Red-blooded DRAMA!

Newlyweds Gilbert and Lana Martin (Henry Fonda, Claudette Colbert) settle in New York, but the Revolutionary War forces them to fight the British as well as the Mohawk. The same year he made one of the greatest westerns ever, Stagecoach, director John Ford also gave us this classic portrayal of Colonial life. It is in glorious Technicolor, which it really doesn’t have to be. The movie was also shot outdoors; the filmmakers have been careful to make it seem as authentic-looking as possible. The focus is on making the settlers look hard-working, stout and courageous, and the results are conventional but exciting. Edna May Oliver excels as the stubborn widow.

The YouTube clip shows the trailer.

1939-U.S. 105 min. Color. Produced by Raymond Griffith. Directed by John Ford. Cinematography: Bert Glennon, Ray Rennahan. Cast: Claudette Colbert (Lana Martin), Henry Fonda (Gilbert Martin), Edna May Oliver (Sarah McKlennar), John Carradine, Jessie Ralph, Arthur Shields… Ward Bond.

Published 2007-01-06 08:05