Crazy Horse (1996), Night Riders (1939), The Big Trail (1930), Cavalry (1936), Wagon Wheels (1934), Kansas Pacific (1953), Davy Crockett, Indian Scout (1950) ... Let's take a look at the ranked list of the best Westward Expansion movies.
Storyline: During the mid-19th century, in what is now South Dakota, Crazy Horse (Michael Greyeyes) of the Oglala Sioux rises to prominence in his tribe. He falls in love with the married Black Buffalo Woman (Irene Bedard), and uses his trance-like visions to help his uncle, Chief Red Cloud (Wes Studi), and his people fight for independence against the advancing American forces. Eventually, they defeat General Custer (Peter Horton) and his men, but they then must face the reality of Westward expansion.
Plot Keywords: warrior, soldier, doctor, married woman, thrilling, tense, rousing ...
Movie Details Click Here!Storyline: Soft-spoken Homer C. Fitch works his first day as manager of the Windsor Arms, a posh apartment building, and that night shares his problems with his wife Sybil, their daughter Patricia, adopted son Joe and Butch Smiley, an orphan whom they want to adopt. They also discuss Butch's future, for although Homer has written to Butch's grandfather concerning the adoption, they have received no response. Later in the evening, police officer Flannigan brings in Butch, whom he caught trying to run away. Butch reveals that he was having difficulty with his homework and did not want to disgrace the family with his poor schoolwork. Although Homer is so meek that he cannot stand up to bullies like Mr. Turk, the building's rude engineer, he is a good father, and so he, Sybil and Flannigan help Butch with his homework. While they are acting out the math problems, Butch's grandfather, Smokestack Smiley, arrives. Smokestack is an old-fashioned steeplejack who believes that a man must be aggressive and tough in order to be a real man, and he insists on staying with the family for a few days to determine if they are good enough to adopt Smiley. The next day, Smokestack realizes that Homer does not fulfill his idea of masculinity, despite Sybil's claim that he was nicknamed "Bulldog" in high school because of his ferocious behavior. Smokestack's poor opinion of Homer worsens upon learning that he is afraid of heights, and so Sybil advises Homer to act more aggressively. The next morning, Homer pays Turk to let him hit him in front of the family, and the contented Smokestack then takes Butch and Joe to the roof to show them his steeplejack rigging. While they are gone, a newly arrived tenant reveals himself to be Bruiser Brown, the bully who tormented Homer in high school. Homer, Sybil and Patricia are forced to have dinner with Bruiser that night, and after they distract Smokestack with a lie about going out with Homer's boss, they go to Bruiser's apartment. There, Bruiser spikes Homer's lemonade with gin, and the tee-totaling Homer makes a fool of himself when Smokestack appears after finding out where the Fitches really are from Patricia's fiance, Windy Wilson. Smokestack discovers from Bruiser that Homer's real nickname was "Wishy Washy," and despite Homer and Sybil's pleas, Smokestack decides to take Butch to California. The next day, Butch sorrowfully prepares to leave. A crisis occurs, however, when little Joe climbs into Smokestack's rig and is suspended helplessly from the roof. With no regard for his own safety, Homer climbs out on a ladder to save his son. Homer almost plummets to the ground after rescuing Joe but is saved by Smiley and Windy. Bruiser appears and calls Homer "Wishy Washy," after which Smokestack proclaims that he will be proud to have the Fitches adopt Butch, and that from now on Homer is to be called "Bulldog."
Plot Keywords: con artist, rancher, gunslinger, forger, farm girl, melodramatic, spectacular ...
Movie Details Click Here!Storyline: Breck leads a wagon train of pioneers through Indian attack, storms, deserts, swollen rivers, down cliffs and so on while looking for the murder of a trapper and falling in love with Ruth.—Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
Plot Keywords: fur trapper, woman, gambler, villain, henchman, pioneer, rousing ...
Movie Details Click Here!Storyline: Just after the Civil War, Captain Thorn is sent west to help protect the new telegraph line that is under construction. Leeds is out to establish an independent nation in the west and tries stop its construction and also incoming wagon trains by inciting the Indians to attack both of them.—Maurice VanAuken <mvanauken@a1access.net>
Plot Keywords: colonel, niece, scavenger, general, union soldier, father, spirited ...
Movie Details Click Here!Storyline: The trio of Belmet, Burch, and O'Meary are leading a wagon train west and Murdock is out to stop them. The settlers fight off his initial Indian attack and reach the mountains. With the wagon train vulnerable as it crosses a river, Murdock has the Indians make a final attack.—Maurice VanAuken <mvanauken@a1access.net>
Plot Keywords: cowboy, scout, fur trapper, widow, son, older woman, engaging ...
Movie Details Click Here!Storyline: Just before the Civil War (but after the South has seceded), Southern saboteurs try to prevent railroad construction from crossing Kansas to the frontier; army captain Nelson is sent out to oppose them. As the tracks push westward, Nelson must contend with increasingly violent sabotage, while trying to romance the foreman's pretty daughter Barbara.—Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
Plot Keywords: army officer, railroad engineer, railroad worker, boss, daughter, southerner, patriotic ...
Movie Details Click Here!Storyline: It's 1848 and a wagon train with an Army escort is heading west through Indian territory, It's scout is Davy Crockett, nephew of his more famous namesake. There is spy amongst them informing the Indians. They survive the first Indian attack and then push on. They have a choice of two passes through the mountains. Learing of the pass to be defended by the Indians, they head for the other. But upon ariving, the Indians attack. Somehow they have been informed.—Maurice VanAuken <mvanauken@a1access.net>
Plot Keywords: scout, partner, army colonel, native american, driver, teacher, engaging ...
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