Silver River (1948)

Just what I expected

Boring

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Definitelly Errol Flynn didn't work 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

Despite being Tasmanian by birth, Errol Flynn did quite a few westerns, and, oddly enough, they were all pretty good. Part of it clearly is that he had the wonderful resources of Warner Brothers behind him. As big dollar projects from one of the top studios, they could put the best directors, cameramen, supporting casts and locations into these films. And so, while "Silver River" isn't among the very best of these films, it's still awfully good.Flynn plays Mike McComb--the sort of role that Clark Gable also excelled with at the time. He's brave, tough but also VERY jaded--and a man out mostly for himself. You see early on in the picture how Flynn's character became so disaffected with the world and throughout this rags to riches film, you see that Mike is doing everything he can to show the world that he's nobody's man but his own--and he listens to no one. Slowly, he builds a silver empire until finally his own hubris cause his competitors to gang up against him and try to force him into bankruptcy.Along the way, however, Mike does something far worse than drive hard to be #1. He's fallen in love with a married woman (Ann Sheridan) and later, in a real lapse in judgment, he sets up her husband to die--just like the Biblical story of David and Bathsheba. In fact, the film has a conscience in the form of the reformed town drunk, Thomas Mitchell, as he's seen what Mike has done and won't let him forget it. And, like David, by the end, there is a miraculous change of heart and Mike has a minor redemption as the final credits roll.Very good acting, an interesting plot and a lot of action--this is well wroth your time even if you aren't a big western fan.

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 ".

In his last film with director Walsh (after many successes), Flynn plays a darker character than was usually his style. During the last gasps of the Civil War, Flynn (A Union soldier) is guarding a payroll wagon and is attacked by Confederate troops. After attempting to outrun them, he decides to destroy the money rather than surrender it. This act of strategy on his part is perceived as treason by the US military and he's dishonorably discharged. Embittered, he sets off on a life of selfishness and conquest, grabbing everything he can get at almost any cost. He starts with gambling, then moves into silver mining and banking, with his war buddy D'Andrea along for the ride. He also befriends a grizzly drunken lawyer (Mitchell) who eventually gets his act together (perhaps a bit too well!) Like King David of The Bible (a point directly addressed in the film), he covets married woman Sheridan whose mild-mannered husband Bennett is rather easily disposed of. Flynn winds up having it all, but once he's at the top, there's only one way to go and that's down. Flynn was, at this stage, beginning to show signs of wear in his looks and his dedication to his craft. He's still good and still handsome, but nowhere near the heights he had previously enjoyed. His character here is more downbeat than audiences may be used to and though he's still roguish (which is when Flynn is at his best), he's less easy to root for than he was when portraying more traditionally heroic men. In some ways (such as near the end of the film) his weariness actually helps the characterization, but his usual sparkle is missed. The actor was experiencing a lot of pressure at the time from the studio and the director to avoid his usual late-night partying and he heavily resented it. Sheridan is solid. Her remarkably deep voice aids her in displaying a woman who is just as at home in either a frilly ball gown or a shirt and dungarees. Her strong persona allows her to emerge from under some of the largest and most ornate hair to be seen in a 1940's western. This is a lady who will politely pour punch and dance, but isn't above thrashing an interloper with a buggy whip if he's in her path! Mitchell gives another showy (some might say hammy), but dedicated performance. Bennett (a former Tarzan) is just right for his role as a kind, but meek, miner who is just too nice to be able to hold on to his possessions. D'Andrea is basically a footman to Flynn throughout, but does have one hilarious scene in which he guides the townspeople through Flynn's new mansion, emphasizing the rare nature of all the furnishings. The film has a nearly epic feel at times, covering several years, despite the reduced budget. Attractive settings and costumes, hordes of extras and a particularly good Max Steiner score help bring it over. It may be a tad too long, but only a few sequences drag. Most of the film clips along, interestingly, until it's fairly predictable conclusion.