Book i rogers rangers, american adventure film, released in 1940, that deals with events of the french and indian war, a theme rarely explored in film. One of the major stars of hollywoods golden age, tracy won two academy awards for best actor from nine nominations, sharing the record for nominations in the category with laurence olivier. Northwest passage is a 1940 technicolor film, starring spencer tracy, robert young, walter brennan, ruth hussey, and others. Love or hate him, rogers has close connections to portsmouth, nh. Here are 30 of his very best, intended as a tribute to the great spencer tracy. Shot mostly outside in technicolor, the film feels like its from a different era then its really from. Northwest passage by jack conway, king vidor jack conway. Tracy was a difficult and hyperactive child with poor. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing northwest passage near you.
In february 2020, the film was shown at the 70th berlin international film festival, as part of a retrospective dedicated to king vidors career. Spencer tracy and a stellar supporting cast grab muskets, gun powder and knives, and head out for adventure in northwest passage, a lavish technicolor retelling of french and indian war heroics. The fictional portsmouth natives quickly head west to the new york territory and join the rangers, run by a nonfiction new hampshire man named robert rogers played by spencer tracy. Tracy plays truelife explorer major robert rogers, leader of the celebrated rogers rangers fighting force that took on one of the most challenging expeditions in military history. Within this 37year career, tracy starred in 75 feature films and several short films. Nearly dead from attacks, starvation, and arduous treks through wild, inhospitable territory, the rangers at last reach their destination. Tracy plays truelife explorer major robert rogers, the intrepid leader of the celebrated rogers rangers fighting. Spencer tracy is the charismatic robert rogers, who created the rangers under british command. Written by howard emmett rogers, based on a story by james edward grant, the film is about a government agent working undercover traveling across the country with an unsuspecting woman, hoping she will lead him to her gang of jewel thieves.
He was the consumate movie actor and created many indelible screen characterizations over his wonderful career. They join major robert rogers spencer tracy, who offers them the chance to go farther west and paint indians if they become rangers and. Spencer tracy, robert young, and walter brennan star in this story of rogers rangers, the fighting frontiersmen from the frenchindian war. I found it quite enlightening, and i both enjoyed it and learned quite a bit. Its a rousing adventure to be sure, with solid acting and good period flavor, but filled with such virulent antiamerican indian racism that it nearly ruins what should have been an exciting film. Northwest passage is an historical novel by kenneth roberts, published in 1937. Based on kenneth roberts bestseller, tracy plays truelife explorer major robert rogers, the intrepid leader of the celebrated rogers rangers fighting force that took on one of the most challenging expeditions in military history. The show is actually titled northwest passage, book 1 rogers rangers, with the idea that a book two would continue the story. Gory details as major rogers spencer tracy tells his rangers, with extra testimony from crofton addison richards, why they need to kill some indians, on the shores of lake champlain in northwest passage, 1940. Northwest passage book irogers rangers 1940 overview.
Northwest passage is not among my favorite pictures but place it side by side with frontier rangers and its an object lesson in not only the aesthetic results of severely constraining the budget, but the very one dimensional output of a film due to the limited and constricted imaginations of those who planned to make this stuff in the first place. A grand mgm production that in a way is low key at the same time. Washingtons fears proved correct, as an infuriated rogers formed a group called the queens rangers later the kings rangers and fought on the side of the canadians against the revolutionary forces. Spencer tracy as major robert rogers in northwest passage. Mar, 20 spencer tracy northwest passage 01051940 ct1857 general view photograph. I assume that anyone who has seen either the spencer tracy movie of the same name or the tv series northwest passage will think of major robert rogers as an american herofounding father as well as the originator of the army rangers. Sep 30, 2014 helping rogers, an experienced explorer and indian fighter, were hunk marriner, another experienced indian fighter, and langdon towne, a harvard graduate who was the map maker. The next morning, they awake and they have been pressganged into rogers rangers.
The director, on only his second movie, was elia kazan, who turned out to be one of the greats. Spencer tracys acting is compelling and natural as rogers, a man who remains. Drafted into rogers elite force, often compared to the modern green berets, langdon and. He is the original ranger, the pioneer of what became special forces in the american military tradition, and he invented much of what our armed services call s. Spencer tracy and katharine hepburn were one of the great pairs from hollywoods golden age, appearing in nine films together. Mgms 1940 movie is based on the first, and in my opinion, better part of the book. Apr 23, 2019 the ticonderoga historical society is set to open its 2019 free movie series with a showing of the classic spencer tracy film northwest passage on april 26th the 1940 early technicolor film is based on the 1937 bestselling historical novel by the same name, authored by kenneth roberts, from a serialized version that had previously run in the saturday evening post. Sadly, as is the way with legends, his life has been the subject of dubious story telling, such as in the 1940 film, northwest passage with spencer tracy as rogers and, recently, with angus macfadyen as a twisted sociopath rogers in the amc television series turn. Spencer tracy and a stellar supporting cast grab muskets, gun. It was based on the first part of kenneth robertss 1937 novel of the same name.
Spencer tracey played rogers rangers in the 1940 film northwest passage. Nov 18, 2011 spencer tracy and a stellar supporting cast grab muskets, gun powder and knives, and head out for adventure in northwest passage, a lavish technicolor retelling of french and indian war heroics. Tracy is superb as rogers, an inspiring leader who carries our attention and commands respect throughout the movie. Northwest passage is an excellent and exciting film based upon the first part of. They come across spencer tracy rogers in the wilderness and get drunk on rum. Allstar rogers leads his men to the frenchallied abenaki village of st francis. Rogers and his rangers contributed their share to the dark side of special.
Northwest passage 1940 stream and watch online moviefone. Helping rogers, an experienced explorer and indian fighter, were hunk marriner, another experienced indian fighter, and langdon towne, a harvard graduate who was the map maker. Whipsaw is a 1935 american crime drama film directed by sam wood and starring myrna loy and spencer tracy. As rogers, spencer tracy gives a powerhouse performance, king vidor delivers the directorial goods, and the storyline, itself, is very exciting. Troubles begin for the sterlings when they buy an expensive car. He and his friend hunk walter brennan meet major robert rogers spencer tracy and join his perilous mission to wipe out a hostile indian tribe. Northwest passage book i rogers rangers is a film directed by king vidor with spencer tracy, robert young, walter brennan, ruth hussey, year. Spencer tracy, robert young, walter brennan, ruth hussey, king vidor. I first heard about them when i saw the old spencer tracy movie northwest passage.
Both actors do a wonderful job of playing an interesting character. With spencer tracy, robert young, walter brennan, ruth hussey. However, he is a rather foolish loudmouth of a drunk and just manages to avoid getting pressganged before he goes on the run with walter brennan hunk. Book irogers rangers, american adventure film, released in 1940, that deals with events of the french and indian war, a theme rarely explored in film.
Northwest passage, 1940 rogers rangers film showing in ti april 23, 2019 by editorial staff leave a comment the ticonderoga historical society is set to open its 2019 free movie series with a showing of the classic spencer tracy film northwest passage on april 26th. The ticonderoga historical society is set to open its 2019 free movie series with a showing of the classic spencer tracy film northwest passage on april 26th the 1940 early technicolor film is based on the 1937 bestselling historical novel by the same name, authored by kenneth roberts, from a serialized version that had previously run in the saturday evening post. The film is also a hard lesson to filmmakers about the risks of designing a multipart movie. Eventually, they come to a tavern where they meet captain robert rogers a greenclad spencer tracy who gangpresses them into joining rogers rangers, fighting in the frenchindian war and destroying the abenakis tribe, after he learns that towne is an excellent cartographer and knows about the elusive northwest passage. The picture is based on a novel by kenneth roberts titled northwest passage 1937. Northwest passage, 1940 rogers rangers film showing in ti. The story is based on true events that are hollywoodized. Apr 20, 2019 the ticonderoga historical society is set to open its 2019 free movie series with a showing of the classic spencer tracy film northwest passage on april 26th the 1940 early technicolor film is based on the 1937 bestselling historical novel by the same name, authored by kenneth roberts, from a serialized version that had previously run in the saturday evening post. Dec 06, 2017 a quick look at rogers rangers, americas most famous early special operations unit. Spencer tracy and his rangers on a grueling adventure trying to find the northwest passage 1940. Spencer tracy stars in this epic adventure story following the exploits of rogers rangers, a collection of brave and hearty men during the french and indian. Major rogers spencer tracy takes out a dog with a tomahawk and some distance, as his crew moves in for just a portion of the slaughter of abenakis, as orchestrated by king vidor in northwest passage, 1940.
These greenclad frontiersmen served as the eyes and ears of the british army during the french and indian war, and played an integral role in englands conquest of new france. Francis by rogers rangers, the film is said to be quite accurate, except for the end. A quick look at rogers rangers, americas most famous early special operations unit. A harvard man robert young and his colonial friend join rogers rangers in upstate new york. Washington suspected that after rogers long stay in britain prior to the outbreak of hostilities that he might be a spy. Based on kenneth roberts bestseller, tracy plays truelife explorer major robert rogers, the intrepid leader of the celebrated rogers rangers fighting force that took on one of the most. Spencer tracys acting is compelling and natural as rogers, a man who remains unknown to many americans and enigmatic for many more. Of course, great by the end of the episode, rogers led his fellow pows in a breakout. Sep 18, 20 spencer tracy and a stellar supporting cast grab muskets, gun powder and knives, and head out for adventure in northwest passage, a lavish technicolor retelling of french and indian war heroics. Francis, an abenaki village, during the french and indian war. Filmed just before america entered world war ii, northwest passage is a thinly disguised recruitment poster. Stephens heard them coming and retreated, thinking they were french troops. Praised as americas first great national hero, robert rogers formed a crack militia to ward off indian attacks.
Based on kenneth roberts bestseller, legendary filmmaker king vidor tells the story of truelife explorer major robert rogers tracy, intrepid leader of the celebrated rogers rangers fighting force that took on one of the most challenging expeditions in military history, fighting against the british during the french and indian war. For many, many years i have heard about rogers rangers. Northwest passage 1940 movie clip those red helions. Spencer bonaventure tracy april 5, 1900 june 10, 1967 was an american actor, known for his natural performing style and versatility. Yes, it has spencer tracy, and yes it was well acted.
He played a character based on arnold rothstein in an early film for fox, and henry morton stanley in stanley and livingston, and rogers of rogers rangers in northwest passage, and clarence darrow henry drummond in inherit the wind, and the captain of the mayflower in plymouth adventure. Spencer tracy was born four years after his brother carroll to truck salesman john edward and caroline brown tracy. Northwest passage 1940 movie clip rogers rangers airing. His mother was a presbyterian from a wealthy midwestern family, while his father was of irish catholic descent. Rogers rangers, the green berets of colonial america, are recognized as one of the finest fighting forces the world has ever known. But he also fought against american patriots in the revolution. It is a sortof buddy movie, with robert young and walter brennan as the sortof buddies. Northwest passage book i rogers rangers 1940 filmaffinity. Northwest passage 1940 movie clip rogers rangers major rogers spencer tracy takes out a dog with a tomahawk and some distance, as his crew moves in for just a portion of the slaughter of abenakis, as orchestrated by king vidor in northwest passage, 1940. The movie is really about the french and indian war and the exploits of rogers rangers, a welltrained guerilla fighting group. Overview of northwest passage book i rogers rangers, 1940, directed by king vidor, with spencer tracy, robert young, walter brennan, at turner classic movies. Northwest passage, 1940 rogers rangers film showing in ti the. Rogers rangers movie night in ticonderoga the adirondack.
This one is based on a 1936 novel by conrad richter, reckoned a considerable literary light in his time. Northwest passage is a 1940 technicolor film, starring spencer tracy, robert young, walter. One of the greatest actors of all time, tracy was so far ahead of his time and there was never a false note in any of his performances. Langdon towne and hunk marriner join major rogers rangers as they wipe out an. It can be argued, however, that the film is merely representative of the prevailing. Northwest passage 1940 movie clip abenaki tomahawks. He attended marquette academy along with pat obrien and the two left school to enlist in the navy at the start of world war i. He was still at norfolk navy yard in virginia at the end of the war.
The bravados classic western, full movie, gregory peck, english. Told through the eyes of primary character langdon towne, much of the novel follows the exploits and character of robert rogers, the leader of rogers rangers, who were a colonial force fighting with the british during the french and indian war. His film career began in 1930, with up the river, and ended in 1967 with guess whos coming to dinner. The two men join rogers rangers and adventure of the first order ensues. Northwest passage dvdr 1940 warner archive collection. Based on kenneth robertss 1937 novel, this rousing tribute to rogers rangers, a guerrilla unit attached to the british army during the french and indian war, stars spencer tracy as the toughminded robert rogers.
Released 1940, northwest passage stars spencer tracy, robert young, walter brennan, ruth hussey the movie has a runtime of about 2 hr 6 min, and received a score of out of 100 on metacritic. The ticonderoga historical society is set to open its 2019 free movie series with a showing of the classic spencer tracy film northwest. They escape and encounter frontier soldier robert rogers spencer tracy and subsequently join rogers rangers, an elite group of frontiersmen who fought. Northwest passage 1940 northwest passage 1940 user. Northwest passage original theatrical trailer youtube.
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