Santa Fe Trail (1940): Hollywood History on the Eve of War
Released in 1940, Santa Fe Trail stands at an intriguing crossroads—both in American history and in Hollywood’s own evolution. Directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Raymond Massey, and a young Ronald Reagan, the film blends Western adventure with Civil War prelude, all filtered through the lens of studio-era storytelling. A Star-Driven Historical Drama At first glance, Santa Fe Trail looks like a traditional Western. Errol Flynn plays J.E.B. Stuart, a dashing cavalry officer whose charisma and confidence feel familiar to audiences who knew Flynn from Captain Blood and The Adventures of Robin Hood . Alongside him is Ronald Reagan as George Armstrong Custer—idealistic, upright, and notably restrained compared to later, more flamboyant portrayals of the famous general. Olivia de Havilland, reuniting with Flynn for the eighth time, brings warmth and intelligence to the role of Kit Carson Halliday, serving as both romantic interest and moral anchor. Th...