The Jayhawkers [Blu-ray]

Director: Melvin Frank Melvin Frank

Overview

Set in the Kansas territory during the middle of the 19th century, this is a visually evocative but conventional western. The story deals with Darcy (Jeff Chandler), a ruthless man, one of the raiders known as "Jayhawkers" who wants more than what life is willing to offer. Starting out as anti-slavery activists, the Jayhawkers' origins are barely mentioned in the story, as Darcy uses them to support his growing power. Opposing his unscrupulous bid for control of the region is Cam (Fess Parker, of Davy Crockett fame on American TV) an ex-convict. Cam knows that Darcy is responsible for the death of his wife while he was in prison and he plans to bring him down.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/24/2012
UPC:	0887090038409
Original Release:	1959
Rating:	NR
Source:	Olive
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Language:	English
Time:	1:40:00
Sales rank:	17,395

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Fess Parker	Cam Bleeker
Jeff Chandler	Luke Darcy
Nicole Maurey	Jeanne Dubois
Henry Silva	Lordan
Herbert Rudley	Gov. William Clayton
Frank de Kova	Evans
Don Megowan	China
Leo Gordon	Jake
Shari Lee Bernath	Marthe
Jimmy Carter	Paul

Technical Credits

Melvin Frank	Producer,Director
Norman Panama	Producer

Editorial Reviews

The Jayhawkers is an okay Western; you won't be overwhelmed by it, but it will definitely keep you entertained, especially if you are an avid fan of the genre to begin with. The film's biggest assets are its cast, its cinematography and its score. That last-named, by Jerome Moross, is one of the finest and least-acknowledged Western scores that Hollywood has ever produced, filled with the leaping fourths and fifths that are the musical equivalent of the open Western lands, and about as thrilling and beautiful as has ever been written to accompany a picture. Loyal Griggs's photography is equally delicious, filled with stunning hues and capturing both the epic scope of the outdoors and the emotional lives of the characters. And Jeff Chandler and Fess Parker have never been better. Parker's quieter performance is at first overshadowed by Chandler's larger scale charismatic villainy. The two play off of each other very well, and they carry a great deal of the film. They'd do even better if the screenplay were stronger; it's functional but it never goes as far or as deep as it seems to think it does. And Melvin Frank's direction lacks the poetry and insight that a John Ford would have brought to the piece.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler