Union Pacific (1939)

"Union Pacific (1939)" is a sprawling, action-packed Western epic directed by Cecil B. DeMille, loosely based on the real-life construction of the first transcontinental railroad. One of the last bills signed by President Lincoln authorizes pushing the Union Pacific Railroad across the wilderness to California. But financial opportunist Asa Barrows hopes to profit from obstructing it. Chief troubleshooter Jeff Butler has his hands full fighting Barrows' agent, gambler Sid Campeau; Campeau's partner Dick Allen is Jeff's war buddy and rival suitor for engineer's daughter Molly Monahan. The film chronicles the immense challenges, both natural and man-made, faced by those determined to link the nation by rail, ultimately asking: Who will survive the effort to push the railroad through at any cost? "Union Pacific" belongs on the list of "Best Cecil B. DeMille Movies" for its sheer scale and spectacle, hallmarks of the director's signature style. It boasts massive train wrecks, exhilarating Indian attacks, barroom brawls, and sweeping landscapes, all captured with DeMille's characteristic grandeur. More than just action, the film also incorporates a classic romantic triangle, adding emotional depth to the historical narrative. While historical accuracy may be embellished for dramatic effect, the film successfully captures the ambitious spirit and the immense struggles involved in building the railroad, securing its place as a classic Hollywood Western and a prime example of DeMille's epic filmmaking.