North West Mounted Police Gary Cooper

The film "North West Mounted Police" is a 1940 Technicolor action-packed classic that stars the irresistible charm of Gary Cooper and Madeleine Carroll. Labelled as an adventure, drama, and history movie from the Golden Age of Hollywood, it was directed by legendary film director Cecil B. DeMille and primarily paved the way for the development of westerns in the film industry.

The story takes place in 1885, in the heat of the North-West Rebellion in Canada. Gary Cooper plays the role of Dusty Rivers, a Texas Ranger who is sent to Canada on a mission to arrest Jacques Corbeau (played by George Bancroft) for murder. The crime itself is relatively trivial amidst the brewing rebellion but serves as a platform for the unfolding narrative.

Madeleine Carroll features as April Logan, a school teacher whose initial aloofness is matched with a fierce sense of loyalty and a fiery independence. She becomes the source of an intense love triangle which includes Dusty Rivers and the local mounted police officer, Ronnie Logan (played by Robert Preston).

Upon arriving in Canada, Dusty quickly gets swept up in the turmoil of the rebellion incited by Louis Riel. He finds himself aligned with the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) and fighting alongside Sergeant Jim Brett, dynamically portrayed by Preston Foster. Carroll's character also finds herself amidst this conflict, caught between her affections for Dusty and Ronnie and her duty towards her family.

The rebellion led by Louis Riel is largely reflected through the character of Corbeau and his son who fight on the rebel side. Interestingly, the movie does not paint a one-sided urgency but balances the narrative enough to understand the deeper motivations of both sides.

The movie's cinematography, being Technicolor, sets it apart as being one of the early gems of color imagemaking. The vivid color palate of the film breathes life into the scenes whether it be in a lively festive setting or on the chilling battlegrounds. Most notably, the production's attention to details in the costume design, set pieces and the depiction of the Canadian wilderness adds an unparalleled sense of realism that edge-of-the-seat sequences of warfare require.

Drawing from history, the movie derives its elements from the actual North-West Rebellion that occurred at the time. Although it fictionalizes some of the events and characters for the sake of narrative progression, much of the film's core historical plot retains its origin. The movie gives its audience a glimpse into a less explored territory of history and does not shy away from showcasing the harsh realities of war and rebellion.

It is important to note that the script does not solely focus on the conflicts and intense drama unfolding. DeMille, an experienced director, skillfully infuses elements of romance and light-hearted banter into the script to break the tension while not compromising the narrative's searing intensity. Comedic relief pops up here and there, mainly through Dusty's bewildering encounters with the Canadian culture, atypical for a Texas Ranger.

The casting of the film is as remarkable as the script. Gary Cooper as Dusty Rivers embodies the cowboy persona with a heart captivating the audience not only with his charismatic performance but also through his authentic portrayal of the character. His chemistry with Madeleine Caroll, whose smart wit and resistant character is genuinely endearing, prove to highly engaging.

Preston Foster gives a remarkable performance as Sergeant Jim Brett with the portrayal of an emotionally layered character. Robert Preston as Ronnie Logan delivers a memorable performance, and Bancroft's characterization of Jacques Corbeau adds a necessary dynamism to the plot.

This film is a beautifully crafted mesh of historical memoir, raw action, subtle romance, and cultural comedy. Despite being produced over eight decades ago, North West Mounted Police continues its swirl of appeal to an array of audiences. Its historical accuracy accompanied by the thrill of adventure, the thread of romance, and the curved edges of comedy make it a must-see epitome of classic Hollywood cinema.