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Bend of the River

Play trailer Poster for Bend of the River 1952,  1h 31m,  Western Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 100% 11 Reviews Tomatometer 79% 2,500+ Ratings Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Reformed outlaw Glyn McLyntock (James Stewart) has become a guide for farmers headed to Oregon. When he rescues thief Emerson Cole (Arthur Kennedy) from execution, Cole joins him on the journey. Once the settlers arrive, they discover that a trader who was supposed to send them provisions is now trying to scam them. After McLyntock and Cole travel to Portland to forcibly retrieve the supplies, Cole betrays McLyntock and steals the goods himself. McLyntock pursues, ready for battle.

Critics Reviews

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Jake Cole Slant Magazine Apr 24, 2026
Anthony Mann’s second collaboration with James Stewart begins as a relatively straightforward western through the lens of manifest destiny. Go to Full Review
Bob Thomas Associated Press Jul 24, 2019
Bend of the River should draw no complaints from western fans and movie goers in general. Go to Full Review
Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault Nov 23, 2022
A+
A stunner — shockingly violent (the brutality always catches us off-guard), morally ambiguous, beautifully paced. Go to Full Review
Yasser Medina Cinefilia Feb 5, 2022
7/10
Mann creates a beautiful spectacle, in which the landscape, colored in Technicolor, is as essential as the characters who submit to hope, betrayal and the greed typical of the Wild West. Full review in Spanish Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Apr 21, 2019
3/4
Part of the growing breed of oaters that added psychological underpinnings to the usual shoot-'em-up antics. Go to Full Review
Tim Brayton Antagony & Ecstasy Jul 5, 2014
8/10
It's like Stewart was pouring every negative emotion he felt over the past ten years into one moment. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Kylo W Mar 10, 2019 When a town boss confiscates homesteader's supplies after gold is discovered nearby, a tough cowboy risks his life to try and get it to them. Stars: James Stewart, Rock Hudson, Arthur Kennedy, Julie Adams ( Creature from the Black Lagoon). What a great western ! .Anthony Mann worked for the second time with James Stewart in Bend of the River (1952).Jimmy does good work as always.Arthur Kennedy is brilliant in his role.The beautiful and talented Julie Adams plays Laura Baile and she does it great.Lori Nelson is wonderful as Marjie Baile.Rock Hudson is a gambler named Trey Wilson and he's terrific.Jimmy Stewart always was very particular about any picture that he appeared in and I can see why he liked this film. The photography is good, the scenery monumental, raw, majestic. It's an enjoyable movie, especially if you're interested in the Westerns of the 1950s, a good example of the joint work of Anthony Mann and Jimmy Stewart. See more
Finn M Feb 10, 2019 Bend of the River is an overlooked, quintessential Western.
Jan 27, 2019 The best Western movie ever made!
Anakin W May 26, 2018 This is a Western that hits all the varied marks that it needs to hit. Jimmy Stewart makes for a tough and brutally fierce leader who is accompanied by other rough-and-tough outlaws and beautifully shot landscapes where the latter changes accordingly to the situation at hand. This is a great example of why Westerns were very popular during this period in Hollywood. I can picture the kids pretending to be cowboys right now! See more
Luke M Jan 29, 2017 story holds up well over the years, and a good performance by Stewart
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Bend of the River

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Anthony Mann

Director

James Stewart

Glyn McLyntock

Arthur Kennedy

Emerson Cole

Rock Hudson

Trey Wilson

Julie Adams

Laura Baile

Lori Nelson

Marjie Baile

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Bend of the River

Bend of the River (1952) Bend of the River (1952) Bend of the River (1952) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Reformed outlaw Glyn McLyntock (James Stewart) has become a guide for farmers headed to Oregon. When he rescues thief Emerson Cole (Arthur Kennedy) from execution, Cole joins him on the journey. Once the settlers arrive, they discover that a trader who was supposed to send them provisions is now trying to scam them. After McLyntock and Cole travel to Portland to forcibly retrieve the supplies, Cole betrays McLyntock and steals the goods himself. McLyntock pursues, ready for battle.
Director
Anthony Mann
Producer
Aaron Rosenberg
Screenwriter
Borden Chase
Production Co
Universal International Pictures
Genre
Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 1, 2016
Runtime
1h 31m
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