Avis des utilisateurs

"Silver River" is an under-appreciated, near classic western, that cries out for two things, color and greater chemistry between Flynn and Sheridan. Flynn liked VERY young women; he was probably intimidated by the mature, stronger, types, and Sheridan was one of the strongest. The hostile fireworks between them are quite convincing, the romance, less so. Since Flynn's feelings for Sheridan are central to the plot and thematic elements of this movie, this could have been disastrous. However, the complex, biographical-like plotting, solid performances by supporting actors and well choreographed overall action make up for this. The behavior of Flynn's character is quite understandable. When he is unselfish, he invariably suffers, having his career destroyed, not once, but twice. Thomas Mitchell's reformed drunk turned senatorial candidate would seem far fetched, until we are reminded that President Grant (a key character in the story) was a reformed alcoholic. Mitchell does the right things for the wrong reasons, Flynn the wrong things for the right reasons. This is certainly my favorite Errol Flynn western. I just wish Warner Brothers had given Flynn his usual "A" treatment and opted for color. I give "Silver River" an "8".

This Raoul Walsh's movie looks like a Republic western, most of them urban western taking place in Frisco in music halls, lobbies, or aboard a river boat more than a classic western shot in Death Valley. It is not what you could expect it to be, especially with Errol Flynn. It could have been written by an optimist Norman Mailer or Scott Fitzgerald, because this movie is not sad, not gloomy, saving a predictable ending for Hollywood standard. Good stuff for gem lovers. Not my Raoul Walsh's stuff for sure. And far too long for my taste.

Directed by Raoul Walsh, who undoubtedly was one of the maestros of the western genre, Silver River hardly can be called one of director's best works. It was the last Walsh's film made with Errol Flynn, and the only one they made together that hadn't achieved success at the Box Office.

The story of Silver River is based on a novel by Stephen Longstteet, but it's also an apparent `western' retelling of Bible's story of King David. The film begins at the time of battle of Gettysburg during American Civil War with a quite remarkable chase sequence where the wagon of Captain of the Union Army Michael McComb (Errol Flynn) is chased by Confederate soldiers who are after the 1 million $ of Union money destined to be paid to the soldiers. In order to avoid that the Confederates take the money, McComb decides to simply burn it. As a consequence of this act, he's expelled from the army.

An unscrupulous adventurer, McComb moves to the silver mine town in the west, where he quickly becomes rich and powerful mines' owner along with his partner Stanley Moore (Bruce Bennett) controlling all the town's industry and banks. Nothing can stop his greed and ambition and he further rises to power and an enormous wealth, promptly sending his business partner to death, marrying his beautiful wife Georgia (Ann Sheridan) and becoming the only master of the town and one of the most influential and rich men in the state. But his triumph doesn't last for a long time for his achievements tend to be impermanent as everything in this world, so by the twist of fate he finds himself again on the bottom of the well losing everything.

Quite an average western with nothing particularly good or particularly bad about it, thou in my opinion worth watching, but don't expect to be much entertained by it or you might be very disappointed. 7/10

Despite Stephen Longstreet and Harriet Frank's too verbose screenplay (was it really necessary to give Thomas Mitchell THREE condemnatory speeches of Errol Flynn when one would do?) and noted action director Raoul Walsh's obvious discomfort with examining the vicissitudes of the passionless Ann Sheridan/Bruce Bennet marriage to say nothing of trying to enliven business intrigue centered around cornering the silver market, I kind of enjoyed this rare foray of Flynn into anti hero-dom. Don't know whether it's because it mirrored what was going on in his private life or if he's just an under rated actor, but the guy does dark complexity of character rather well, in my opinion. Give it a B minus.

PS...The scene with U. S. Grant has to be the most superficial Hollywood portrayal of an American president until Pat McCormick essayed Grover Cleveland in Altman's "Buffalo Bill And The Indians", (another flawed but fun western).

Bearing in mind its problematic production this western hasn't turned out too badly. By the time he made this Errol Flynn's halcyon days had gone and his stock with Warner Bros was pretty low. He was in his prime and still 'box office' but his lifestyle was beginning to take its toll and his behaviour to test everyone's patience. Of the last two westerns he made before the studio terminated his contract, this one is infinitely better than the second although that wouldn't be difficult!

His co-star Ann Sheridan was herself no stranger to 'the sauce' and by all accounts she and Flynn sat around drinking iced water laced with Vodka.

Moreover director Raoul Walsh excelled in action sequences and soon became impatient with the rather verbose script. It must be said that after the thrilling opening sequence the rest of the film is something of an anti-climax.

Despite all this there is a great deal to recommend this film and its momentum keeps one watching. The direction is taut, the editing by Alan Crosland Jr is razor sharp and maestro Miklos Rozsa has provided a magnificent score.

The performance that stands out is that of Thomas Mitchell. He is a drunk who first becomes Flynn's lawyer and finally becomes the voice of his conscience. His part is the best written and he steals all of his scenes.

There is alas no great chemistry between the two stars and the scenes where they fight are far more effective than those in which they love. Flynn plays his part of a morally ambiguous, self-made businessman with aplomb but Miss Sheridan looks distinctly disengaged and lacks conviction. She was singularly unimpressed with the finished product.

This is far from being a classic western but one is happy to accept its weaknesses in exchange for its strengths.

Errol Flynn is kicked out of the Union Army at the end of the Civil War for disobeying orders, albeit for good reasons. Now embittered, he travels to Silver City, Nevada, where he becomes a successful businessman through ruthless tactics. He also has an eye for married Ann Sheridan. Eventually Flynn's ruthlessness catches up with him.

So-so western with a decent cast and director. Flynn's amoral character makes for interesting viewing, though the cop-out ending is absolutely terrible and undermines the rest of the film. Nice support from Thomas Mitchell, Tom D'Andrea, and Barton MacLane. The part with Ulysses S. Grant is amusing, particularly his short height, which is surprisingly historically accurate. The last of seven films Flynn made with director Raoul Walsh. Flynn's alcoholism and poor behavior while filming ticked Walsh off so much he refused to work with him again.

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 ".

This movie is a bit of a downer. The plot is hardly upbeat. It is a pessimistic story. Pessimistic stories can be engrossing-look at "The Treasure of Sierra Madre" for example-but, here, not all that much interesting happens. The performers do their usual shtick.. Sheridan, Bennett, and Mitchell are exactly the people you expect them to be, based on countless other movies. No great disadvantage, but no real advantage either.

Flynn is the main problem, but the problem is not with his looks. He appears older but still fit and handsome. He reads his lines and does his character well enough; his character is bitter and angry and cynical. But something very important is missing. The character is in no way likable. He is without humor, and, except for anger, without any juice, without any elan, without any positive emotion. We don't sympathize with him. We don't care if he repents.

Flynn looks unattractive because he plays an unattractive character. The movie has only a modicum of entertainment value primarily for this same reason.

Erroll Flynn epitomizes the American dream in his movie.he is the perfect go-getter,uneducated but very smart,who pushes everyone out of his way .Hints at David and Bethsabea are thoroughly relevant and gave the whole movie a timeless side.Stanley is a scientist,an engineer ,but what can he do?Wife Georgia is more reluctant but for her too,it's just a matter of time.

The story is parabolic:the rise and fall of a young Turk ,during the "silver rush" .The most important scene is the banquet ,in Mike's desirable property which chic people are quick to leave when a "drunk"

PLato has finished his long diatribe against his pal.Those posh people would never accept a nouveau riche in their aristocratic circle anyway.That scene is the central one,cause it contains both McComb's apex and his downfall.

This is another great movie by a director who made dozens of gems.

When Errol Flynn gets dishonorably discharged from the cavalry, what's he to do? Is he going to become a huge swashbuckling hero? Or is he going to be a conniving gambler? Normally, he's the nice guy, but in Silver River, he's a bit on the naughty side. It's quite a coincidence both Silver River and That Forsyte Woman were made in such close proximity; perhaps Errol Flynn was tired of playing the hero?

He has a faithful sidekick that's not Alan Hale in this one: Tom D'Andrea. Errol and Tom set off with a minor bankroll, making rash bets that pay off, intent on becoming the head honchos in their new town. Immediately, Errol butts heads with Ann Sheridan, who's married to Bruce Bennett, the owner of a thriving silver mine. Errol wants to make them indebted to him, and to eventually win Ann's affections, so he buys out shares of the silver mine. With an unscrupulous, boozy lawyer by his side, Thomas Mitchell, Errol starts his climb to the top.

If this doesn't sound good to you, you probably won't like it. Stick with movies like Captain Blood or Objective, Burma! if you want to see him as a hero. He's a bad boy in this one, but if you want to see him in the change of pace, give it a shot.

One of Errol Flynn's grittier parts this one. He ("McComb") gets his chance to go from dishonourably discharged cavalry officer to unscrupulous millionaire taking on all comers as he seeks to make his fortune from silver, and to win his gal "Georgia" (Ann Sheridan). Gradually, though, the enmity he has attracted starts to cause others to challenge him, to gang up on him, and he must fight for his very survival - especially when "Georgia" begins to believe he may have had a hand in the demise of her original husband. There is a good pace to this, his rise is stellar and the relationship with best pal "Beck" (Thomas Mitchell) and rival Bruce Bennett allow both of these characters room to breathe too, building to quite an enjoyably tense last fifteen minutes. I liked Flynn's performance here - his steely stare, angry determination and sheer bloody-mindedness took this otherwise routine drama just that little bit higher up the scale, and with strong supporting efforts and some good photography, made this an enjoyable western to watch.

Errol Flynn stars in this 1948 Western. Flynn gets cashiered out of Union Army when he & his partner burn a million dollars rather than the Confederate army getting their filthy mitts on it. Feeling more than a little miffed over the betrayal, Flynn, a consummate gambler stakes his claim in a silver mining town where after a bit soon takes over. He befriends a mine owner's wife, played by Ann Sheridan, but instead of charming her, when he needs wagons for his gambling gear she refuses him since she rented them first, he gets over on the wagons owner via poker matches stealing the wagons right from under her. As time goes on, Flynn soon sits on top of the mountain as his gambling establishments breed banks (where mining claims are used as currency) & courts the President of these United States to push his silver mine agenda. The tide turns however when Flynn knows about the dangers of particular region, which he hopes to exploit, overrun by Shoshone Indians but sends Sheridan's husband, Bruce Bennett, to survey the terrain where he ends up losing his life. He ends up winning Sheridan's hand but his close confidante, a drunk lawyer, played Thomas Mitchell, soon dissolves their relationship as the newly labeled 'King David' becomes more of a pariah than a successful businessman but Flynn's acumen w/playing a heel suits him well here even though we should hate him we end siding w/him just the same.

Great cast, mostly great production values, though it would have been better in wide screen color.

One of my cardinal rules is that there has got to be at least one likeable character in the movie, especially westerns. There's a lot of dysfunctional people in this movie and not enough enjoyable light hearted moments. Not that it's mandatory, but there's no comic relief. Not the type of movie that I'd ever want to re-watch. It's more politics than it is western and politics is usually pretty nasty, this being no exception.

Not good enough to be in my movie collection.

Errol Flynn is McComb, kicked out of the army for doing what he thought was right. he makes enemies out of Mrs. Moore (Ann Sheridan). and then partners up with her husband, and now he's in the mining business. Grant Mitchell is here as Beck, the sidekick. McComb sets up a bank, but to recoup his expenses of redeeming the mining paper, he wants a cut from all the miners in town. this sets in motion the bad blood of the other miners. of course, there will be a showdown, as McComb pushes them harder and harder. Some fun scenery of National Forest around Bishop. Silver River is pretty good. they could have ended it about halfway through, and it would have been a great film. there are some sound issues around 1 hour 10 minutes, and again at 1 hour 37 minutes, but it comes and goes pretty quickly. now the real struggles begin.. after all the successes McComb has had, he has to face up to real problems. even his buddy Beck has turned on him. the second hour isn't as good as the first... it goes all over the place and turns into a big epic piece. huge brawl. conflict. death. everyone punching everyone else. meh. should have stopped at about an hour ten minutes in. tries to be big and grandiose, but it gets silly. Directed by Raoul Walsh. worked with so many of the biggies in hollywood. The hard-living Flynn made this one in 1948, and would continue on for another ten years after this. then died young from all the rough living.

Errol Flynn is totally ruthless in Silver River. His usual twinkling charm is kept under lock and key while he pursues his relentless ambition in a Nevada mining town.

Silver River is one of the few Flynn movies of which I had never seen even a snippet. It plays like a 30s syndicate drama dressed up as a western and that's OK. It has a dark intensity that we rarely got in Errol Flynn movies. As usual, he's entirely up to the task. What a shame he wasn't allowed to appear in grittier fare more often.

Ann Sheridan portrays her character in Act 1 like she's, ahem, Helen Hunt. Her beauty is so buttoned up in those men's clothes I wondered how Flynn's character could be distracted by her. But I suppose the point was to emphasize he always chased harder after the unattainable. She's more relatable after she relents. Her performance at the dinner party is exemplary.

Thomas Mitchell knocks it out of the park as the voice of conscience. His performance here is as good as when he won the Oscar for Only Angels Have Wings. Tom D'Andrea excels as the sidekick/comic relief/excuse for exposition, bringing the goods while avoiding the buffoonery.

On the downbeat, Max Steiner's score was overblown, as usual. Did he - or more likely his intern - submit a score for Ben-Hur? This movie needed a much more subdued and reflective score. Steiner was a repetitive hack and a musical thief. I'm shocked how many people sing his praises on these threads.

Also, the wrong character paid the price in the end, but this is B&W Hollywood. Dark endings not allowed.

Definitelly Errol Flynn didn't works in western despite him tried hard to do it more l assure over it, the analogy told by the drunken lawyer John Plato Beck played by the great Thomas Mitchell one the greatest actor all time according over so many best acting along his career, about the biblical passage over the King David and Bathsheba was put in action on movie, Beck perhaps was the only good character who deserves so much attention, always speaking in speech way and has been a man who spent a time to study of human soul using facts from the past civilization, back to the movie for a western is more about politics matters instead what this genre used to provide, also Ann Sheridan's character after his husbund's death change too much your previous behavior gave us a lack of feelings!!!

Resume:

First watch: 2018 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7

Union soldier Mike McComb (Errol Flynn) is guarding the pay wagon when Confederate raiders come upon them. He heroically burns the $1 million before it could fall into enemy hands. Instead of praise, he is unjustly blamed for the incident and discharged without pay. He decides that he must look out for himself from then on. He starts doing deals and accumulate business wealth. Georgia Moore (Ann Sheridan) and her husband run the Silver River Mine.

This has a fun and exciting action opening which fits Errol Flynn very well. Then the movie turns into a long winding road of following McComb maneuvering business deals and making money. It's not that thrilling. It wants to be a romantic drama but McComb is always more interested in his business. It's long grinding watch.