Simply A Masterpiece

Powerful

Excellent but underrated film

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

RELEASED IN 1952 and directed by Anthony Mann, "Bend of the River" stars James Stewart as wagon master, Glyn McLyntock, who leads pioneers to a remote settlement near Mount Hood, Oregon. When a profit-minded Portland boss confiscates the settlers' winter supplies due to a gold rush, McLyntock teams-up with a good-natured-but-dubious gunman (Arthur Kennedy) and a gentleman gambler (Rock Hudson) to get the supplies to them. Harry Morgan & Royal Dano are on hand as ne'er-do-wells while Julie Adams, Lori Nelson and Frances Bavier appear in feminine roles.This was the second of five Westerns Mann did with Stewart. These were uncompromisingly harsh, psychological Westerns featuring themes of revenge, obsession, rage and redemption. They were spectacularly shot on location, rather than in the studio, providing a backdrop of authentic rugged beauty. In this film you'll often see Mount Hood looming in the distance.A lot of action & events are crammed into an hour and a half, which is great for action fans or those with ADHD. Take, for instance, the opening campout sequence where the Natives waste little time in attacking; or the saloon scene where someone gets fatally shot within minutes. I'm not complaining because I enjoy muscular action, but the downside is that the movie lacks the mundaneness of real life in the Old West. That said, it's highly realistic in that it shows you how tough it was for settlers. Take, for instance, the rough, bumpy trails the wagons had to traverse.In any case, this is a dynamic, tough, psychological early 50's Western with James Stewart. It's atypical and original (although people say it has similarities to 1946' "Canyon Passage, which I've never seen). You just have to acclimate to some old-fashioned hokey elements.THE MOVIE RUNS 91 minutes and was shot in the Columbia River/Mount Hood region of northern Oregon. WRITERS: Borden Chase from William Gulick's novel.GRADE: B

Another example of writer Borden Chase ripping off himself by regurgitating his dialogue from past movies.Jimmy Stewart is totally unlikable as a wagon train guide who conveniently disappears for a couple of hours when it's time to unload the wagons and make camp. Then while all the settlers are toiling in the hot sun, Jimbo is over by the water trough taking a cool sip as he arrogantly throws what he didn't drink into the dirt. My personal favorite of the Jimster's lazy antics is when he makes sure he's at the grub table before anyone else so he can get the first piece of bacon.Boring Anthony Mann-directed western, but at least it's not as bad as 'The Naked Spur'.

Jimmy Stewart and Arthur Kennedy play Glyn McLyntock and Emerson Cole, two friends with mysterious(and questionable) pasts who agree to guide a group of homesteaders from Missouri into Oregon. They make camp outside of Portland as winter arrives, so Glyn and Cole bring them supplies which they will need if they are to survive. The homesteaders(led by Jeremy Baille, played by Jay C. Flippen, and his two daughters, played by Julie Adams & Lori Nelson) become close to Glyn, but Cole isn't so attached, and when they receive a better offer to divert the supplies to gold prospectors, Cole takes the supplies by force from Glyn. Enraged by the betrayal, he vows to kill his former friend, and help the homesteaders.Underrated western is beautifully filmed in color on location, with a compelling story, excellent direction by Anthony Mann, and fine performances, especially Stewart.Makes a fine double feature with "Winchester '73".

The movie holds audience attention throughout, and is more thoughtful than most large-scale full color westerns. It is well-paced, muscular, has Arthur Kennedy acting strongly as a counterbalance to James Stewart, and answers the prime question of whether a man with violent crime in his past can change for the good, and permanently. Or rather, in this instance, two men can both change... Achieving all this might seem a tall order for director Anthony Mann, but it doesn't mean he needs acting depth in a large cast in order to succeed. The thespian qualities on display are pretty much confined to Stewart and Kennedy. The other characters neither demand much ability in front of the camera nor are developed as the viewing moves on. Rock Hudson, as a professional gambler, is a case in point. It was, however, very early in his serviceable career. Julie Adams (appearing on posters as Julia), is the number one love interest, and contributes her wonderfully fresh prettiness and soft, clear voice. Lori Nelson is also engaging near the start of her career. This picture show is engaging and satisfying enough to rate well above average fare.