Bend of the River poster

1952·91 min·Released

Bend of the River

“The greatness... the glory... the fury... of the Northwest Frontier!”

Western
Adventure

Two men with questionable pasts, Glyn McLyntock and his friend Cole, lead a wagon-train load of homesteaders from Missouri to the Oregon territory...

7.0(213 votes)

Popularity2

Videos

Bend of the River (1952) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]

Cast & Crew

James Stewart

James Stewart

Glyn McLyntock

Arthur Kennedy

Arthur Kennedy

Emerson Cole

Julie Adams

Julie Adams

Laura Baile

Rock Hudson

Rock Hudson

Trey Wilson

Jay C. Flippen

Jay C. Flippen

Jeremy Baile

Lori Nelson

Lori Nelson

Marjie Baile

Chubby Johnson

Chubby Johnson

Cap'n Mello

Stepin Fetchit

Stepin Fetchit

Adam

Harry Morgan

Harry Morgan

Shorty

Howard Petrie

Howard Petrie

Tom Hendricks

Frances Bavier

Frances Bavier

Mrs. Prentiss

Jack Lambert

Jack Lambert

Red

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John Chard

Written on 7/21/2015

Biscuits, apples and the troubled past. The second of five genre defining Westerns that director Anthony Mann made with James Stewart, Bend Of The River was the first one to be made in colour. The slick screenplay is written by Borden Chase, adapted from William Gulick's novel "Bend Of The Snake," with support for Stewart coming from Arthur Kennedy, Julie Adams, Rock Hudson & Jay C. Flippen. Stewart plays guide Glyn McLyntock who in 1847 is leading a wagon - train of homesteaders from troubled Missouri to the Oregon Territory. What the group are hoping for is a new start, a paradise, with McLyntock himself hoping for a new identity to escape his own troubled past. Unfortunately, after rescuing Emerson Cole (Kennedy) from a lynching, it's an act that once McLyntock and the group get to Portland turns out to have far reaching consequences. In typical Anthony Mann style, McLyntock is a man tested to the maximum as he seeks to throw off his shackles and find a new redemption within a peaceful community. Cloaked in what would be become Mann's trademark stunning vistas (cinematography courtesy of Irving Glassberg), Bend Of The River is often thought of as the lighter tale from the Stewart/Mann partnership. This is most likely because it has more action and no little amount of comedy in the mix, yet although it's a simple story in essence, it is however given a hard boiled and psychological edge by the makers. An edge that asks searching questions of the "hero" in waiting. Can "McLyntock" indeed escape his past? And as a "hero" is it OK to use violence when he is wronged? This is potent stuff that is acted with tremendous gravitas by Stewart. One of the main plus points on offer is that of having a strong cast operating within. It's thrilling for a Western fan to see Stewart and Kenendy side by side, particularly as the screenplay provides them much opportunities for machismo play. There's also a surprise in store, further allowing two fine actors of their era to solidify the film's credentials. Flippen is a reassuring presence, overseeing things like a genre uncle, Hudson rocks up for some dandy dude duties who joins in the gun play, and Adams (here billed as Julia Adams) is beautifully vivid under Glassberg's colour lenses. Bend of the River is very much a recommended picture, as in fact are the other four films on the Mann/Stewart CV. 7.5/10

CinemaSerf

Written on 9/9/2022

Jimmy Stewart ("McLyntock") is great in this grand-scale western as a gent, with his pal "Cole" (Arthur Kennedy) who leads a group of settlers through the wilds of Oregon. As the hard winter approaches, the pair set off to obtain their winter supplies but fall foul of some crooked officials in Portland. They end up having to shoot their way out of town, with a bit of help from Rock Hudson ("Wilson") but that's the just the start of his troubles. The scenery is spectacular and, together with a rousing score from Hans Salter creates a good framework for a story that demonstrates the true pioneering spirit of these homesteaders, as well as plenty of more human failings - a fair smattering of greed, envy, and betrayal. It packs loads of story into 90 minutes, with some strong characterisations and even the romance is kept to a functional minimum! Plenty to like here...

Media

Bend of the River (1952) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]

Bend of the River (1952) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]