Dodge City (1939)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Phil H

  
  Errol goes out West for a gunslinging Tombstone style clean up of new city, Dodge City. I'm not totally keen on westerns to be honest, apart from afew Eastwood pictures they just aren't my thing. Like all westerns of this era they do look kinda quaint and too charming, not… More
  Errol goes out West for a gunslinging Tombstone style clean up of new city, Dodge City. I'm not totally keen on westerns to be honest, apart from afew Eastwood pictures they just aren't my thing. Like all westerns of this era they do look kinda quaint and too charming, not very realistic compared to more later westerns (of course), the acting is oh so sweet haha its all very nice and darling with a reasonable amount happening to keep you interested. Olivia de Havilland (film 5 of 9 together with Flynn) and Alan Hale both join Errol again in fine form directed AGAIN by Curtiz...the Warner super star director of all star cast pictures. There is actually plenty of action and fighting with a reasonable amount of smooching here, the technicolour is evident and lovely yet not as good as other films and locations are rural and real, not much set work by the looks of it. Not the best Flynn film for me but I can see why its a classic.

• xGary X

  
  Errol Flynn proves he's just as adept with a six gun as a sword in this classic western that reunited him with Olivia De Havilland and Michael Curtiz. Rousing gun fights, bar room brawls and knockabout comedy shot in glorious technicolor.

• jay n

  
  rollicking western with the Warners stock company in good form and Errol Flynn quite good, why he has an australian accent in the middle of Kansas is something that requires a suspension of belief though.

• Jonny C

  
  A fantastic western. Errol Flynn is magnificent, as his transition from swashbuckler to western seems effortless, and he proves he's just adept with a gun as he is with a sword. This is a must see for all western fans as it paved the way for the genre.

• monty h

  
  Another classic film from that golden year in cinema of 1939. This rousing western stars Errol Flynn as ex-soldier, now cattle driver Wade Hatton. Yes, I said Errol Flynn..he of the swashbuckling films like Robin Hood, Captain Blood, and The Sea Hawk. And before you can say it… More
  Another classic film from that golden year in cinema of 1939. This rousing western stars Errol Flynn as ex-soldier, now cattle driver Wade Hatton. Yes, I said Errol Flynn..he of the swashbuckling films like Robin Hood, Captain Blood, and The Sea Hawk. And before you can say it won't work, Flynn is awesome from the get go. He is perfectly at home in a western with a six gun as he would be in Sherwood Forest flinging arrows. The story has him delivering some cattle to the wild and dangerous town of Dodge City. Along the way he also guides a wagon train through the treacherous countryside. That's where he meets Abbie Irving (played by the lovely De Havilland) and her troublesome brother. Well when her drunk brother causes a stampede and shoots at Wade, Wade shoots back and injures the kid. After that unfortunate incident Abbie has no use for wade. Finally when the wagon train arrives in Dodge City, Wade encounters the local bad guy..Jeff Surrett (played to the evil hilt by Bruce Cabot) who has a habit of killing men who he buys cattle off of and keeping the money for himself. Well Wade reluctantly agrees to become town sheriff after he sees a tragic accident and becomes Surrett's worst enemy. Eventually Abbie comes around and starts liking him too. Dodge City is a super western, staged with impressive action scenes including a wild saloon bar fight that leaves the place in shambles. The color is extraordinary and the music score is heavenly. Errol Flynn is perfectly cast as Wade as he shows that he won't take any guff from anyone. Olivia is just amazing. Every time I hear her voice, I fall in love with her. She has the most wonderful accent you will ever hear. Also Ann Sheridan, the Oommph Girl is on hand as a saloon singer who gets to belt out a couple of energetic numbers. Plus the banter between Errol and Olivia only solidifies why they were one of the best on screen couples ever. Dodge City is one of the best westerns ever to come out of Old Hollywood and I highly recommend it. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wade Hatton: You know, out here the trail boss has sometimes even got to take the law into his own hands. Abbie Irving: Oh, yes, pioneering I believe you call it, don't you?