Kansas Pacific (1953)

Сюжет кино: The cover of this DVD is a bit misleading, as it would indicate a more modern era western. It was in fact made in 1953, and is a very traditional sage brush saga. Sterling Hayden lends his considerable presence to the role of a Union army engineer sent out to speed up work on the Kansas Pacific railroad, which is being hampered by Confederate sympathisers, just before the outbreak of the Civil War. The leader of the confederate gang is called William Quantrill, who is clearly based on the real confederate guerilla fighter of that name. The film is pretty routine, with the exception of some pyrotechnics that are well above the average, which is where the director Ray Nazarro, seems to have used the extra budget he was allocated by Walter Wanger. "Shooting the Money" as they say in the time honoured Hollywood tradition. Unfortunately the rest of the film is very B western looking, with only Hayden, and his main support Barton MacLane being well known faces, although "Lone Ranger" Clayton Moore turns up in a small role.
It was a great pity that Sterling Hayden was not able to forge a greater career in Hollywood. He is certainly the best thing about this film. Sadly his involvement in giving evidence during the McCarthy era damaged his career irreparably. Whilst others like Dalton Trumbo was jailed for refusing to give evidence, and hailed later as a hero, Hayden was long vilified. Hayden later apologised openly for his behaviour at the time, and was admired by no less a person than John Huston for his honesty. Sadly there is not too much to admire in this DVD. Strictly routine, and only really for the western completist.