SANTA FE TRAIL (1940) Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland & Raymond Massey | Drama, War, Western | B&W

Santa Fe Trail is a 1940 American Western film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Errol Flynn as J. E. B. "Jeb" Stuart, Olivia de Havilland, Raymond Massey as John Brown, Ronald Reagan as George Armstrong Custer and Alan Hale. Written by Robert Buckner, the film is critical of the abolitionist John Brown and his controversial campaign against slavery before the American Civil War. In a subplot, Jeb Stuart and George Armstrong Custer—who are depicted as friends from the same West Point graduating class—compete for the hand of Kit Carson Holliday.

The film ranked among the higher grossing films of the year, and the seventh Flynn–de Havilland collaboration. Its content has little relevance to the actual Santa Fe Trail.

SYNOPSIS
In 1854 at West Point Military Academy, cadet Carl Rader is dishonorably discharged for distributing anti-slavery pamphlets and inciting a brawl. His former classmates, Jeb Stuart and George Custer, become second lieutenants and are assigned to Fort Leavenworth in Kansas Territory. On their journey to Kansas, they meet Cyrus K. Holliday and his daughter Kit, with whom both officers fall in love.

Kansas is depicted as a war-torn territory due to John Brown's crusade against slavery. Rader joins Brown's army as a mercenary, participating in raids against slavery and clashing with Stuart and Custer during a skirmish. Stuart is captured but later rescued by Custer's cavalry.

Three years later in 1859, Stuart and Custer are in Washington, D.C., where Stuart proposes to Kit. However, Brown plans to raid Harper's Ferry, Virginia, sparking a new conflict. Rader, seeking revenge against Brown, informs Stuart of the impending raid. Troops arrive in time to suppress the rebellion, leading to Brown's trial and execution for treason. The film concludes with Stuart and Kit's wedding, symbolizing hope and reconciliation in a turbulent time.

CAST & CREW
Errol Flynn as James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart
Olivia de Havilland as Kit Carson Holliday
Raymond Massey as John Brown
Ronald Reagan as George Armstrong Custer
Alan Hale as Tex Bell
William Lundigan as Bob Holliday
Van Heflin as Carl Rader
Gene Reynolds as Jason Brown
Henry O'Neill as Cyrus K. Holliday
Guinn "Big Boy" Williams as Windy Brody
Alan Baxter as Oliver Brown
Moroni Olsen as Robert E. Lee
Ward Bond as Townley
Erville Alderson as Jefferson Davis
David Bruce as Phil Sheridan
Spencer Charters as Conductor

Director: Michael Curtiz
Writer: Robert Buckner
Producer: Hal B. Wallis
Cinematography: Sol Polito
Editing: George Amy
Music: Max Steiner
Production Company: Warner Bros. Pictures
Distribution: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Dates:
December 13, 1940 (Santa Fe, New Mexico, premiere)
December 20, 1940 (New York City)
Running Time: 110 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Budget: $1,115,000
Box Office: $2,533,000

NOTES
"Santa Fe Trail" takes liberties with historical facts, portraying Civil War-era figures like J.E.B. Stuart and George Custer as classmates stationed in Kansas together, despite graduating from West Point at different times. The film also inaccurately depicts Jefferson Davis's role and misrepresents events like the assault on Harper's Ferry.

Additionally, fictional characters like Carl Rader are introduced, and historical figures' actions are misrepresented. Anachronistic firearms and fictional family members further contribute to historical inaccuracies.

The film's depiction of slavery and African-American characters has drawn criticism for being insensitive and inaccurate, with scenes suggesting passivity and dependence on John Brown for freedom. A 2019 review by Filmink magazine described "Santa Fe Trail" as the least regarded film in the 'Dodge City' trilogy, citing its shortcomings in addressing African-American history and historical themes. This critique reflects broader concerns about Hollywood's treatment of sensitive historical subjects during the film's era.

Premiere:
The film premiered in Santa Fe during a three-day festival that featured numerous celebrities, including Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Rudy Vallée, and Wayne Morris. Rita Hayworth performed a "welcome dance" at the event. The premiere was attended by 250 guests, with two special trains organized—one from Hollywood and one from the East—at a total cost of $50,000, split between Warner Bros. and the Santa Fe Railroad. Unfortunately, Olivia de Havilland fell ill with appendicitis during the trip and had to be flown home.

Vitasound:
For its initial release, Warner Bros. premiered the film in certain major cities using an experimental sound system called Vitasound. This system aimed to enhance the dynamic sound range for battlefield action and dramatic music, although it was not stereophonic.

Box Office:
According to Warner Bros. records, the film generated a profit of $1.48 million. Domestically, it earned $1,748,000, with an additional $785,000 from foreign markets.