Watch Klondike Fever

Klondike Fever is a movie set in the late 19th century during the Klondike gold rush. It tells the story of a young man named Shawnigan, played by Jeff East, who sets off on a journey to find his fortune in the gold fields of Yukon. Along the way, he encounters a wide cast of characters, including veterans of the gold rush, con artists, and beautiful women who all have their own reasons for being in Yukon.

The opening scenes of the movie depict Shawnigan's life in a small town in Montana. His father, a skilled miner, dies from an accident in their mining operation, and the family is left with nothing. Shawnigan is determined to strike it rich in the Klondike and sets off with his younger brother in tow. On the way, they meet a variety of people, including a circus troupe, a group of prostitutes, and miners returning from Yukon with tales of gold and adventure.

When they finally arrive in Dawson City, the main hub of the Klondike gold rush, they find that the town is overcrowded and expensive. As a result, Shawnigan takes on any job he can find, from delivering mail to working as a mucker in a mine. Despite his hard work, he realizes that the odds of striking it rich are slim and that the Klondike gold rush is more of a lottery than a fair game.

Meanwhile, Shawnigan meets a beautiful woman named Belinda, played by Angie Dickinson, who runs a successful saloon in Dawson City. They strike up a romance, but Belinda's past and her connections with the criminal underworld pose a threat to their relationship.

One of the most compelling characters in the movie is a prospector named Soapy Smith, played by Rod Steiger. Soapy is a charming con artist who preys on naively optimistic miners by selling them fake mining claims. Soapy is a complex character who is simultaneously ruthless and endearing. He is both a foil and a mentor to Shawnigan, and their interactions add depth and richness to the movie's plot.

Klondike Fever is a visually stunning movie with breathtaking panoramic shots of Yukon's rugged wilderness. The movie captures the sense of adventure and danger that characterized the Klondike gold rush. The harsh living conditions, the rough-and-tumble mining operations, and the isolation of living in a remote wilderness all contribute to the movie's tone of gritty realism.

Overall, Klondike Fever is an entertaining and well-crafted portrayal of the Klondike gold rush. The movie succeeds at portraying the period's social and economic circumstances accurately, and its excellent cast of characters adds complexity and depth to the story. It is also a movie that explores the fleeting nature of wealth and the pitfalls of human greed, making it a compelling allegory for all times.

Klondike Fever is a 1979 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.