Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Northwest Passage

Name: Northwest Passage
Genre: Adventure, History, War, Drama
Released: 1940-02-23
Cast: Spencer Tracy, Robert Young, Walter Brennan, Ruth Hussey, Nat Pendleton

1940 | 126 min | Adventure, History, War, Drama

Saturday Specialearly rating

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for adventure fans and history buffs. If you loved Hotel Rwanda, start here.
The mood: Intense.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 6 min.
What might put you off: Made in 1940: an older pace and style.

Based on the Kenneth Roberts novel of the same name, this film tells the story of two friends who join Rogers' Rangers, as the legendary elite force engages the enemy during the French and Indian War. The film focuses on their famous raid at Fort St. Francis and their marches before and after the battle.

How it earned its rating

CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$3 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 29K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by King Vidor

Spencer TracyMajor Robert Rogers
Robert YoungLangdon Towne
Walter Brennan'Hunk' Marriner
Ruth HusseyElizabeth Browne
Nat Pendleton'Cap' Huff
Louis HectorReverend Browne
Robert BarratHumphrey Towne
Lumsden HareLord Amherst
Donald MacBrideSergeant McNott
Isabel JewellJennie Coit