NORTHWEST PASSAGE

US, 1940, 125 minutes, Colour.
Spencer Tracy, Robert Young, Walter Brennan, Ruth Hussey.
Directed by King Vidor.

Northwest Passage is based on the first part of a very popular book by Kenneth Roberts on Major Rogers and the Rogers Rangers. They operated during the French and Indian war prior to independence.

The film focuses on a young man who is critical of authorities, almost sent to jail but meets up with an old veteran, played by Walter Brennan, and goes to join the Rangers. The film shows the pursuit of the Indians, a raid on an Indian village, the retreat of the American troops and the pursuit of them to bring back the supplies.

The film was made on location, in rough conditions – but in spectacular scenery. Spencer Tracy is energetic as Major Rogers. Robert Young is the young artist-critic. Walter Brennan won three Oscars at this time for Come and Get It, Kentucky and, in 1941, The Westerner.

The film was directed by King Vidor who made a name for himself in the silent era with The Big Parade and The Crowd. He made a number of strong dramas during the 1930s including Stella Dallas and was to continue to do this during the 1940s with such films as Wilson and Duel in the Sun. He had a flair for the melodramatic – directing Bette Davis in Beyond the Forest. He directed a number of films during the 1950s including the epic War and Peace as well as Solomon and Sheba.

1. Audience expectations from the title, the book, the film's focus solely on part one of the book?

2. The film as a production of 1940: colour photography, music, location photography, outdoor action? The film considered a classic of outdoor action? Deservedly? For what reasons?

3. Audience interest in the film as a presentation of the 18th century American heritage? A picture of the pre-west?

4. Roger's Rangers and their impact? The film as a tribute to them? to their heroism? Was this tribute overdone for modern taste or was it appropriate? The ethos of Roger's Rangers in the 18th century? Their role as spies and as soldiers? Their daring, the risks that they took? Heroism? The tribute to them in the 1940's and the expectations of a 1940's audience? Is it the same impact now?

5. How important was the 18th century in the formation of American history and the heritage? How did the film emphasise this? The importance of establishing the scene in Portsmouth and its way of life, the port? The American attitude before 1776? Pro-American?, anti-English? The background of Harvard and students studying law in the 18th century? The vicar and his family, the Towne family?

6. The importance and the setting of the theme and introduction of the action in the sequences at the inn, the stocks, the talk of revolution, criticism of the government, the outbreak of violence at the inn, and its repercussion on Towne?

7. How was Towne a focus for the film? His character in its presentation at home, his relationship to his family, his failure at Harvard with his cartoon, with Elizabeth? The encounter with Rogers and helping him with the Indians? Being hijacked into Roger's Rangers? His willingness to join and his eagerness in the expeditions? His skill with the maps, his interest in painting? His contribution to the expedition, his endurance, growing to understand himself and the survival and pain, especially his wound and his determination to go on? What was the nature of his achievement? His praise of the way of life of the rangers? The audience sharing his gaze as Rogers went on further expeditions at the end?

8. Marina and his companionship with Towne? The comic type, his being in the stocks, sharing Towne's exploits, his role in the expedition, his endurance, contribution? Rogers' comment that he was better at the end than he was when he started?

9. How important ww the centra1 character of Rogers? Spencer Tracey's style and performance? The initial encounter with the drunk Indian? Rogers' skill in persuading men to join him? His liaison with the army, the establishment of his rangers and his belief in them? The hard training? The nature of the missions that he undertook? His 18th century commando-like tactics? Did the film explain the man, his character and motivations? His skill at persuading and leading men? Persuading them to endurance, to fight, to endure starvation? His momentary breaking when the supplies were not at the Fort? A man with a vision, courage and endurance? A model for Americans of the 1940s?

10. The presentation of the English and their attitudes towards the Americans? Good and bad? The presentation of the French as enemies? The Indians and their infiltration of both the English and the French? The mutual atrocities? The violence of the raids, feelings of vengeance, the wars? The presentation of violence on both sides? Audience response to this now?

11. The importance of spending so much of the film on the expedition? The way of life in the camp? The details and personalities of the men, their need for commando tactics, endurance of carrying the boat, wading through, the skill in fording the river, the revolt and Rogers' ability to handle men who revolt making the soldiers return to the Port?

12. Their attack on the port and its achievement? The violence of the fighting and the massacre? The reasons for and such a raid? Revenge and vengeance? The mad soldier who took the Indian head?

13. The importance of the visualizing of endurance and courage? The long treks, the starvation? The judgment on breaking up into small parties and the fact that many were captured and tortured to death?

14. The supreme endurance and the final trek, the finding of the port empty, Rogers making them march in as soldiers?

15. How appropriate was the relief force at the ending? Rogers going on further expeditions? Towne and Elizabeth together?

16. The importance of the myths about Rogers as a man and a leader? The values that he stood for?