Product Details

• Actors: Richard Dix, Leo Carrillo, Preston Foster, Frances Gifford, Robert Barrat
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: New Media Resources
• VHS Release Date: May 1, 2001
• Run Time: 121 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005IASM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #543,058 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Actor

Ruggedly handsome and immensely gifted as a singer and actor, Preston Foster won himself the lead role in several Hollywood classics in the 30s and 40s. It was Foster’s memorable role as ‘Killer Mears’ in The Last Mile that catapulted him to fame and earned him key roles. American Empire was yet another classic, which helped, boost Foster’s image and label him as a versatile actor capable of playing a wide variety of roles. Originally made by Paramount, American Empire was sold to United Artists for release and preserved on DVD by a2zcds.com.

THE PLOT: Restless, eager for adventure and harboring an insatiable desire for wealth, Paxton Bryce (Preston Foster) convinces his long-time friend and business partner Dan Taylor (Richard Dix) to give up their ferrying business and venture into cattle rearing. By a rare coincidence their paths cross with that of cattle thief Dominique Beauchard (Leo Carrillo) , who provides them (rather unwillingly) with a startup stock of cattle. The ranch grows in leaps and bounds, but not fast enough for Paxton. Paxton’s greed and stubborn refusal to cooperate with his neighbors costs him his son, his wife Abbey (Frances Gifford) and his long time friend Dan. Will he ever learn life’s lessons?

About the Actor

A2ZCDS is the world's largest and fastest growing innovative multi-media library. Through its vast and unique distribution network, the company provides historical and educational CDs and DVDs covering thousands of topics to every corner of the globe. The ceaseless research and polling process at A2ZCDS constantly identifies and responds to existing and emergent areas of interests. As a result of constant innovation, exemplary products and outstanding customer service, A2ZCDS is quickly becoming a household name. It numbers amongst the most trusted, efficient and user-friendly sources of educational and entertainment media on the market today.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From1942... Tale of a Texas Cattle Empire With Richard Dix, December 28, 2005

By 

L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (Huntington Beach,CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: American Empire (Audio Described) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

American Empire" from 1942 it's a great old Western, that has two buddies building a cattle empire during the Reconstruction period. Pretty soon they own what seems to be most of Texas. When one of them becomes ruthless in his ways, and doesn't care who gets hurt on his way to the top, they part ways. That is until a family tragedy makes him see the light, and together they fight off the bad guys. It's a Western lovers Western, complete with the music that makes it a fun view. It stars Richard Dix and Preston S Foster. It is Directed by William C. McGann. This is a good old black and white film. The buying info here(on the VHS edition) show it as being in color.(You may want to check with the sellers to see if it has been colorized)

This film is also available as part of the Great American Western Series on DVD put out by Platinum Disc. It is one of the 4 films on Volume 18 of the series, that include 3 other Westerns from 70's TV. "The Hanged Man" with Steve Forrest,and the other two are episodes from a Glenn Ford series from the early 70's called "Cade's County".

Saddle Up and Happy Trails To You....Laurie

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Western Tragedy, July 25, 2006

By 

Ejaz - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Empire (1942) (Remastered Edition) (DVD)

Who knew that they made westerns that were modeled after deep works of literature? This is certainly not your standard white hats versus black hats western. Instead it's almost like Tolstoy as the main character has one minor flaw at teh begining of the film and then slowly becomes a terrible corrupt person because he can't help but keep giving into the bad side of her personality. It's a really deep character study and not at all what you would expect from a typical 40s western. I give it five stars for trying to rise above it's genre.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks a2zcds for preserving this amazing offbeat, yet enthralling Western on DVDs., May 2, 2006

By 

Carol Walker "Carol Walker" (Austin Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Empire (1942) (Remastered Edition) (DVD)

"This is a wonderful example of how a man's uncontrolled passions and greed can destroy him completely. Director McGann has handled the narrative beautifully, inspiring his cast to give memorable performances. Although I had never viewed a Preston Foster movie before, I have just added his name to my all-time favorite lists of actors. Thanks a2zcds for preserving this amazing offbeat, yet enthralling Western on DVDs."