Vashirdfel Simply A Masterpiece

Micitype Pretty Good

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Errington_92 Fritz Lang is better known and regarded for his work in German Expressionism and Thrillers. Films such as Metropolis, M and The Big Heat are some of the impressive works that asserted Lang as a major presence within cinema history. Yet I feel more of his lesser – acclaimed work should be discussed. One such film being Western Union, a western full of character and dynamic situations.The main plot line focuses on the beginnings of the Western Union, a company setting up telegraph poles across the west in order for faster communication to the east. This shows the building of modernisation in an area which was still untamed. It is spearheaded by Edward Creighton (Dean Jagger) who's happy at the fact that his dream is materialising. But Western Union is not solely about one man and his dream of modernisation. In fact the main plot line sets itself as a juxtaposition of change which the main characters want to happen within themselves. This desire for change fuels the drama in the film's narrative. This is first shown with Vance Shaw (Randolph Scott) who works as the deuteragonist throughout the narrative. He goes from being moraless to a man of kindness after finding Creighton injured. At first Shaw questions his sudden change in character, muttering to himself he's like Santa Claus. But Shaw soon amerces himself into the role of the good guy by working alongside Creighton for Western Union. Shaw's desire for change creates personal conflict within himself and his old accomplice Jack (Barton MacLane), who along with his gang attempt to use Shaw in their intention to destroy the telegraph poles for the confederacy. Although this is not historically accurate, it enforces the juxtaposition of change. Shaw wants to change for the better whilst his old gang want to aid the confederacy in their own quest for change in America. We also see a desire of change in Richard Blake (Robert Young), a young eastern man from an established family trying to prove himself as the opposite of a tenderfoot as he is referred too.A significant scene of Blake transforming his image is when he is challenged to ride the most stubborn horse from the stables. Dressed in western style attire he brought from the east it creates the notion that Blake is acting pretentious for the real citizens of the frontier. Yet after huge resistance from the horse Blake manages to assert the horse to his control. This scene shows the enhancement of change not only in Blake's personality but also in the opinion of others, most importantly Creighton's sister Sue (Virginia Gilmore). Impressed by his skills this creates a love triangle between herself, Blake and Shaw which is not only works as a comical aspect in the narrative but also a way of Blake and Shaw trying to prove themselves to Sue which relates to their own personal changes. However in attempting to change it results in Blake and Shaw being marred into tragedy. When up against a group of drunk Indians Shaw does his best to diffuse any tension without resorting to violence. However Blake, still inexperienced and wanting to prove himself to others goes for his gun and shots an Indian dead. Blake's actions against the Indian show his eagerness to change into a more masculine figure but at the cost of an unjustified death. However when Blake next resorts to his weapon, it is not only justified but concludes his transition from inexperienced easterner to a masculine westerner.After destroying the majority of Western Union's goods Shaw seeks revenge by having a shoot out with his old gang. This results in tragic consequences for Shaw who redeems himself at the cost of his life. This is when Blake arrives to seek justice by gunning down Shaw's killer Jack in a one on one shootout. On the surface it comes off as a typical western finale, the heroic figure triumphing over evil. But deep within it concludes Blake's transition, no longer the tenderfoot everyone thought he was.Western Union sums up the transitions of change as a fruition of a better future. Creighton's plan of modernisation is complete along with Blake's new experience benefiting his life from there on in. Even if Shaw's transition ended in his death it certainly was not in vain, "It's a long way from Salt Lake City to Boot Hill in Elkville, but I think he can hear it".

Thomas Woodrow Wilson I first saw this film in the theater way back in the 40s when I was a kid and always remembered the ending. There is nothing like the first impression but some movies are always a treat each time they are viewed. Something just resonates with them. This is one of those films and I agree with another reviewer who said Fritz Lang should have directed more westerns. To add to it I have always liked Randolph Scott and Robert Young. In fact, Robert Young stars in what I consider my favorite movie if I have to name just one, not an easy thing to do. That film is Northwest Passage. It led me to the superb historical novels of Kenneth Roberts. Western Union likewise led me to reading Zane Grey's novel which, in this case turned out to be one of those rare cases where I like the movie better than the novel. Not that Grey's novel is a bad one; I just like the movie story better. The movie in no way resembles the novel. It is a completely different tale, one of the biggest departures from a book I have seen.I can't add much to the other reviews except to say I agree with many of them. I, too, wish it would be released on DVD. "Whatever happened to Randolph Scott happened to the best of me."

alexandre michel liberman (tmwest) Now we use the internet and cell phones, but in 1941 when this film was released people still depended on the telegraph. Western Union tells the story of the people who were bringing the telegraph to the west. They all knew the Morse Code and we even learn that the word O.K. originated from them. Robert Young is the tenderfoot and Randolph Scott the tough man of the west. They both fall in love with Virginia Gilmore, the sister of the boss, Dean Jaggger. Scott is a former outlaw who is working for the company and has an inner conflict between his friendship to his old pals and his loyalty to Jagger. The same plot showed up in another Scott movie, Santa Fe. Fritz Lang did two unconventional westerns "The Return of Frank James" and "Rancho Notorious" but this western which can be considered conventional is the best of the three. The first scene, with Scott running away from a posse and passing through a herd of buffaloes is spectacular. The shootout at the end is very impressive. This film did not age, specially if you compare it with other westerns Scott made in those years.

smithy-8 Fritz Lang directed two great westerns: "Western Union" and "The Return of Frank James". The Frank James movie equals "Jesse James". "Western Union" is one of Randolph Scott's great westerns. I have never seen Robert Young in a western before; he is terrific as the telegraph employee. This is the only movie I can think of that is about the telegraph company opening up in the west. It is a high-geared story about the telegraph in the west, a triangle love story, and about loyalty. The supporting cast is superb. Dean Jagger, who made a few westerns, plays the telegraph manager. Virginia Gilmore, who plays Mr. Jagger's sister, is the love interest in the movie. Ms. Gilmore had a short career in movies. She quit films in 1952 and became a drama coach. She is primarily known as the first Mrs. Yul Brynner. It is great to see Slim Summerville in a movie with Mr. Scott again. They were in two other great movies: "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" and "Jesse James".