Santa Fe Trail (1940) is an American historical action‑drama directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Raymond Massey, Ronald Reagan, and Alan Hale.
Set in the turbulent years before the American Civil War, the film follows young Army officers J.E.B. Stuart and George Armstrong Custer, fictionalized as West Point classmates and friendly rivals. Posted to Kansas Territory, they confront the violent anti‑slavery raids led by abolitionist John Brown, whose militant crusade destabilizes the region.
Amid the conflict, both men vie for the affection of Kit Carson Holliday, adding a romantic subplot to the political and military drama. Though titled Santa Fe Trail, the story focuses on the struggle over slavery and the events leading to Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry.
Film Details
Year: 1940
Genre: Historical Drama / Western / War
Director: Michael Curtiz
Writer: Robert Buckner
Produced by: Hal B. Wallis (executive producer)
Starring: Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Raymond Massey, Ronald Reagan, Alan Hale
Cinematography: Sol Polito
Edited by: George Amy
Music: Max Steiner
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Dates:
December 13, 1940 (Santa Fe premiere)
December 20, 1940 (New York City)
Runtime: 110 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Budget: $1,115,000
Box Office: $2,533,000
Tags: #SantaFeTrail1940 #ErrolFlynn #OliviaDeHavilland #MichaelCurtiz #RonaldReagan #RaymondMassey #JohnBrown #HistoricalDrama #WarnerBros #ClassicCinema
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