ActionWestern

The Jayhawkers!

- Against the background of a turbulent era when Civil War was a flaming cloud on history's horizon . . A TREMENDOUS MOTION PICTURE!

Before the U.S. Civil War rebel leader Luke Darcy sees himself as leader of a new independent Republic of Kansas but the military governor sends an ex-raider to capture Darcy.

Release Date : 1959-10-15

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Paramount Pictures

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Luke Darcy

Original Name : Jeff Chandler

Gender : Male

Character Name : Cam Bleeker

Original Name : Fess Parker

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jeanne Dubois

Original Name : Nicole Maurey

Gender : Female

Character Name : Lordan

Original Name : Henry Silva

Gender : Male

Character Name : Gov. William Clayton

Original Name : Herbert Rudley

Gender : Male

Character Name : Evans

Original Name : Frank De Kova

Gender : Male

Character Name : China

Original Name : Don Megowan

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jake Barton

Original Name : Leo Gordon

Gender : Male

Character Name : Marthe DuBois

Original Name : Shari Lee Bernath

Gender : Female

Character Name : Paul DuBois

Original Name : Jimmy Carter

Gender : Male

Character Name : Indian Woman

Original Name : Renata Vanni

Gender : Female

Character Name : Jayhawker

Original Name : Berel Firestone

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jayhawker (as Allan Wyatt)

Original Name : Al Wyatt Sr.

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jayhawker

Original Name : Charles Bail

Gender : Male

Character Name : Storekeeper

Original Name : Ned Glass

Gender : Male

Character Name : Townsman Looking for a Match

Original Name : Richard Shannon

Gender : Male

Character Name : Townswoman

Original Name : Barbara Knudson

Gender : Female

Character Name : Governor's Aide

Original Name : Max Power

Gender : Male

Character Name : Minister (as Joe Forte)

Original Name : Joseph Forte

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bartender

Original Name : Tony Regan

Gender : Male

Character Name : Officer

Original Name : Howard Joslin

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jayhawker

Original Name : John Wiles Rice

Gender : Male

Character Name : Deputy Smallwood

Original Name : Harry Dean Stanton

Gender : Male

Character Name : Soldier

Original Name : Richard Adams

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jayhawker

Original Name : Wag Blesing

Gender : Male

Character Name : Stationmaster

Original Name : Paul McGuire

Gender : Male

Reviews

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

The Backwards Napoleon. The Jayhawkers! is directed by Melvin Frank and Frank shares writing duties with A. I. Bezzerides, Frank Fenton and Joe Petracca. It stars Jeff Chandler, Fess Parker, Nicole Maurey, Henry Silva, Leo Gordon and Frank DeKova. Music is by Jerome Moross and cinematography by Loyal Griggs. Territory of Kansas . . . Shortly before the Civil War. In short order form the plot finds Chandler as a driven empire builder Luke Darcy, who is taking advantage of Bleeding Kansas. Insinuating himself into Darcy's gang is Cam Bleeker (Parker), who has a very personal ulterior motive for doing so. The Ace of Spades! It's one of those films that has some great literary ideas, with some stoic characterisations and deft hints at the turmoil hitting this part of American history, and yet it never truly delivers on its powerful potential. Action is in short supply so we are very much asked to invest fully in the key players, their motives and drives, reasoning's etc, with the Darcy/Bleeker relationship and the shades of grey holding the attention whilst simultaneously holding the play together. Love-And-Death. That's everyone's fortune my friend. Bonus point also are the tactics used by Darcy to build his empire, which coupled with his beliefs - and Bleeker's growing conflicted values (Bromance does that to a guy apparently) - marks it out as a good try at something more deep and meaningful. Filmed in Technicolor/VistaVision, pic looks lovely, but not enough is made of the outdoor locations, while Moross provides a big bold booming score - which is great - it's just in the wrong film as it belongs in a ripper of an action piece. All told it's a very mixed bag, and stripped down it's a undercover story dressed up in familiar Western attire. It works for those who enjoy well written speeches and simmering tensions/passions, but it's a trick film to recommend with confidence. Oh and serious history buffs should give it a wide berth. 6/10