Movie spotlight
Jim Vesser and his team of railroading men try to build a rail line through a mountain pass, while a group of less scrupulous construction workers sabotages the entire operation in the hopes that they can get their tracks laid first and get the money from the railroad.
In 1880s Colorado, the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad faces fierce competition from the Union Pacific. Two rival railroad engineers, Jim Vesser and Dave Reger, engage in a ruthless battle for control of a crucial pass. Their conflict escalates, involving sabotage, violence, and a dramatic struggle for dominance that impacts the development of the region. The story highlights the cutthroat nature of railroad expansion during that era.
The film received mixed reviews, with critics often praising its depiction of railroad construction and the rugged landscape, but some found the plot to be predictable. Audiences generally appreciated the action sequences and the classic Western themes.
Praised for its authentic portrayal of the railroad industry.
Noted for its dramatic and often violent conflict between rival railroad companies.
Some critics found the narrative pacing to be slow in parts.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this older film, but those available often point to its value as a historical Western focusing on the railroad era.
The film was shot on location in Durango, Colorado, showcasing the actual historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
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Train Tribulations. Denver and Rio Grande is directed by Byron Haskin and written by Frank Gruber. It stars Edmond O'Brien, Sterling Hayden, Dean Jagger, Kasey Rogers, Lyle Bettger and J. Carol Naish. Music is by Paul Sawtell and Technic...