The Iron Horse (1924)
In the National Film Registry
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2h 29m
A chronicle of the epic construction of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States.
The Iron Horse (1924), directed by John Ford, marked a turning point in Ford's career and cemented his association with the Western genre.
The Iron Horse experimented with scale. Filmed with a large budget, it employed thousands of extras and showcased vast landscapes, a departure from the smaller-scale productions typical of the time. Ford also pushed boundaries in depicting the grueling labor of building the transcontinental railroad, featuring diverse groups of immigrants toiling alongside each other.
The film's narrative structure, though linear, incorporated historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and Buffalo Bill Cody alongside fictional characters. This blend blurred the lines between factual and dramatized elements, creating a unique historical tapestry.
The Iron Horse's influence lies in its ambition and willingness to push the boundaries of silent filmmaking. It paved the way for future directors to explore grand narratives and experiment with historical storytelling within the Western genre.
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