Directed by Michael Curtiz
Starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Raymond Massey, Ronald Reagan, Alan Hale, Van Heflin, Guinn “Big Boy” Williams, Ward Bond
Warner Bros. had a real knack for stomping all over American history in the name of making a good movie. Santa Fe Trail (1940) is a prime example.
Historic figures like “Jeb” Stuart (Errol Flynn), John Brown (Raymond Massey), George Armstrong Custer (Ronald Reagan), Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis pop in and out of this thing, bumping into each other in very non-actual ways. But none of that matters, since the performances and direction are great, and the whole thing runs at about a mile a minute.
This was the seventh of Flynn’s pictures with Olivia de Havilland. They’d do only one more together Raoul Walsh’s They Died With Their Boots On (1941), with Flynn playing George Armstrong Custer, who Reagan plays in this one. Raymond Massey is terrific as John Brown — who cares about the realities of it.
It’ll be great to see Santa Fe Trail in high definition after its years in public domain VHS/DVD hell. Highly recommended.
50 Westerns From The 50s. 
It’s good news to see this getting a BLU RAY upgrade,but WB have not upgraded their website or Facebook page to announce this or THE NAKED SPUR although I’ve seen both on Amazon getting released in September 14th for SANTA FE TRAIL and a week later for THE NAKED SPUR.
Yes these recent Warner Archive restorations are really something.
OBJECTIVE BURMA was recently given a sparkling restoration.
The film was not received well in the UK and as a kid I always remember
adults calling it the film where Flynn won WW2 single handed.
All of this was of course grossly unfair OBJECTIVE BURMA is one tough
movie and Flynn has a quiet authority throughout.
There are many outstanding scenes and the film grips for it’s 140 minute plus
running time.
Gut wrenching scene where Flynn encounters his buddy William Prince,or
should I say what’s left of him having endured excessive torture.
Prince begs Flynn to finish him off and Raoul Walsh just shows us Flynn’s
face his acting in this powerful scene is beyond wonderful.
OBJECTIVE BURMA is one great War Movie.
Objective Burma and They Were Expendable are my favorite war films of the 40s. Both, as I see em, are near-perfect films.
Flynn is as good as it gets in that one.
Yes, to all and Errol was a terrific actor.
I just ordered THE NAKED SPUR and SANTA FE TRAIL.Raymond Massey is terrific as John Brown.Imprint BLU RAY have announced their November releases.Nothing of interest for western fans,but there are some hard to get titles.I just bought THE ALAN LADD COLLECTION VOL 3,THE OVERLANDERS BLU RAY and THE FILMS OF CHARLTON HESTON with 6 movies including THE SAVAGE and PONY EXPRESS.Network have also released THE OVERLANDERS on BLU RAY in the UK but the Aussie release has more extras .For anyone who hasn’t seen this film ,it’s sort of an Australian western about cattle droving during World War 2.Recommended.
Just announced on Kino Lorber’s facebook page is a new release of John Ford’s The Horse soldiers (1959) with a brand New 4K master. (The current MGM Blu-Ray is imperfect).
Kino Lorber have THE HORSE SOLDIERS coming to BLU RAY soon on a 4K Master .No extras (if any) have been announced.2 rare William Holden films are also coming ,THE CHRISTMAS TREE BLU RAY & DVD ,21 HOURS AT MUNICH ,BLU RAY .I have 21 HOURS AT MUNICH on DVD but have never seen THE CHRISTMAS TREE.Good to see William Holden films getting released on BLU RAY.Who’d have thought THE BLUE KNIGHT would be released on BLU RAY,which reminds me,they still haven’t released the TV series version with George Kennedy which was announced some time back.I’d like to see SUBMARINE COMMAND get released which I believe has legal issues with the music holding it up.
Great news for western fans.Imprint have just announced their December releases and amongst them is LAST TRAIN FROM GUN HILL on a 6K film transfer (same as the Paramount Presents release) which I recently bought .I wish I had of waited as this has a terrific cover with a swag of extras.I don’t think I’ll be double dipping although it is tempting.Check it out.
Hi Graham-the only difference (apart from the swell packaging)
is the added commentary which I can live without.
However thanks for directing me to Imprint’s December releases
as I’m very excited about THE NAKED JUNGLE on Blu Ray and
mega excited about Ida Lupino’s OUTRAGE given a top end
restoration.
From a personal note…..the more Mala Powers in high def the better,
all this on top of Imprint’s super transfer of UNKNOWN TERROR
Some great things coming out of Australia these days including those
nifty Umbrella double bills
John,yes it’s good that Austalia is releasing some good things (although THE EARTHLING release from Umbrella was terrible).Luckily Kino did a better restoration.I would like FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER and GUNFIGHT AT THE OK CORRAL to get the Imprint treatment even though the latter is already on BLU RAY which I have .Eureka done a good job with SHANE.I was unaware of this release when it came out and wanted to get the 2 disc version which sold out.I was lucky enough to get a second hand copy.I hardly buy second hand but I was eager to buy it.I believe the single disc version is still available.