“Santa Fe Trail’ (Movie Review-12/21/40)

Microfilm-New York Times archives, Monterey Public Library | 12/21/40 | Bosley Crowther, Olin Downes

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile. Also visit our general discussion thread

[Homer_J_Simpson]

"Santa Fe Trail" original trailer

[Tainan]

"High-priced horse-opera"....I Love it!

[Fiji Hill]

“Santa Fe Trail” is an exciting and entertaining oater, although the title is somewhat misleading, since the story takes a right turn at Route 40 and winds up in the Potomac valley. John Brown fans will not be pleased with the film’s portrayal of their hero.

[Vanders9]

How amazing - I was just given this film as part of an Errol Flynn collection and I sat down and watched it last weekend!

By and large, I agree with the review.

[vetvetdoug]

I have a copy of this movie. The saddles are WWI vintage and the rifles trapdoor Springfield's. From a technical standpoint, Hollywood didn't work too hard to get the equipment right. The story was so far from historical possibilities it was distracting. For Hollywood, it was normal.

[GreenLanternCorps]

“Santa Fe Trail” is one of my favorite westerns. However, it is about as bad as “Hollywood History” ever got. It makes “Pearl Harbor” look like a college term paper.

Great popcorn movie though, and Raymond Massey is a better John Brown than Brown was himself...

[GreenLanternCorps]

I have a copy of this movie. The saddles are WWI vintage and the rifles trapdoor Springfield's. From a technical standpoint, Hollywood didn't work too hard to get the equipment right. The story was so far from historical possibilities it was distracting. For Hollywood, it was normal.

I may have that beat. There was a movie made about Clive conquering India made in the 1950's. I can't remember the name, but the British and Indian troops have buckboard wagons and breech loading rifles, IN 1757!

[vetvetdoug]

Zulu is another that was well done but I saw a glaring anachronism during the volley fire scene. The first two ranks of soldiers were using the period correct Martini Henry rifles...the third rank were using .303 Enfield Bolt actions. It is no wonder that the soldiers of the 24th Foot were able to fend off the Zulus. They were using rifles that wouldn't be invented for another thirty years.

[GreenLanternCorps]

RULE .303!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I just picked up a copy at my local Fry’s...has Ronald Reagan in it.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

According to the CD cover.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

According to the CD cover.

According to the the review Reagan plays a character named George Custer. Maybe the 7th Cavalry will win this time.