Union Pacific (1939): cast, story & where to watch
1939 · Film · ★ 6.5
Released in 1939, Union Pacific is a drama and western film directed by Cecil B. DeMille, running about 135 minutes. “"Union Pacific" is coming!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. One of the last bills signed by President Lincoln authorizes pushing the Union Pacific Railroad across the wilderness to California. But financial opportunist Asa Barrows hopes to profit from obstructing it. Chief troubleshooter Jeff Butler has his hands full fighting Barrows' agent, gambler Sid Campeau; Campeau's partner Dick Allen is Jeff's war buddy and rival suitor for engineer's daughter Molly Monahan. Who will survive the effort to push the railroad through at any cost?
Who’s in it. Union Pacific stars Barbara Stanwyck as Mollie Monahan, Joel McCrea as Jeff Butler, Akim Tamiroff as Fiesta and Robert Preston as Dick Allen, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, Union Pacific has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Union Pacific page.
If you liked it. Fans of Union Pacific tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Union Pacific (1939)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Union Pacific change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Union Pacific worth watching?
- Union Pacific holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and western. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Union Pacific?
- Union Pacific stars Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea, Akim Tamiroff, Robert Preston and Lynne Overman.
- When was Union Pacific released?
- Union Pacific was released in 1939, with a runtime of about 135 minutes.