MOVIE
About
Graduates from West Point Military Academy are posted to Kansas to help pacify the territory before railroad construction to Santa Fe can resume. However, tensions arise as a conflict erupts between the graduates and the abolitionist John Brown, along with his supporters.
1940 American Drama War Western Film produced by Warner Bros. Pictures
At West Point Military Academy in 1854, cadet Rader, an agent of the abolitionist John Brown, is discharged for instigating a brawl among the cadets after distributing anti-slavery pamphlets which his classmates disapprove of due to the controversial nature of the pamphlets. Some believed the issue of slavery to be one that would inevitably resolve itself, and the U.S. Army had a position against the pursuit of ideological causes while serving. Following the brawl, Rader's classmates Stuart and Custer become second lieutenants and are posted to Kansas Territory, the most dangerous duty in the Army. On the way to Kansas, Custer and Stuart meet Cyrus K. Holliday, in charge of building the railroad to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and his daughter Kit, with whom both officers fall in love. The Kansas Territory is bloodstained and war-torn, a victim of John Brown's relentless crusade against slavery. Meanwhile, Rader has enlisted as a mercenary in Brown's army, which has been terrorizing the countryside and freeing slaves. During Brown's attack on a freight wagon under the protection of the U.S. Army, Stuart and Custer capture Brown's injured son and, before he dies, the boy informs them about his father's hideout in Palmyra. In disguise, Stuart rides into Palmyra, the center of the Underground Railroad, but Brown's men spot his horse's army brand. He is captured and taken to Brown at gunpoint. Attempting to escape, Stuart is trapped in a burning barn but is saved as Custer leads the cavalry to the rescue, driving Brown into seclusion. Three years later, in 1859, believing that Brown's force has been broken, Stuart and Custer are sent back to Washington, D.C. However, Brown is planning to re-ignite the war by raiding a great arsenal. When Brown refuses to pay Rader for his services, Rader rides to Washington to alert the military of Brown's plans.
The film was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures as part of its series of historical dramas starring Errol Flynn. It featured Olivia de Havilland, Flynn's frequent co-star and love interest in many of his films. It also featured Ronald Reagan, President of the United States for two terms from 1981 to 1989. It was directed by Michael Curtiz, who had worked with Flynn on several previous films such as Captain Blood (1935), The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), The Sea Hawk (1940). Written by Robert Buckner, the film is critical of the abolitionist John Brown and his controversial campaign against slavery before the American Civil War. The film was released in 1940 and was well-received by critics and audiences. It was one of Flynn's most successful films at the box office. However, the film was also criticized for its historical inaccuracies and its negative portrayal of John Brown and his cause. The film also sparked controversy for its anti-abolitionist stance, which was seen as insensitive and unpatriotic in the context of World War II.
1940 American Drama War Western Film produced by Warner Bros. Pictures
At West Point Military Academy in 1854, cadet Rader, an agent of the abolitionist John Brown, is discharged for instigating a brawl among the cadets after distributing anti-slavery pamphlets which his classmates disapprove of due to the controversial nature of the pamphlets. Some believed the issue of slavery to be one that would inevitably resolve itself, and the U.S. Army had a position against the pursuit of ideological causes while serving. Following the brawl, Rader's classmates Stuart and Custer become second lieutenants and are posted to Kansas Territory, the most dangerous duty in the Army. On the way to Kansas, Custer and Stuart meet Cyrus K. Holliday, in charge of building the railroad to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and his daughter Kit, with whom both officers fall in love. The Kansas Territory is bloodstained and war-torn, a victim of John Brown's relentless crusade against slavery. Meanwhile, Rader has enlisted as a mercenary in Brown's army, which has been terrorizing the countryside and freeing slaves. During Brown's attack on a freight wagon under the protection of the U.S. Army, Stuart and Custer capture Brown's injured son and, before he dies, the boy informs them about his father's hideout in Palmyra. In disguise, Stuart rides into Palmyra, the center of the Underground Railroad, but Brown's men spot his horse's army brand. He is captured and taken to Brown at gunpoint. Attempting to escape, Stuart is trapped in a burning barn but is saved as Custer leads the cavalry to the rescue, driving Brown into seclusion. Three years later, in 1859, believing that Brown's force has been broken, Stuart and Custer are sent back to Washington, D.C. However, Brown is planning to re-ignite the war by raiding a great arsenal. When Brown refuses to pay Rader for his services, Rader rides to Washington to alert the military of Brown's plans.
The film was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures as part of its series of historical dramas starring Errol Flynn. It featured Olivia de Havilland, Flynn's frequent co-star and love interest in many of his films. It also featured Ronald Reagan, President of the United States for two terms from 1981 to 1989. It was directed by Michael Curtiz, who had worked with Flynn on several previous films such as Captain Blood (1935), The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), The Sea Hawk (1940). Written by Robert Buckner, the film is critical of the abolitionist John Brown and his controversial campaign against slavery before the American Civil War. The film was released in 1940 and was well-received by critics and audiences. It was one of Flynn's most successful films at the box office. However, the film was also criticized for its historical inaccuracies and its negative portrayal of John Brown and his cause. The film also sparked controversy for its anti-abolitionist stance, which was seen as insensitive and unpatriotic in the context of World War II.
Related Subjects
Extended Details
- SubtitlesEnglish
- Closed CaptionsEnglish