The Howards of Virginia
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | The Howards of Virginia |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1940 |
| length | 116 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Frank Lloyd |
| script | Sidney Buchman |
| production | Frank Lloyd |
| music | Richard Hagemann |
| camera | Bert Glennon |
| cut | Paul Weatherwax |
| occupation | |
| |
The Howards of Virginia is an American drama directed by Frank Lloyd with Cary Grant from 1940. The novel The Tree of Liberty by Elizabeth Page served as a literary model .
action
Virginia in the mid-18th century: The fate of young Matt Howard, a poor hillbilly, changes dramatically when he meets the teenage Thomas Jefferson . They become friends and when Matt moves to Williamsburg as a surveyor years later , Jefferson makes sure that his friend can stay with the wealthy Peyton family. But when the Peytons learn of Matt's rural roots, he is fired from them. However, Matt returns to court Jane Peyton, the daughter of the house. For her part, Jane is determined to make Matt an educated and respected man. To the horror of her family, especially her brother Fleetwood, Jane marries Matt and moves with him to the lonely wilderness of the Shenandoah Valley , where they now cultivate a plantation. When their first child, a boy they call Peyton, is crippled, Matt finds it difficult to accept his son, especially as he reminds him of Fleetwood, who is also disabled.
As Matt's reputation grew in the area, Jefferson encouraged him to get into politics and stand for election to the House of Burgess. Matt actually emerges victorious in the election and becomes the new representative of his region. When a military conflict develops between Great Britain and the colonies in America, Matt joins the army, although Jane asks him to stay with her and their family. Matt's decision and his neglect of Peyton drive a deep wedge into his marriage, which had been strained for several years by Matt and Jane's different origins. When Matt moves to the American Revolutionary War , Jane takes the children and seeks refuge at Fleetwood. But when Jane's grown sons get into an argument with Fleetwood, a die-hard royalist, they follow their father to the front lines to fight for their democratic beliefs. When Peyton risks his own life in battle, Matt begins to respect and appreciate his eldest son. He and Jane find each other again.
background
The filming took place in Santa Cruz and at original locations in Williamsburg , among others .
The Howards of Virginia premiered on September 19, 1940 at New York's Radio City Music Hall , but it turned out to be a box office flop. The film was not released in Germany.
Reviews
"As a contemporary document of social progress, this film is a masterly job," praised Bosley Crowther of the New York Times at the time . Martha Scott is "excellent" in the role of Jane. The weak point and "only disappointment" of the film is Cary Grant in the role of Matt. Nevertheless, despite a length of two hours, “one of the best historical films to date” was made.
Awards
The film was nominated in the two categories Best Film Music and Best Sound at the Academy Awards in 1941 .
Web links
- The Howards of Virginia in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- The Howards of Virginia in the All Movie Guide (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ cf. omovie.com
- ^ "As a record of social progression, this film is a master work. […] Martha Scott is excellent […]. The only disappointment - and it is a major one - is Cary Grant as Matt. [...] But regardless of that and regardless of the film's two-hour running time, it is one of the best historical pictures to date. " Bosley Crowther , “The Howards of Virginia,” a Fine Historical Drama, at Music Hall . In: The New York Times , September 27, 1940.