Nessieldwi
Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.
Taraparain
Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.
ActuallyGlimmer
The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.
MartinHafer
Years ago, I saw Errol Flynn sing in "Thank Your Lucky Stars". He wasn't particularly good, but the song seemed to fit his limited range and was a pleasant addition to the movie. Little did I know that in addition to this movie, Flynn also sang in "Montana"--again, he wasn't that good, but the song was pleasant and worked because it worked pretty well for a man who was definitely not a singer. While this isn't THE reason to watch this film, for old time film nuts like myself, it sure is an incentive.This is one of several westerns Flynn made for Warner Brothers, though oddly the movie wasn't released for two years after it was completed. The reason doesn't appear to be because it's a bad film, as it's an amiable film--perhaps it had something to do with contract negotiations.For once, Flynn actually plays an Australian! Considering his accent, this made a lot more sense than some of these other films where you assume he's supposed to be a 100% born and bred American! And, like most of his other Warner westerns, this one is shot in glorious color--and it sure looks pretty.The film begins with Flynn and his men moving sheep into Montana--even though cattlemen have promised to kill any sheepmen who enter the territory. And, not surprisingly, soon on of Flynn's men is killed. Instead of an all-out response, Flynn goes undercover into town to scout out the situation. To do so, he joins up with Cuddles Sakall, who is a traveling merchant. In this guise, he soon works his way into Alexis Smith's heart--and she is the owner of one of the biggest cattle outfits. But, when his identity as a sheep lover (don't take that the wrong way, please) is discovered, the blossoming romance is dead. However, considering it IS Errol Flynn, you have an inkling that when all is said and done that they'll be back together.In the meantime, Flynn and his new buddy, Tecumseh (Paul Burns) realize that their beef (so to speak) isn't with ALL the cattle ranchers--just the big outfits that seek to boss everyone around. If the little ranchers and sheep ranchers could work things out, they could all get along...but what about the biggies? Tired of being pushed around, a shaky alliance is forged...but what about the biggies? As for Flynn, he's pretty much the usual Flynn--mostly because the effects of his wild life and alcoholism haven't yet shown. In other words, in this film, he's still rather 'pretty' and the Flynn most have come to enjoy. A decade later, he'd become big and bloated and appeared 25 years older--and he had trouble with his lines and acting because of all the booze. And, for Smith, she's the typical 'tough dame' you'd expect to find in westerns--the anachronistic and petulant lady who, down deep, is a ball of fire. She was good at the role, but it was awfully formulaic. One thing that IS interesting, though, is that there really is no 'big bad boss' in the film--a bad guy who seems to be THE power in the film and THE man who must be broken by the end of the movie. Smith fills in, somewhat, in this role but the film really does lack someone to truly hate. The closest you have is Smith's foreman or Jock, but they aren't quite up to it either.Generally the film was quite good despite being formulaic (thus making it predictable--especially at the silly ending). There was a goofy fight scene between the foreman and Flynn after the foreman murdered someone in front of witnesses. During this fight, no one--not one person--did ANYTHING--they just stood back and watched. Hey folks, the guy just murdered a cattle rancher--don't you think it's time you did SOMETHING other than just stand there and watch?! Overall, despite its script's shortcomings, it's a fun western and well worth seeing--even if it is all rather easy to figure out long before the end.
srpwx
Errol Flynn, as a sheep-herder? Say it ain't sew! No wonder Flynn drank his way through this turgid Western. I'd be pulling the wool over your eyes by saying Flynn doesn't mail it in. Lots of short scenes with many edits plus obvious studio cuts against outdoor backdrops. Flynn's first film in 1950 but the miles and trials were taking a toll on Errol. His eyes were too bloodshot to shoot some scenes.Nevertheless, the Technicolor cinematography (Calabasas Ranch)is first rate plus production values make up for the drab characters. It's tough to care about anyone except beautiful, flaming redhead, Alexis Smith. I've never seen whiter teeth in my life. Cute little scar on her chin too. Flynn and Smith have some nice scenes plus sing a fun little ditty: Reckon, I'm in love! Seriously, it's not bad! A sheep-herder invades cattle country! If this sounds like a bum steer of a film, you're probably right but it's Flynn in his final decade. He went downhill fast from here but "amoung other things", he still looks good next to Alexis.
Terrell-4
"Montana Territory...1879...where cattle was king...where the law was a gun...and the men who drove the great herds up from Texas made the rules. They were hard men...they had to be hard to keep alive..." And not just the men. Cattle queen Maria Singleton (Alexis Smith) is not about to let a bunch of stinkin' sheep onto prime cattle land. She and Rod Ackroyd (Douglas Kennedy), equally prejudiced against mutton, run things in this section of Montana Territory. It's not going to be easy or pleasant when Morgan Lane (Errol Flynn) shows up on horseback with a lot of sheep following him. All he wants is a chance to prove that cattle and sheep and share the same land profitably. While he's trying to do this, sometimes with humor, sometimes with his fists, men will die, the sneaky Ackroyd will get his, a great stampede will take place and Maria will find out that at least some sheepmen don't stink as much as their sheep. This routine oater is competently enough made, but there's not an original idea in either the script or the direction. At some point Raoul Walsh is said to have stepped in to help with the directing. Perhaps that's why there are some scenes involving Errol Flynn that have a little juice in them. At 41, Flynn looks his age. He may not be entirely convincing in a fistfight, but for the most part the movie shows him using more charm and brains, not brawn. His looks hadn't yet fallen victim to booze and gravity. That would come in the next two or three years. In The Master of Ballantrae, 1953, he looks as tired and worn as Roger Livesey looks corrupted and drunk, but Livesey was wearing make-up. The Fifties saw Flynn as just another alcoholic and the punch line of jokes. His last movie, released in 1959, the year of his death at age 50, was something called Cuban Rebel Girls. For those who enjoy S. Z. "Cuddles" Sakoll, this shtick-carrying character actor, so cute...so wobbly...so predictable, shows up early in the movie and then just disappears. For those who enjoy music, we hear Celito Lindo warbled around a nighttime campfire and Old Dan Tucker sung by rough cowboys in close harmony. For those who enjoy the bizarre, we even have Errol Flynn strumming a guitar and singing "Reckon I'm in Love"... "I met a certain someone who makes me feel that way. And ever since I met her I'm a singin' in the saddle 'Skidoodle diddle daddle' all the day." Flynn smiles while singing this, but he must have needed a drink afterwards.
alexandre michel liberman (tmwest)
Flynn is bringing sheep into cattle territory, where he is received with bullets. In order to go to town he passes as a peddler and falls in love with Alexis Smith (great as always). This is an agreeable and lighthearted western, at a certain moment Flynn and Alexis Smith even sing!!! There is a good color cinematography, although not as good as in "San Antonio", which besides this one and "Dodge City" were the only westerns Flynn did in color. Ray Enright was quite good at making westerns he could make them in quantity and with quality (Kansas Raiders, The Spoilers, Return of the Bad Men) The story here is much better than in "San Antonio", Borden Chase has to his credit some of the best westerns like Winchester 73 and Red River but Flynn was getting older and not so ideal for the character he played. When I saw this film for the second time I enjoyed it much more because I had lower expectations. "Montana" is no "Dodge City" but it is quite enjoyable.
