Customer Reviews

Silver River [VHS]

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Hang on to your Stetson. This is Errol Flynn in one of his best post World War 2 nuanced roles. From the riproaring opening on the Civil War battlefield of Gettysburg, where Flynn destroys a million dollars in Union greenbacks,the way west to Silver City is paved with action,blind ambition,lust and redemption. Mike McComb (Flynn) is a complex character. He is a charming rogue and a ruthless competitor. McComb will traverse any length to have what he wants when he wants it, be it a money making enterprise or another man's wife. Flynn's character is a marvel to watch as he climbs to the summit of power and finally pays the price for his ambition. Supporting Errol in this entertaining morality tale are some Warner Brothers' stock company pros. The lovely Ann Sheridan is both elegant and earthy. Miss Sheridan matches Flynn's on screen charisma frame for frame as the object of desire. Tom D'Andrea as Errol's friend and bodyguard is affable in a solid performance. Thomas Mitchell returns from an alcoholic fog and pulls off a credible performance as McCombs' conscience. And how can Barton MacLane be anything but perfect as the thuggish villian in this unusual western.

Here is a fifty-plus year old movie with some very 1990's character sensibilities.

Errol Flynn stars as an unfairly disgraced Union officer who decides to look out for number one in post-Civil War America. He quickly builds a financial empire, methodically taking over Silver City, a town dependant on its silver mines. Of course, a lot of people have to pay for his ambition and ruthlessness, and in the end, so must he.

Flynn's performance is better than usual throughout most of the film, his own personal sense of disillusionment no doubt contributing. Ann Sheridan, as the feisty woman he loves, is stronger in the first half of the film. Thomas Mitchell, as the sermonizing lawyer, gets some great speeches which he plays for what they are worth.

Unfortunately, the movie's moral message is laid on a bit heavy. A little less talk and a little more action would have been an improvement. Director Raoul Walsh is usually very good at mixing character development with action, but it doesn't come together here. The actors and the director seem "tired" with this film, and the results show on the screen. It's an average Western that probably could have been much more.

Errol Flynn is one of a kind. He pulled this Western adventure off with style and little effort. The film looks at how position and power can change our best intentions. A good film in all.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents "SILVER RIVER" (1948) (110 min/B&W) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) -- Starring Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan, Thomas Mitchell, Bruce Bennet, Tom D'Andrea & Barton MacLane

Directed by Raoul Walsh

After being handed a dishonorable discharge during the Civil War, Mike McComb (Errol Flynn) becomes a professional gambler and follows a path of ruthless action to get what he wants. After moving out West and making a killing prospecting silver, McComb becomes a wealthy and powerful man, and he finds himself infatuated with beautiful Georgia Moore (Ann Sheridan). However, Georgia is married to Stanley Moore (Bruce Bennett), who works for McComb, so he arranges for Stanley to be given a dangerous assignment; Stanley is killed, and McComb sweeps the widowed Georgia off her feet. Georgia weds McComb, but in time she finds out the ugly truth about her second husband, leaving him behind. Devastated, McComb sets out to mend his ways and win Georgia back by serving more noble purposes.

"Silver River" is an under-appreciated, near classic western, the complex, biographical-like plotting, solid performances by supporting actors and well choreographed overall action make this a clear four star winner.

"Silver River" was the seventh Flynn vehicle directed by Raoul Walsh

Another great score by Max Steiner.

BIOS:
1. Raoul Walsh (Director)
Date of Birth: 11 March 1887 - New York, New York
Date of Death: 31 December 1980 - Simi Valley, California

2. Errol Flynn [aka: Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn]
Date of Birth: 20 June 1909, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Date of Death: 14 October 1959, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

3. Ann Sheridan
Date of Birth: 21 February 1915 - Denton, Texas
Date of Death: 21 January 1967 - Los Angeles, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 4 Stars
Performance: 4 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 110 min on DVD ~ Warner Bros. Pictures ~ (12/07/1994)

The previous opinions are similar to my own opinion , except I'll add that Ann Sheridan looks great in men's tight riding pants and tall boots. She has a fantastic alluring figure.Both Errol and Ann do strong confrontational roles.

Star Flynn and director Walsh worked together on two previous movies namely Gentleman Jim and They Died With Their Boots On.This was to be their final collaboration and it lacks the mythologising power of its predecessors but it still remains a solid Western of its era.
Flynn is cast in a relatively unsympathetic role for once .He plays Mike McComb who starts the movie as an officer in the Civil War who burns $ 1 million in payroll rather than see it fall into Confederate hands an action resulting in him being cashiered .He moves West with gambling equipment purloined from crooked gamblers and opens a saloon in Silver River where his rise to power and wealth is meteoric .He comes to own mines ,a bank and a grandiose mansion on the outskirts of town riding roughshod over opposition and with only raddled attorney Beck (Thomas Mitchell)to serve as a critic and conscience .He lovesGeorgia (Ann Sheridan)who is married to Stanley (Bruce Bennett) whom he disposes of by putting him in harms way during an Indian uprising .His methods disgust the townsfolk and Beck and his rivals gang up om him to bring him down
There are overtones of David and Bathsheba in the tale and the script also refers to Julius Caesar and Hamlet ,the movie echoing their themes in part

The first part is a tale of how an Empire is built and its second ,darker part examines the process of downfall and redemption .It is a relatively bleak movie for its era warning of the dangerrs posed by hubris and pride .Good performnces all round ,a rousing score from Max Steiner and a glossy productiom mean we get a strong but not classic studio system Western which all Flyn devotees will enjoy