Errol Flynn - Signature Collection Box Set (Dive Bomber, They Died With Their Boots On, The Seahawk, The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, Dodge City, Captain Blood) [DVD]

 

 

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This is a really good value for money set from Warner Brothers. It gives us six of Errol Flynn's best films (people will argue over the choices of film selected for inclusion, and which of Flynn's are his best, but I think the selections made are pretty good) in one easy package.

The six films are Captain Blood, Dodge City, The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, The Sea Hawk, They Died With Their Boots On and finally Dive Bomber. Between them they run the gamut of the genres Flynn worked in - swashbuckler, romantic, westerns and war films, and shows off his range of talents. He buckles on his swash and romances his way across our screens for over eleven hours of action packed derring-do and adventures. It's entertainment of the highest order!

Each film is presented in a nicely restored print with a decent soundtrack. I do not know too much about the other films, but Captain Blood is definitely the longer 114 minute version rather than the shorter film more usually seen. Each disc is loaded with extras, including newsreels, cartoon shorts and makings of for each film. As with other WB releases of films from the period it is unclear what some of the extras actually have to do with the film. But if you're like me and get DVDs for the films and are not too worried about the fripperies then this is the ideal way to get hold of these films. Each film by itself would cost as much as this entire set, and the quality of the release in terms of remastering and picture quality is really top notch.

There are two normal DVD cases, each with three discs. The whole lot is collected into a sturdy card slip case, and looks quite elegant on the shelf.

It might be a bargain basement price, but it is a top quality release. Buy it, and allow yourself to be transported to a world where men were men, who had thrilling adventuresand always got the girl whilst dispatching the villains to satisfyingly sticky ends.

The three movies that make up this set are, for the most part, conventional westerns with plenty of action and a fair amount of entertainment value. They depend heavily on Errol Flynn's charm and star quality. The exception is Rocky Mountain. Alone among the others it packs a real punch and offers us Flynn as a man who doesn't charm, woo or perform stunts. It's a very good movie and a quality performance.

Rocky Mountain (1950):
Lafe Barstow, a captain in the Confederate army, and his seven men are holed up in the Nevada Mountains vainly waiting for promised assistance from a California renegade. Their assignment was to raise an army of Confederate sympathizers in California. It's 1865. They've rescued a stage driver and a woman passenger, the fiancée of a Union officer, from an Indian attack. They've tricked and captured a Union patrol. And they know Shoshone warriors are gathering in force to wipe everyone out.

This was the last western Flynn made. Warner Brothers put as few resources into the making of this movie as they could get away with. There are a handful of actors, with only Flynn being a name, and perhaps 50 extras on horseback. It was shot at one location outside Gallup and on what looks like just one studio set. It's in black and white. The screenplay is workmanlike, but in the best sense of the word. About a third of the movie is shot at dusk, night or early morning when a lot of set deficiencies can be covered up. In fact, Rocky Mountain is probably the smallest scale movie Flynn ever made.

It's poetic justice that Rocky Mountain turns out to be a very good film, especially because of its small scale. The movie didn't have the budget to screw things up by trying to turn the story into something bigger than it was. Flynn plays Barstow as a man with burdens. There's none of the Flynn charm and easy smiles. As Barstow's options dwindle he faces reality with none of the Hollywood posturing that takes place in bigger budget movies. To accept the situation and take action is something he and his men simply shrug their shoulders about and then get on with.

San Antonio (1945):
San Antonio is better than a routine western, but still not much more than a pleasant way to spend an hour and a half. It's the story of Clay Hardin and his determination to bring to justice to the king pin of a ruthless rustling operation. For me, the real pleasure was watching two notable actors, Victor Francen and Paul Kelly, as the villains. Francen was a Belgian who came to America in 1939. He played men who were suave to their fingertips, worldly in outlook and perfectly at home at the roulette table. He always had a gracious smile while he said the most threatening things and did the most deadly deeds. Paul Kelly, on the other hand, was made of rougher material. If you want a sample of outstanding acting so bizarre it's memorable, just watch the scenes Kelly shares with Gloria Grahame in Crossfire.

Montana (1950):
Morgan Lane (Errol Flynn) shows up on horseback in the Montana Territory with a lot of sheep following him. All he wants is a chance to prove that cattle and sheep can share the same land profitably. While he's trying to do this, sometimes with humor, sometimes with his fists, men will die, a great stampede will take place and a passionate cattle queen will find out that at least one sheepman smells better than sheep. At one point Flynn strums a guitar and sings...

"I met a certain someone who makes me feel that way.
And ever since I met her I'm a singin' in the saddle
`Skidoodle diddle daddle'
all the day."

He smiles while singing this, but he must have needed a drink afterwards.

Warner Brothers have short changed the UK once again. The Region 1 version of this collection features four movies, but the UK is missing "Virginia City". Get real Warners, why should we always miss out.
All four movies are worth having, so, if you want all four, go for the Region 1 collection.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Errol Flynn Collection
Ordered this set befiore Christmas for my husband. He has thoroughly enjoyed 3 of the dvd's so far. He said it took him back to his youth! Read more

Published 1 month ago by Geum D

5.0 out of 5 stars ERROL FLYNN COLLECTION
I can only say this set is brilliant, for anyone interested in classic movies this set is a must.Its a pity Robin Hood isn't included , but thats life , but a must for the... Read more

Published 2 months ago by DJBETTANEY

5.0 out of 5 stars skippy
A really good collection with a variety of Errol Flynn films. They were mostly made when he was at his height of popularity. Read more

Published 3 months ago by skippy

5.0 out of 5 stars GReat Gift
My dad is in his 80's and loves films. I bought this for him as he wanted to see "they died with their boots on" again. Read more

Published 5 months ago by Mrs. Pam Pearson

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Set
Good quality DVD considering the age of the original movies. Region 2 Only. Can be viewed in Italian or English with English or French subtitles. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Divecar

4.0 out of 5 stars Great collection
Bought for a gift for one of my brothers.Reminiscent of our childhood days watching these together.Highly recommended.

Published 7 months ago by S. A. FRANKLIN

5.0 out of 5 stars top value
six films for just over a tenner, what can you say, we bought this mainly for they died with their boots on, so the other films to us are a bonus but they are all quite watchable... Read more

Published 11 months ago by bosspenny

5.0 out of 5 stars good old classic
Fond memories of these old classics, and great to be able to watch with my mum and grandad as they were good old fashioned clean fun films!! Read more

Published 12 months ago by marj

5.0 out of 5 stars takes me back
Takes me bk to 3pm on a saturday afternoon years ago alway errol flynn on does nt disapoint just missing his best film robin hood

Published 14 months ago by Mr. Mark Croasdale

4.0 out of 5 stars Rocky Mountain is quite good
As other people have noted, Rocky Mountain is quite good. I'd give it four stars. It's the only justification for buying this set (although apparently the US version of this... Read more

Published 17 months ago by brian

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