Rating: 
Summary: It's About Time...
Review: ...It's about time the studios release more titles of this caliber on DVD instead of belting out hundreds of thousands of copies of Adam Sandler's latest that fill the store's shelves.There are not enough railroad-themed DVD's being released. This IS one of them--but what about Union Pacific, Whispering Smith, Denver & Rio Grande, Emperor of the North and Silver Streak? Trains are not just movie props. They are historic records of our mechanical heritage well worth preserving!!! Anyway, this is one of my favorite all-time films going back to my late-night television viewing youth. Here we have 2 western cinema "Tom Destry"'s--James Stewart and Audie Murphy--as brothers. How appropriate!! One struggles for good as the injustice of life reduces him to an accordian-playing drifter (Stewart) and the other (Murphy) takes glee in seeing the faces of those he robs. Add Brandon De Wilde as a youth drawn to the 2 brothers and who must choose good or evil as his path and Paul Fix's comic releif as a frisky track layer (here with Ellen Corby; he did the same in Denver & Rio Grande as an engineer with Zasu Pitts). Dan Duryea's over-the-top portrayal as the gang's leader is worth the price of admission alone. They don't make movies like this anymore. There's so much more, as well: A nice price and good letterbox transfer reproduction. The autumn Colorado mountain cinematography is incredible (especially the scene onboard the flatcar of the train as it winds its way up the mountain). A memorable Dimitri Tiomkin score with 2 original songs and Jimmy Stewart sings and plays the accordion (Be kind!!!). Jimmy's bitter demeanor seems to draw the sympathetic love interest of 2 female leads (3 if you include jack-ass totting "Miss Vittles"). It's like watching TV Land with Ellen Corby a.k.a. Grandma Walton and two famous TV dads--Hugh Beaumont and Herbert Anderson--fathers of the Beaver and Dennis the Menace. The best line of the film (comic or otherwise) goes to veteran western baddie Jack Elam. As gang leader Duryea puts the moves on the kidnapped wife of railroad supervisor Jay C. Flippen, a gang member asks Elam if Duryea thinks she's pivate property to which Elam immediately replies, "If he tries to split that up like he divides the loot, there's going to be shooting". Scenes in the trailer use footage not used or from different angles than the feature (Note how in the film Jimmy talks about Joey's (DeWilde's) soul to brother Audie in a much softer tone than in the trailer). Corny? Yes, maybe; but a great DVD to add to your collection.
Rating: 
Summary: How to scrape the bottom of the barrel...
Review: ...or how the western was killed! Universal here really scrapes the bottom of the western barrel. Not even the great James Stewart can hold this dead all alone. It is not just a matter of lack of ideas: the whole conception is bad and useless. About the video: colors are often alterated, so the quality is not that good... Forget about it.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't overlook Jimmy Stewart when it comes to westerns.
Review: A lot of people seem to dismiss Jimmy Stewart as a serious western actor because of the good-natured "aw shucks" style he conveyed in the movies he made prior to World War II. But Stewart served in WW II in the dangerous role of a bomber pilot, and the experience clearly toughened the image he portrayed in the series of westerns he made after the war. Night Passage is a very good western and the role Stewart portrays is far tougher than the amiable character he played in the pre-war comedic western Destry Rides Again. Another thing I like about Night Passage is that it features a fine performance, as Stewart's outlaw brother, by Audie Murphy -- WW II's most decorated soldier, and a much better actor than the B movies he most often appeared in gave him a chance to show. Still another interesting aspect of Night Passage is a significant role for Brandon de Wilde -- a fine young actor who, regrettably, is all but forgotten except for his role as the boy Joey in Shane. Then there's Dan Duryea in an over-the-top performance as the ruthless leader of a band of train robbers. For some reason Night Passage has never achieved the recognition it's script, cast, and performances deserve. I hope its release on DVD will help cure this oversight. If you like westerns, please give Night Passage a try.
Rating:
Summary: One of the hidden westerns gems!
Review: Cain and Abel once more work out for this western. Stewart works for the railroad and his brother belongs to a gang which is planning to rob train payroll.
This story turns around the ancestral myth of two brothers who live exactly opposite proposals.
Stewart made a credible role and Audie Murpphy is unforgettable too with this plot.
Believe or not this western - to me - has been underestimated, but it well deserves for you a sight. May be you 'll be surprised.
The climax is superb and towering.
Rating:
Summary: The Original Anti-Hero?
Review: Everyone talks about Clint Eastwood making it okay to root for the bad guy in the Westerns. Audie Murphy was making movie goers cheer fo the "man in the black hat" YEARS before the Spaghetti Westerns. Murphy's portrayal of Lee, The Uttica Kid, in "Night Passage" is so enjoyable, that you'll smile -- even as he's stabbing his big brother Grant (Jimmy Stewart) in the back. Dan Duryea gives another great performance as an egotistical, over-the-top bad dude (shouldn't there be a special Oscar category for this?). Mr. Stewart is wonderful as the straight-laced older brother who is looking to bring his brother back to the path of righteousness, and save his reputation at the same time. I've already pre-ordered this item and believe me, my old video tape of "Night Passage" will be relieved to be retired~!
Rating:
Summary: The Original Anti-Hero?
Review: Everyone talks about Clint Eastwood making it okay to root for the bad guy in the Westerns. Audie Murphy was making movie goers cheer fo the "man in the black hat" YEARS before the Spaghetti Westerns. Murphy's portrayal of Lee, The Uttica Kid, in "Night Passage" is so enjoyable, that you'll smile -- even as he's stabbing his big brother Grant (Jimmy Stewart) in the back. Dan Duryea gives another great performance as an egotistical, over-the-top bad dude (shouldn't there be a special Oscar category for this?). Mr. Stewart is wonderful as the straight-laced older brother who is looking to bring his brother back to the path of righteousness, and save his reputation at the same time. I've already pre-ordered this item and believe me, my old video tape of "Night Passage" will be relieved to be retired~!
Rating: 
Summary: Jimmy plays the harmonica and sings.
Review: I counted 5 instances of this before I fell asleep. Not his best outing.
Rating:
Summary: I Would Pass On Night Passage
Review: I viewed this film for the first time and was very disappointed. The story is not very good and I wished James Stewart got rid of that stupid accordian. I like James Stewart in films like Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington and Destry Rides Again with Marlene Dietrich. This film lacks many qualities and does not come across as a film destined to be classic. I think the main distraction is the constant singing by James Stewart (Who is not a singer by any stretch of the imagination) and the playing of the accordian. I didn't get any feeling for the characters. The film comes across as a 'B' film. Not one Jame's best I'm afraid. Some of the scenery is nice, but a film needs more than scenery.
Rating:
Summary: Very good but unjustly-overlooked western.
Review: Jimmy Stewart served in World War II in the dangerous role of a bomber pilot, and the experience clearly toughened the image he portrayed in the series of westerns he made after the war. Night Passage is a very good western and the role Stewart portrays is far tougher than the amiable character he played in the pre-war comedic western Destry Rides Again. Another thing I like about Night Passage is that it features a fine performance, as Stewart's outlaw brother, by Audy Murphie -- WW II's most decorated soldier, and a much better actor than the B movies he most often appeared in gave him a chance to show. Still another interesting aspect of Night Passage is a significant role for Brandon de Wilde -- a fine young actor who, regrettably, is all but forgotten except for his role as the boy Joey in Shane. Then there's Dan Duryea in an over-the-top performance as the ruthless leader of a band of train robbers. For some reason Night Passage has never achieved the recognition it's script, cast, and performances deserve. I hope its release on DVD will help cure this oversight. If you like westerns, please give Night Passage a try.
Rating:
Summary: SUPERB STEWART WESTERN
Review: Night Passage is a classic western from an era when James Stewart stars as an accordion toting cowboy out to regain his good name and his younger brother, a kid gone bad portrayed by Audie Murphy. Stewart is out to deliver the railroad's payroll, redeem his brother, save the kid (Brandon DeWilde of Shane fame), and, though not his major motive, get the girl. He scores on every count. Though predictable in its story, Night Passage is absolutely watchable and enjoyable. James Stewart is irresistible in a role not unlike others he had in Winchester '73, The Man from Laramie and Destry Rides Again. Audie Murphy is wonderful as the man in black who can't resist Stewart's renditions on the accordion of their father's favorite folk songs. Add the panoramic beauty of the west and you have a winner. Douglas McAllister
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