The Jayhawkers! (1959)

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Plot-- An ex-renegade (Parker) agrees to infiltrate a renegade band in return for a pardon from the feds. Then too, he's got a personal grudge against the band's leader (Chandler) for victimizing his wife and their farm. Trouble is the leader is kind of a likable guy. So which way will the ex-renegade go.Somewhere inside all the turgid talk is a good story of conflict between Parker's emotions and his principles. Trouble is the studio (Paramount) appears more interested in playing up the three leads than in the story itself. Thus we get a ton of talky scenes with some combination of Parker, Chandler, and Aubert instead of action or suspense. So western fans may feel cheated in the action department. I suspect four scriptwriters working on the same screenplay have something to do with that. Then too, the direction (Frank) is pretty flat. In fact, the director's resume (IMDB) appears more at home with fluff than outdoor drama. It's noteworthy too that the locations never leave greater LA, so we're also short in the scenic department. That's especially unfortunate since the film needs some sweep to match the story's scale. After all, the script is playing with the disposition of an entire state, Kansas. On the other hand, Paramount did pop for an army of extras to fill out the mustering scenes.I winced at one point where Chandler says life is short, or words to that effect. Tragically, Chandler himself would die two years later as a result of medical malpractice. So his words here seem more than just a little prophetic. Too bad the menacing Henry Silva is largely wasted in a routine role. Some close-ups of his sinister sneer would have added needed dramatic impact. All in all, the movie's a turgid disappointment despite a capable cast, a good core conflict, and big screen VistaVision.

This film is one of the more underrated and seldom seen western classics around. A big reason is that is was done by Paramount, who with the exception of the films of Gary Cooper and later John Wayne, rarely did westerns. Beyond that, Paramount has no regard for their post 1949 films (The earlier films are owned by Universal). Basically, except "The Godfather", "Star Trek", and a few others, you will not even find 70s and 80s films like "Top Gun" on TV, or even remastered for DVD. I think "The Jayhawkers!" is outstanding, but it is a film that requires thought to understand why. Jeff Chandler's Luke Darcy is a character based on William Clarke Quantrill (1837-1865)who was the leader of a bunch of Confederates raiders during the Civil War (In his bunch were Frank & Jesse James). But this character goes far beyond what Quantrill was. He was a very charismatic individual who can seduce people into doing whatever he wanted: Sort of like Napoleon was. Jeanne Dubois (Nicole Maurey), mentioned that during the film (Something that Cam Bleeker (Fess Parker) and most Americans would not understand). Which is why having a Frenchwoman in the film was important (Not just as a love interest). It also explains why Bleeker's wife threw herself at Darcy, before she died, Lordan (Henry Silva) was almost like a puppy dog at his feet, and Bleeker was reluctant to turn him over to the Army (Despite knowing to a large extent, he was responsible for his wife's death). Spoilers ahead: The way that Bleeker was supposed to handle Darcy was turn him over to be hanged, but instead (After beating him up in a fight) had him fight in a duel in a bar (Which of course, Bleeker won), and carried his body out. When soldiers wanted to drag him, Bleeker said carry him. Bleeker then surrendered to the Army, and the Col. said: "I don't know why, you did things the way you did, and I don't know why I am letting you go, but somehow, I think we are both right." (At the beginning of the film, Bleeker broke out of prison, and after being caught, at his ranch that was purchased by Jeanne and fer family (She has a boy and a girl), was offered his freedom for Darcy's capture). So at the very end, Bleeker and Jeanne who by then fell in love will be free to go back to the ranch and live happily ever after. Basically these were very complex characters, nothing cardboard about them. The best were Darcy who really liked Bleeker and Jeanne (Perhaps because he respected them (Bleeker for being a Raider who broke out of prison, and Jeanne for her strength and honor)), despite being someone who wanted to be a dictator), and Jeanne. Jeanne is my favorite. She is a strong character, with a positive moral compass, who survived as a woman with no husband, and two kids, and is the only reason why Bleeker did not turn out bad. This is a film that should be seen more often (Maybe on the Western Channel or Turner Classic Movies), and perhaps it will be more appreciated for the classic it is.

Jeff Chandler's performance as Luke Darcy is a classic. He's a megalomaniac, but in some ways you're drawn to him. You know he's a bad guy, yet you're struck by his intelligence and charisma. The line "I'm giving you your dream, and don't worry about me, I've got Kansas." is a classic and it tells you he's got to be stopped. I wish this movie was on DVD, along with his other fine films Broken Arrow, and Pillars Of The Sky. As noted, He might've been able to tackle roles as a character actor had it not been for a tragic mistake during back surgery at the young age of 42. I have always been a fan of Jeff Chandler, and wish more of his films were on DVD.

This movie made me sick when I saw it on TV many years ago. Jeff Chandler's character is decent, a guy you don't want to see taken down? He says to Fess Parker's character, regarding the way he treated the man's dead (at his hands) wife, "To me, a good woman is like a good bottle of wine: once you've used it up, you throw the container away." He goes through women like kleenexes and disposes of them with less mercy. He took the man's wife, seduced her, then killed her when he got bored with her.This is decent?Fess Parker's character likes him?There is no reason for Fess Parker not to kill the disgusting creep on sight.But maybe the people who praise this movie also agree with that characterization of women.