This movie is a lot of fun. There are the typical barroom brawls (as well as a fight on the street), and also a shootout just for good measure. This is John Wayne through and through, but there is a strong comic element as well. North to Alaska is definitely worth the time, both for fans of John Wayne and for anyone who enjoys a good, lighthearted western comedy.


Great Duke Movie, but would be better on DVD   February 17, 2003
F. Healy (Pinehurst, NC United States)
20 out of 22 found this review helpful

The great gold rush of the late 1890's brings out thoughts of the wonderful writings of Robert W. Service, and his poems about life during the gold rush. It's so easy to visualize the John Wayne we see in this movie as being part of Service's writings.

Wayne, Stewart Granger, Fabian (???), Capucine and Ernie Kovacs all have major roles, and play them well. But the supporting cast is equally effective... I don't know the names of the actors, but the characters Mr. and Mrs. Lars Nordquist are terrific. And Mickey Shaughnessy is perfect as the inebriated miner who once worked the land near Sam McCord's (Wayne) claim.

The film is a fun film, intermingled with some nice action. Some of the scenes seem as if they were copied from photos of the late 1890's. The scenery is terrific, but don't think that they really went to Alaska to film any of it... it's the best that California could come up with. The city of Nome is nicely done, right down to the muddy streets. As you can expect from any John Wayne movie, you'll have a couple of entertaining fights.

For those who think of John Wayne as being anti-Indian... forget it. That is just the opposite of his character in all his films; and is just propoganda uttered by his political foes in an effort to make his feelings less acceptable. Forget it. As usual, the only folks Wayne picks on here are the ones who cause the trouble.

The whole movie is a romantic fantasy and a very enjoyable one at that.


John Wayne Strikes Movie Gold!   August 11, 2002
Evangeline (Flint Hills)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

They must have had a blast making this movie, set in the snowy mountains of Alaska during its exciting boomtown days. Complete with romance, hilarity AND and some really fabulous fist fights, North to Alaska is definitely one of John Wayne's best.

Claim jumpers, love triangles and power plays keep best friends Granger and Wayne on their toes, and almost at each other's throats, and right smack in the middle of it all is a delectable French lady named Capucine. Her cap is set for Wayne, but she soon finds out he's one of the most mule-headed men in Alaska!

Capucine really shines in her comically romantic role. As she employs all of her feminine wiles you will actually find yourself rooting for her! Granger and Wayne are fabulously paired up in this movie as partners, especially since they are exact opposites. This film has it all - love, laughs and lots of exciting action. A definite gold mine.


John Wayne, Stewart Granger & co. shine in Alaskan adventure   December 27, 2001
P. Ferrigno (Melbourne, Victoria Australia)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

The tremendously entertaining "North to Alaska" is easily John Wayne's most light hearted and fun filled movie and is wonderful viewing for all ages !!

Henry Hathaway's lively film is loosely based on the play "Birthday Gift" by Ladislas Fodor and Hathaway shows a wonderful hand in the romantic, comic nature of this film.

Confirmed bachelor Wayne and love lorn Grainger strike it rich in Nome, Alaska at the turn of the century and there begins all there problems. Wayne returns to Seattle to bring back Grainger's fiance, finds she has married another man, and ends up in a dance hall and brings back to Nome the glamorous Capucine (she was a knock out in her day !) for Grainger, but the big Duke falls for her womanly charms himself ! Songster Fabian is loads of fun as Grainger's overly amorous kid brother, Billy...and noted funnyman Ernie Kovacs is slick conman Frankie Cannon...eager to get his hands on anyone's fortune. And Johnny Horton's resonant voice sings the title track to the movie !

Henry Hathaway often got the best out of the Duke on screen, and if you never thought screen tough guy John Wayne could be funny...see this film...the honeymoon cabin sequence with cunning Grainger and reluctant Capucine stirring up trouble with an irate Wayne listening is simply priceless !

Watch closely during the all out brawl in the snow and the mud at the conclusion of the film where Wayne cops a hit on the jaw, falls backwards, and his toupee flies off !

Fun, action & romance..."North to Alaska" has got it all !


Great fun all the way!   July 21, 2000
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This is one of the funniest, nicest and most relaxed of all the Duke's movies. Everyone in the movie seem to have had a real ball making this one. They just don't make 'em like that anymore. Not to be missed!