The Jayhawkers!
Performance & Direction: The Jayhawkers! Review
Last updated: February 20, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Jayhawkers! (1959) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Jayhawkers! features a noteworthy lineup led by Jeff Chandler . Supported by the likes of Fess Parker and Nicole Maurey , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Jayhawkers!
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1959, The Jayhawkers! is a Action, Western film directed by Melvin Frank. The narrative delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jeff Chandler.
Ending Explained: The Jayhawkers!
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Melvin Frank, The Jayhawkers! concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The climactic sequence delivers on the escalating tension involving Jeff Chandler, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Jayhawkers! reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Jayhawkers!?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Jeff Chandler or the director
- Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
Top Cast: The Jayhawkers!
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Where to Watch The Jayhawkers! Online?
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Amazon VideoThe Jayhawkers! Parents Guide & Age Rating
1959 AdvisoryWondering about The Jayhawkers! age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Jayhawkers! is 100 minutes (1h 40m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.0/10, and global performance metrics, The Jayhawkers! is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1959 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Jayhawkers! worth watching?
The Jayhawkers! is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Jayhawkers! parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Jayhawkers! identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Jayhawkers!?
The total duration of The Jayhawkers! is 100 minutes, which is approximately 1h 40m long.
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How The Jayhawkers! Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Jayhawkers!
The Backwards Napoleon. The Jayhawkers! is directed by Melvin Frank and Frank shares writing duties with A. I. Bezzerides, Frank Fenton and Joe Petracca. It stars Jeff Chandler, Fess Parker, Nicole Maurey, Henry Silva, Leo Gordon and Frank DeKova. Music is by Jerome Moross and cinematography by Loyal Griggs. Territory of Kansas . . . Shortly before the Civil War. In short order form the plot finds Chandler as a driven empire builder Luke Darcy, who is taking advantage of Bleeding Kansas. Insinuating himself into Darcy's gang is Cam Bleeker (Parker), who has a very personal ulterior motive for doing so. The Ace of Spades! It's one of those films that has some great literary ideas, with some stoic characterisations and deft hints at the turmoil hitting this part of American history, and yet it never truly delivers on its powerful potential. Action is in short supply so we are very much asked to invest fully in the key players, their motives and drives, reasoning's etc, with the Darcy/Bleeker relationship and the shades of grey holding the attention whilst simultaneously holding the play together. Love-And-Death. That's everyone's fortune my friend. Bonus point also are the tactics used by Darcy to build his empire, which coupled with his beliefs - and Bleeker's growing conflicted values (Bromance does that to a guy apparently) - marks it out as a good try at something more deep and meaningful. Filmed in Technicolor/VistaVision, pic looks lovely, but not enough is made of the outdoor locations, while Moross provides a big bold booming score - which is great - it's just in the wrong film as it belongs in a ripper of an action piece. All told it's a very mixed bag, and stripped down it's a undercover story dressed up in familiar Western attire. It works for those who enjoy well written speeches and simmering tensions/passions, but it's a trick film to recommend with confidence. Oh and serious history buffs should give it a wide berth. 6/10
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