IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.4K
YOUR RATING
In 1862, Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads compete westward across the wilderness toward California.In 1862, Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads compete westward across the wilderness toward California.In 1862, Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads compete westward across the wilderness toward California.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 4 wins & 1 nomination total
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe gold spike used at the ceremony to mark the end of the construction was the same spike used in the May 10, 1869 event, on loan from Stanford University.
- GoofsThe golden spike ceremony shown in the movie is not true. The golden spike was lowered into an auger hole not driven. Gold is a soft metal and striking it as they did in the movie would have severely damaged it. The original golden spike now at Stanford University shows no mallet marks on the head.
- Quotes
Jeff Butler: [informing Mollie that her husband Dick Allen is dead] He'll be waiting for us... at the end of track.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Fejezetek a film történetéböl: Amerikai filmtípusok - A western (1989)
- SoundtracksThe Rose of St. Louis
(uncredited)
Written by Stephan Pasternacki and Sigmund Krumgold
Sung by Sheila Darcy in the St. Louis saloon
Featured review
This time Cecil B. DeMille finds his mark
Well, you know Cecil B. DeMille. He liked making big, sweeping, spectacular movies. He wanted to create epics, sparing no expense, and get lots of people watching them in theaters. But I had this prejudice that going for a broad appeal made his movies a bit trite. In that sense, I'm happy to say that Union Pacific exceeded my expectations in a way that The Plainsman did not.
The movie starts similar to The Plainsman, in Washington after the Civil War, with politicians turning their eyes to the West, in this case to the railroad destined to join the two coasts. The purpose of these scenes, of course, is to emphasize the historical importance of the story. DeMille is creating an epic narrative here, subscribing to the notion os Manifest Destiny exactly like he did in the Plainsman.
Then we are introduced to the main characters, and still it seems like this is going to go the same way of The Plainsman, where there was a certain lack of narrative focus, because of trying to include too much material in the story. As this movie goes on, however, it finds its focus, and manages to combine spectacular action with a focused character-driven story.
We do get a feeling of the epic and historical narrative DeMille is going for, but we also get some pathos in the characters' stories, with two friends that find themselves fighting on different sides of the conflict, and at the same time competing for the love of the same woman. Don't miss scenes like the tense showdown after the robbery.
Once you get over her exaggerated Irish accent, Barbara Stanwyck is excellent, feminine following the standards of her time, but far from a helpless damsel. Joel McCrea brings less to the table as the square-jawed hero, although his unexpressive toughness does the job for his role. Robert Preston is quite good in his supporting role, as McCrea's friend now turned crook.
As expected, I was entertained, but I also could get invested in the story in a way that I couldn't with The Plainsman. I have no doubt that, while based on a real epic like the Transcontinental Railroad project, it takes many liberties and completely disregards historical accuracy in order to create dramatism and conflict. But I know that and I accept it as long as the story is worth it. And this one is.
The movie starts similar to The Plainsman, in Washington after the Civil War, with politicians turning their eyes to the West, in this case to the railroad destined to join the two coasts. The purpose of these scenes, of course, is to emphasize the historical importance of the story. DeMille is creating an epic narrative here, subscribing to the notion os Manifest Destiny exactly like he did in the Plainsman.
Then we are introduced to the main characters, and still it seems like this is going to go the same way of The Plainsman, where there was a certain lack of narrative focus, because of trying to include too much material in the story. As this movie goes on, however, it finds its focus, and manages to combine spectacular action with a focused character-driven story.
We do get a feeling of the epic and historical narrative DeMille is going for, but we also get some pathos in the characters' stories, with two friends that find themselves fighting on different sides of the conflict, and at the same time competing for the love of the same woman. Don't miss scenes like the tense showdown after the robbery.
Once you get over her exaggerated Irish accent, Barbara Stanwyck is excellent, feminine following the standards of her time, but far from a helpless damsel. Joel McCrea brings less to the table as the square-jawed hero, although his unexpressive toughness does the job for his role. Robert Preston is quite good in his supporting role, as McCrea's friend now turned crook.
As expected, I was entertained, but I also could get invested in the story in a way that I couldn't with The Plainsman. I have no doubt that, while based on a real epic like the Transcontinental Railroad project, it takes many liberties and completely disregards historical accuracy in order to create dramatism and conflict. But I know that and I accept it as long as the story is worth it. And this one is.
helpful•00
- alv790
- Dec 6, 2020
- How long is Union Pacific?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $1,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 15 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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