People are voting emotionally.

just watch it!

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Blistering performances.

I agree with all the previously positive opinions on this movie. Thomas Mitchell is an excellent actor who uniquely is found in most of Hollywood's better award-wining movies from the late 30's to the late fifties. He never has a mediocre performance. Errol Flynn was at his best prior to this movie but still his skill is clearly demonstrated. Ann Sheridan plays the part of a " strong woman " by donning mens' clothing in her pursuit of being a business woman with her silver mining husband. Typical of most movies prior to the mid-60's; there is either one or no comment on woman cross-dressing into cowboy duds. Errol does say in the script " you look very silly wearing pants "; Ann claims " I borrowed them from my brother " and " would look more silly not wearing any right now " . Her pants are slim fitted, showing her beautiful feminine figure, allowing for them to be tucked into tall mens' riding boots. She cuts a very seductive figure in her " brother's borrowed clothes ".

In his last film with director Walsh (after many successes), Flynn plays a darker character than was usually his style. During the last gasps of the Civil War, Flynn (A Union soldier) is guarding a payroll wagon and is attacked by Confederate troops. After attempting to outrun them, he decides to destroy the money rather than surrender it. This act of strategy on his part is perceived as treason by the US military and he's dishonorably discharged. Embittered, he sets off on a life of selfishness and conquest, grabbing everything he can get at almost any cost. He starts with gambling, then moves into silver mining and banking, with his war buddy D'Andrea along for the ride. He also befriends a grizzly drunken lawyer (Mitchell) who eventually gets his act together (perhaps a bit too well!) Like King David of The Bible (a point directly addressed in the film), he covets married woman Sheridan whose mild-mannered husband Bennett is rather easily disposed of. Flynn winds up having it all, but once he's at the top, there's only one way to go and that's down. Flynn was, at this stage, beginning to show signs of wear in his looks and his dedication to his craft. He's still good and still handsome, but nowhere near the heights he had previously enjoyed. His character here is more downbeat than audiences may be used to and though he's still roguish (which is when Flynn is at his best), he's less easy to root for than he was when portraying more traditionally heroic men. In some ways (such as near the end of the film) his weariness actually helps the characterization, but his usual sparkle is missed. The actor was experiencing a lot of pressure at the time from the studio and the director to avoid his usual late-night partying and he heavily resented it. Sheridan is solid. Her remarkably deep voice aids her in displaying a woman who is just as at home in either a frilly ball gown or a shirt and dungarees. Her strong persona allows her to emerge from under some of the largest and most ornate hair to be seen in a 1940's western. This is a lady who will politely pour punch and dance, but isn't above thrashing an interloper with a buggy whip if he's in her path! Mitchell gives another showy (some might say hammy), but dedicated performance. Bennett (a former Tarzan) is just right for his role as a kind, but meek, miner who is just too nice to be able to hold on to his possessions. D'Andrea is basically a footman to Flynn throughout, but does have one hilarious scene in which he guides the townspeople through Flynn's new mansion, emphasizing the rare nature of all the furnishings. The film has a nearly epic feel at times, covering several years, despite the reduced budget. Attractive settings and costumes, hordes of extras and a particularly good Max Steiner score help bring it over. It may be a tad too long, but only a few sequences drag. Most of the film clips along, interestingly, until it's fairly predictable conclusion.

A more mature western from a Stephen Longstreet novel traces the career of a rather corrupt adventurer (Flynn) who stops at nothing to assure himself of wealth in a rough and tough gambling town. He chases an attractive woman (Ann Sheridan) who becomes a widow fast when her husband is allowed to stray into Indian territory while they're on the warpath. He makes all sorts of deals to increase his wealth, betrays others right and left and refuses to heed the warnings of his drunken pal (Thomas Mitchell). He only reforms at the last minute, in time for a happy ending. Much of the story stretches credibility a bit, especially when his drunken pal goes on to run for senator.The Flynn-Sheridan combo makes the tale bearable but it's a little too long for comfort. Technicolor would have bolstered the handsome production values and given the film the A-production look it strives for. Evidently, Warners was afraid to give Errol the benefit of technicolor for this particular western.Flynn gives an uneven performance--in some scenes subtle and convincing, in others seeming not to care. He's still handsome here but beginning to show signs of hard living. Ann Sheridan is her usual feisty self but their strained relationship at the start is a sure fire sign that they will soon be paired romantically.No more than a conventional western yarn with some serious overtones, but it could have been so much better.

Flynn plays an unscrupulous sleaze-bag for most of the film, and it fits him like a glove. Sheridan is plucky but not quite as beautiful as I'm used to seeing her. Flynn is out after the married Sheridan with a leer in his eye, but there's not a lot of sexual tension once he's got his hands on her. Large-scale battle and mob scenes show off the large budget. Better than usual score from Max Steiner. A nice A-production from Warner Brothers that you probably haven't seen, but not much more than that.