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• Bogart's role is politically incorrect

  • Jarrod McDonald
  • 2/18/11

  But then so were a lot of classic film parts. If you can get past his miscasting, there's a lot to be enjoyed here. Of particular note is Miriam Hopkins who guides Errol Flynn to an unusually strong performance. I think Hopkins should've done more westerns. She excelled at everything thing she did on film.

• Virginia City (1940)

  • Barry Brittain
  • 10/18/10

  Excellent Errol Flynn western!! This was one of director Michael Curtiz's best! Beautiful cinematography, it should have been at least nominated in this category! Even though it was shot in black and white, the California and especially the Arizona desert location shots were stunning to say the least! Curtiz must have been watching some of John Ford's early westerns, the whole style of the movie looks very much "Ford-like"! Some critics say that Humphrey Bogart was miscast as the Mexican bandido "with the pencil-thin moustache". I have to strongly disagree! While it is true that Bogart was being typecast in villainous roles a few too many times in this portion of his career and that his potential as a leading man/good guy was not yet being realized (fortunately THE MALTESE FALCON was just around the corner and would mark a spectacular turning point for him) I think that he played the bad guy particularly well in this one. He was a pretty versatile actor! I always enjoy seeing a movie with Errol Flynn and Alan Hale Sr. They always seemed to work so well together and seemed like such good friends! I too was surprised to see Randolph Scott in a villainous role! I always thought he was better as the good guy!

• Terrific Early Western

  • Chase K.
  • 11/28/09

  This early Western (directed during Curtiz's peak years at Warner Bros.) is a sprawling slice of American patriotism, as Errol Flynn's Union captain takes on Randolph Scott's Confederate gold-smuggler during the waning days of the Civil War. As Flynn and Scott, two clear enemies, find their moral footing, it becomes a clear, wonderful (if all too reverent) symbol of the nation's path to rebuilding and recovery. In my opinion, it's better than the 1939 Flynn-de Havilland Technicolor "Dodge City", which is a fine film in its own right in that Flynn/heroic sort of way. "Virginia City" is more John Ford than Michael Curtiz, and I love it for that. Tremendous Max Steiner score and Sol Polito B&W photography, as well. Plus who doesn't want to see Humphrey Bogart as an outlaw with a pencil-thin moustache and a spanish accent?

• Miscast cast!

  • Steve
  • 7/2/09

  Errol is great and so are his usual sidekicks Hale & Williams but Bogie as a Mexican outlaw or Ms. Hopkins as Flynn's love interest - it just doesn't work. Also, Randolph Scott playing the heavy - you can tell that he much rather be the "good" guy!

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