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The Jayhawkers!

  • 1959
  • Approved
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
780
YOUR RATING
The Jayhawkers! (1959)
Classical WesternWestern

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.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.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.

  • Director
    • Melvin Frank
  • Writers
    • Melvin Frank
    • Joseph Petracca
    • Frank Fenton
  • Stars
    • Jeff Chandler
    • Fess Parker
    • Nicole Maurey
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    780
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Melvin Frank
    • Writers
      • Melvin Frank
      • Joseph Petracca
      • Frank Fenton
    • Stars
      • Jeff Chandler
      • Fess Parker
      • Nicole Maurey
    • 20User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos20

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    Top cast71

    Edit
    Jeff Chandler
    Jeff Chandler
    • Luke Darcy
    Fess Parker
    Fess Parker
    • Cam Bleeker
    Nicole Maurey
    Nicole Maurey
    • Jeanne Dubois
    Henry Silva
    Henry Silva
    • Lordan
    Herbert Rudley
    Herbert Rudley
    • Gov. William Clayton
    Frank DeKova
    Frank DeKova
    • Evans
    Don Megowan
    Don Megowan
    • China
    Leo Gordon
    Leo Gordon
    • Jake Barton
    Shari Lee Bernath
    • Marthe DuBois
    Jimmy Carter
    • Paul DuBois
    Renata Vanni
    Renata Vanni
    • Indian Woman
    Berel Firestone
    • Jayhawker
    Al Wyatt Sr.
    Al Wyatt Sr.
    • Jayhawker
    • (as Allan Wyatt)
    Charles Bail
    • Jayhawker
    Ned Glass
    Ned Glass
    • Storekeeper
    Richard Shannon
    Richard Shannon
    • Townsman Looking for a Match
    Barbara Knudson
    • Townswoman
    Max Trumpower
    • Governor's Aide
    • (as Max Power)
    • Director
      • Melvin Frank
    • Writers
      • Melvin Frank
      • Joseph Petracca
      • Frank Fenton
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The theme for TV's Wagon Train (1957) was taken directly from the Jerome Moross score of this film when Moross worked on the western series.
    • Goofs
      Topeka is referred to as the Capitol of Kansas, during the time period depicted in the film, prior to the Civil War, the capitol of the Kansas Territory was actually Lecompton.
    • Quotes

      Luke Darcy: I've got what I want. I've got Kansas.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Mission: Impossible: The Mind of Stefan Miklos (1969)

    User reviews20

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10

    The French meet Davy Crockett and Napoleon.

    There is a French touch in this western which is closer to a political fable than to the usual stuff.Besides,the family Parker meets is French ,which is very rare in the genre.

    Jeanne Dubois tells him so :"we came in America ,because we were in search of liberty";if the movie takes place at the end of the Civil War,then it was still )Napoleon (the Third , the nephew of Bonaparte)who was ruling the country (1848-1870);it was a dictatorship that led the country to war with Prussia / Germany (with disastrous consequences later in the twentieth century).Hence Jeanne's remark ,even though she does not hint at both emperors at all.

    On the other hand ,Luke Darcy admires Napoleon (the First),with his inflated ego;it's not a cardboard character though ;he is a true demagogue,like far-right wing leaders ,he promises lots of things (schools ,hospitals),he's perhaps convinced he works for the greater good of his future subjects ,for he has an empire in mind ;and yet he remains deaf to the father's plea .As for Parker's wife ,her fate remains ambiguous ;as is his relationship with his enemy who reminds him of his own brother.

    In spite of some implausibilities (the little girl survives the stampede),the story is not that simple .

    A note about Nicole Maurey ,who recently passed away:she began her career with a masterpiece ("Journal D'Un Curé De Campagne " aka "diary of a country priest" by Robert Bresson) ,then continued to work in her native country ("Action Immédiate" )and in the US ('secret of the incas" opposite Charlton Heston.);but trying to do too many things at once ,she never became a true star in both countries.

    Henry Silva ,who plays a supporting part in "the jayhawkers" ,enjoyed a career in Europa (mainly in Italy) in the seventies .
    • dbdumonteil
    • Jul 28, 2018
    • Permalink

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    FAQ14

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 15, 1959 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Der Herrscher von Kansas
    • Filming locations
      • Janss Ranch, Conejo, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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