The Howards of Virginia (1940) ( The Tree of Liberty )

The Howards of Virginia (1940) (DVD) (*)

~~$22.99~~ $16.97

Alternate Title: The Tree of Liberty
Screened, competed or awarded at:
Oscar Academy Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Spanish ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Spain ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
110 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access
Black & White

Movie filmed in 1940 and produced in:
United States ( USA, Canada )

Directed By:
Frank Lloyd

Written By:
Sidney Buchman
Elizabeth Page

Actors:
Cary Grant ..... Matt Howard
Martha Scott ..... Jane Peyton Howard
Cedric Hardwicke ..... Fleetwood Peyton (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke)
Alan Marshal ..... Roger Peyton
Richard Carlson ..... Thomas Jefferson
Paul Kelly ..... Captain Jabez Allen
Irving Bacon ..... Tom Norton
Elisabeth Risdon ..... Aunt Clarissa
Anne Revere ..... Mrs. Betsy Norton
Tom Drake ..... James Howard at 16 (as Richard Alden)
Phil Taylor ..... Peyton Howard at 18
Rita Quigley ..... Mary Howard at Age 17
Libby Taylor ..... Dicey
Richard Gaines ..... Patrick Henry
George Houston ..... George Washington

Synopsis:

Hollywood films about the Revolutionary War almost invariably lost money at the box office, and The Howards of Virginia was no exception, despite the presence of Cary Grant in the lead. Most of the story takes place in the colonial capital city of Williamsburg, Virginia, where Matt Howard (Cary Grant) dedicates himself to the causes of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Remaining faithfully at Matt's side through his early years as a frontiersman and on into his life among the 'landed gentry' is his wife Jane Peyton Howard (Martha Scott), the sister of unregenerate royalist Fleetwood Peyton (Cedric Hardwicke). Most of the high points of the Revolution are herein recreated, including the Stamp Act riots, the Boston Tea Party, and Patrick Henry's 'Give me Liberty' speech. Curiously, however, director Frank Lloyd stages these scenes in a flat, near-throwaway fashion; even the inflammatory Henry (Richard Gaines) is hampered by unimaginative camera angles. Other historical personages parading through the film include Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, played respectively by Richard Carlson and George Houston. Though it's rather rough sledding in its feature-length version, The Howards of Virginia plays quite well in the half-hour abridgement prepared by Columbia for schoolroom showings.

Against the backdrop of the events leading up to the American Revolution, Matt Howard (Cary Grant) builds a fine plantation, Albemarle, in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia out of love for his wife (Martha Scott), only to see it crumble under the strain of events and differences in their upbringing.

Beautiful young Virginian Jane steps down from her proper aristocratic upbrining when she marries down-to-earth surveyor Matt Howard. Matt joins the Colonial forces in their fight for freedom against England. Matt will meet Jane's father in the battlefield.

This product was added to our catalog on Wednesday 25 February, 2015.