The Howards of Virginia (1940)

With its straightforward retelling of events leading up to the American Revolution, The Howards of Virginia is a standard slice of patriotism from Hollywood's golden age. Adapted by noted screenwriter Sidney Buchman from Elizabeth Page's 1939 bestseller Tree of Liberty, this colonial melodrama is notorious for saddling Cary Grant with one of his most ill-fitting roles, and it's true that Grant's 20th-century style clashes with his portrayal of buckskinned rebel Matt Howard. Still, his performance is far from being "really bad" (as critic Pauline Kael harshly opined), and Martha Scott brings tenacious dignity to her role as Howard's pragmatic wife, who defies her aristocratic family to join her new husband in the wilderness of Ohio. The stirrings of rebellion clash with some thankfully outmoded Hollywood clichés (such as Howard's initial rejection of his mildly disabled son), but overall this remains a respectable and altogether engaging historical adventure, encompassing the early career of Thomas Jefferson and noteworthy for its meticulous attention to period detail. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

More soap opera than Revolutionary saga

A notorious box-office disaster in its day, The Howards of Virginia (also known as The Tree of Liberty) is an engaging but curious colonial drama set during the American War of Independence with Cary Grant in Gunga Din rambunctious tearaway mode, which is a bit embarrassing when he overdoes it, which is often. The most surprising thing about Frank Lloyd's picture is that despite the amount of money and resources being thrown into it, the director clearly has no interest whatsoever in spectacle - hundreds of extras are featured in battles, parades or crowd scenes that are dismissed in a single establishing shot as if he wanted to hide their presence and get back indoors to his stars. Still, it's an entertaining enough saga. No extras on the DVD at all. November 13, 2007

ONLY FOR DIEHARD CARY GRANT FANS!

I agree with those reviews posted previously that Cary Grant was seriously miscast in this film. He does indeed stumble and plod through the proceedings trying too hard. If you like Cary Grant and are a fan of his in ANYTHING, then you will probably like this film.

There are some good things in it: The cast of supporting actors is excellent most notably Martha Scott as Jane Peyton (who becomes Cary Grant's wife in the film)...she is outstanding as the aristocratic wife trying to adjust to new surroundings; Sir Cedric Hardwicke is excellent as well bringing his classic style of characterization to the film; Richard Carlson is likeable and convincing as Thomas Jefferson; the young men who play Grant's sons Peyton and James are also to be commended. Sadly, the one flaw in the cast is Grant himself who is entirely unsuited to this role.

The cinematography is fine but the screenplay could have used a little more tightening up; the direction plods at an uneven pace.

The DVD is fine quality but aside from subtitles and chapter selection, no other extras are included.

There are better historical dramas out there and most certainly better Cary Grant films. January 23, 2005

I was dubious...but I truly liked it!

Upon reading some reviews I was afraid I wasn't going to like this Epic Historical("Americana") Drama I got as a birthday gift, but gladly I enjoyed the almost two hours of film.

Cary Grant is my favorite screen actor, top of the tops, and yes, this is not his usual role or movie, but he did a great work impersonating heroic Matt Howard (from Albemarle Virginia), who rises from a being a poor lad to become a hero & notorious citizen. I think his performance is very good, it's believable, although Cary Grant fans, who like him mostly in comedy, probably won't like this one and probably will skip it.

Martha Scott, an actress not a "star", gives a very fine, strong, performance as his upper-crust wife (Jane Peyton), and kudos to Cedric Hardwicke for his complex portrayal of Grant's nemesis and brother-in-law (Fleetwood Peyton). Richard Carlson is very sympathetic as Thomas Jefferson.

Fine sets, good pacing and directon by Frank Lloyd (who also directed "Mutiny on the Bounty", among many others), and the DVD transfer is pretty good.

Great entertainment!

August 24, 2004

Anyone who loves the history of Virginia . . ..

Being from Virginia, I am of course partial to movies about it. Having spent a lot of time touring historical homes in and around the state, this movie in particular stands out. Part of the movie was filmed at Carters Grove Plantation, one of the James River Plantations. Cary Grant was great friends with the McCrea's who owned the plantation in the 1930's-40's. He loved the house so much that he recommended to the film company that they use the house for the home of inlaws in the movie. (The plantation was also used for the George Washington miniseries with Barry Bostwick/as the Fairfax home)
I recommend this movie to anyone that loves Cary Grant. Mr Grant's portrayal is very moving, Richard Carlson as Thomas Jefferson isn't so bad either ! July 14, 2004

A very big Cary Fan Hates This One!

As much as it pains me to say, this is a terrible movie for Cary-and a terrible movie in general. All of Grant's strengths are hidden while he is asked to play a rugged, outdoorsman with no polish, class or sophistication. It sounds like a bad joke, doesn't it? Well it is. It hurts to watch this great actor stumble through this movie. Please keep in mind that I am a huge(maybe even obsessive) Grant fan, owning over 30 of his DVDs. This is, however, by far my least favorite. Sorry. Save your money and invest in the new Criterion edition of "Notorious." May 15, 2004

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