This is a big budget extravaganza about the building of the transcontinental railroad. It was probably a superior product for its time, but is badly dated in a number of ways by today's standards.
Here are some positives:
Now for the negatives:
Here are some positives:
- I like the basic theme. It 's a mostly unapologetic, upbeat Manifest Destiny movie. The energy and optimism are refreshing after growing up on revisionist Westerns.
- Good Civil War themes
- Classic "frenemy" relationship between Joel McCrea and Robert Preston is well executed.
- Joel McCrea is a very likable leading man.
- However, Robert Preston steals the movie, nailing the "lovable bounder" role.
- Solid supporting performances by Brian Donlevy and a very young Anthony Quinn.
Now for the negatives:
- The plot and characterizations are overly melodramatic. Both protagonists and antagonists are strictly one-dimensional "Dudley Dooright" and "Snidely Whiplash" caricatures.
- The romantic subplot is excruciatingly corny and takes up too much of the movie.
- Barbara Stanwyk has just about the worst fake Irish accent I've ever heard.
- For all the money they spent, there are way to many cheap looking scenes of actors in the studio with an obvious outdoor film running behind them.
- Although typical for its time, the way Indian and Mexican characters are used as comic relief is offensive.
- It's way too long.
- There are numerous plot holes not worth detailing.