North of Hudson Bay (1923)

North of Hudson Bay (1923)

„North of Hudson Bay“ is a 1923 action adventure drama film directed by John Ford from a story and screenplay by Jules Furthman.

On a steamboat heading to northern Canada, rancher Michael Dane goes to join his brother, Peter Dane, a successful miner who has struck gold in the wilds of winter with his partner, Angus McKenzie. En route, Michael meets Estelle McDonald, and falls in love with her while attempting to retrieve her hat from the water (this portion is incomplete).

Peter and Angus arrive at the trading post run by Cameron McDonald, a dastardly man who wishes to buy into the mine, but Angus refuses the offer, a decision that Peter backs up. McDonald leaves the room to the two partners, and a gunshot goes off. Everyone in the post rushes in to see Angus holding a gun and Peter dead on the floor.

Local authorities accuse Angus, and summarily sentence him to death by walking the „death trail,“ a kind of torture involving starvation and exposure in which the prisoner is made to walk, accompanied by guards, until he dies. Forced out into the wilds with no food or water, he must walk until he dies, followed by well-equipped minions of McDonald.

Michael, arrives in Canada at the Hudson’s Bay trading post, Dane discovers that Peter has been assassinated.

Michael and Estelle arrive at a remote house together for shelter, and in stumbles Angus, separated from his companions.

Michael shows Angus compassion by offering him food. Angus tells Michael the truth, as he helps the wrongfully accused man and offers him what hospitality he can before his guides show up and arrest Michael for helping Angus. Back at McDonald’s place, it is decided that Michael must die as well, in no small part because McDonald, the real murderer of Peter Dane, wants the mine and Michael has ownership of it as Peter’s heir.

Michael becomes an object of the same torture, banished to the wilderness.

They both escape, and Michael gets into a terrific fight with a pack of wolves.

Estelle, who is trying to escape from an unwanted suitor, follows the group in a canoe, pursued by Cameron McDonald, her uncle.

Estelle joins McKenzie and Michael. Together, they engage in a fierce fight before making their escape in a canoe after a thrilling chase through the treacherous rapids, and over a waterfall.

McDonald gets his comeuppance (the final reel is incomplete). Michael wins vengeance for his brother, and also wins Estelle’s heart. Together, Michael and Estelle escape to civilization.

Cast:

„Unter den Wölfen von Alaska“