In less than an hour and a half, we get: young love, courtship, robbery, shooting, hanging, alcoholism, banking, multi-generation family drama, railroads, tragic accident, childbirth, suicide, the dawn of cinema, the stock market crash -- all supporting a theme of westward expansion and hanging tough when the economy turns rotten, which must have been a comfort to a Depression-weary audience. I'm a sucker for these early-talkie near-epics with loudly American themes (other worthy, less-known titles: "Silver Dollar," "The World Changes"), and this one is handsomely produced, well acted, and blessed with vibrant characterizations, most notably Edna May Oliver, indispensable as always, in one of her best roles. Also, Ann Harding, always so womanly and sympathetic without becoming cloying, like Irene Dunne with more backbone. And Richard Dix, a bit thick around the middle, but ably personifying the era's idea of the solid American male. With William Wellman's virile direction and some eye-filling montages by Slavko Vorkapich, it's handsomely shot, and supported by an obvious but stirring Max Steiner score. The continuity doesn't quite add up -- the horseless carriage appears on a Nebraska street circa 1894, a bit early, and Edna May's character would have to be about 120 by the fadeout. But it's rousing entertainment.
10 Reviews
They Never Gave Up
craig_smith920 October 2002
Roger and Carolyn Standish head west to give themselves a chance at a future after her father dies. On the way they are robbed and Roger is shot. While recovering from the gunshot wound the town they settle in is robbed. Roger leads the town after the robbers. Then they start a bank. Over the next 50 years they face a series of successes, failures, and successes. In spite of everything that happens to them they never give up.
I think the idea behind this movie is that over time, we will face many ups and downs and that we must keep our faith that there is a future and that it will be better than the past. This film contains many cliches about the building of America. There are several scenes of a hugely growing economy followed by a crash then pessimism then more growth. This was obviously aimed at depression-era audiences to give them hope in the future. And, I think, it was also intended to give a brief overview of what it took to build our country.
No question that it tends to be somewhat melodramatic at times. But it is also uplifting and tells an interesting story and keeps a good pace throughout. Well worth seeing.
I think the idea behind this movie is that over time, we will face many ups and downs and that we must keep our faith that there is a future and that it will be better than the past. This film contains many cliches about the building of America. There are several scenes of a hugely growing economy followed by a crash then pessimism then more growth. This was obviously aimed at depression-era audiences to give them hope in the future. And, I think, it was also intended to give a brief overview of what it took to build our country.
No question that it tends to be somewhat melodramatic at times. But it is also uplifting and tells an interesting story and keeps a good pace throughout. Well worth seeing.
As time goes by, much sadness goes with it, and also hopefully some humor.
mark.waltz11 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
We see the timeline of a nation through three stock market crashes, 1873 to 1929, the building up of the west and the saga of two families that through their genuine love for each other becomes one. Ann Harding is the daughter of a banker who loses all his money in the first crash, and left with nothing, she marries banking hopeful Richard Dix and heads out west to build their own empire. Befriending hotel owner Edna May Oliver and her alcoholic doctor husband Guy Kibbee, they share joys and tragedies, more of the first, especially when an alcoholic accident caused by Kibbee has shocking results. Dix takes on a second role, playing his character's grandson, facing a changing world when the stock market crash of 1929 occurs.
"He'll be a new man in a week, unless he dies." That's how we meet Guy Kibbee whose neglectful actions take two lives. But the results of that do not lead to hate, just the creation of a strength to go on, and the widowed Oliver stands by the family with love and devotion, looking on at Dix and Harding's children as if they were her own and their grandchildren the same. Oliver, cranky and domineering on the outside, is one of those women whose heart is worn on her sleeve, looking on in pride when Dix opens his first bank, being his first depositor and standing by as his and Harding's best friend for many years.
Had there been supporting acting nominations in 1932, I could definitely see Kibbee and Oliver being nominated for this, with all of her a shoe in as a winner. Dix is fine in both roles, but it is Harding who is the surprising excellent performance, getting to show more spark and humor than she did in most of her overly lady like roles. Even with tragedy, she's more than just a woman with dignity. She's a true survivor, and in one scene, has a facial expression that shows a comic talent in her that was usually underplayed.
I thought this was more of a follow-up to "Cimarron", the Academy Award-Winning best picture of 1931, but it's closer in spirit to "Cavalcade" which won best picture in 1933. Only a little bit of it could be considered western, that part dealing with the creation of the town that Dix and Harding settle in, and a scene involving the lynching of robbers who shot Dix and later robbed Oliver and the rest of the town is pretty haunting. Being episodic, it isn't a great film, but it's better than I thought it would be. Perhaps coming out so soon after the depression and dealing with three market crashes made it a bit difficult for audiences to want to see so soon afterwards. But, under the direction of William Wellman, what results is a fine example of storytelling at its best and a definite work of art.
"He'll be a new man in a week, unless he dies." That's how we meet Guy Kibbee whose neglectful actions take two lives. But the results of that do not lead to hate, just the creation of a strength to go on, and the widowed Oliver stands by the family with love and devotion, looking on at Dix and Harding's children as if they were her own and their grandchildren the same. Oliver, cranky and domineering on the outside, is one of those women whose heart is worn on her sleeve, looking on in pride when Dix opens his first bank, being his first depositor and standing by as his and Harding's best friend for many years.
Had there been supporting acting nominations in 1932, I could definitely see Kibbee and Oliver being nominated for this, with all of her a shoe in as a winner. Dix is fine in both roles, but it is Harding who is the surprising excellent performance, getting to show more spark and humor than she did in most of her overly lady like roles. Even with tragedy, she's more than just a woman with dignity. She's a true survivor, and in one scene, has a facial expression that shows a comic talent in her that was usually underplayed.
I thought this was more of a follow-up to "Cimarron", the Academy Award-Winning best picture of 1931, but it's closer in spirit to "Cavalcade" which won best picture in 1933. Only a little bit of it could be considered western, that part dealing with the creation of the town that Dix and Harding settle in, and a scene involving the lynching of robbers who shot Dix and later robbed Oliver and the rest of the town is pretty haunting. Being episodic, it isn't a great film, but it's better than I thought it would be. Perhaps coming out so soon after the depression and dealing with three market crashes made it a bit difficult for audiences to want to see so soon afterwards. But, under the direction of William Wellman, what results is a fine example of storytelling at its best and a definite work of art.
Far better than I first expected
planktonrules28 December 2007
Warning: Spoilers
When I first started watching this film I thought it was going to just be a rehash of CIMARRON. After all, just two years earlier Richard Dix starred in this Oscar winning film and now that he was back in an epic Western again, I just assumed it was going to be pretty much the same thing. However, despite some similarities, THE CONQUERORS turned out to be a good film in its own right. Instead of being like CIMARRON, the film turned out to be a lot more like CAVALCADE--an Oscar winning film that was to appear a year after THE CONQUERORS. Like CAVALCADE, the film follows two families through roughly the same time period--showing their many ups and downs--deaths, war as well as great wealth. The biggest difference being that CAVALCADE was set in Britain and THE CONQUERORS was set in the American West.
The film begins with Richard Dix and Ann Harding wanting to get married. However, Harding's father refuses to allow the marriage to Dix--after all, Harding's family is very wealthy and Dix has few prospects. However, when the stock market crashes and Harding's family is ruined, they are able to marry and travel westward. On the way, in Nebraska, Dix is nearly killed by bandits and they end up making their home in a town on the prairie.
The rest of the film consists of the families many ups and downs. Despite many hard knocks, the family's spirit is never crushed and they persevere. In this sense, they are archetypes of the new American spirit and are meant to show the audience that despite many problems, there is light at the end of the tunnel--an obvious metaphor for the Depression. In other words, things may now look bleak in 1932, but like this family we will make it.
The bleakest periods were surprisingly moving and very, very vivid. In fact, because the film was made during the so-called "Pre-Code" era, the intensity of some of the violence was pretty surprising. For example, there is an impromptu mass hanging that is among the most realistic I have ever seen, a train that plows through two people and a suicide! Yet, despite all this, the family manages to carry on and thrive.
The acting was generally very good and the script kept my interest throughout--providing a nice history lesson and homage to the pioneering spirit. Richard Dix was as solid as ever and both Edna May Oliver and Guy Kibbee provide lots of color and laughs in supporting roles. The only negatives were Ann Harding's rather listless performance and the movie using a dumb cliché by having Dix play both the patriarch of the family AND his grandson! This was just silly and only in movies would you see this sort of cliché--much like Patty Duke playing identical cousins! Overall, though, there is very little not to like about this film.
The film begins with Richard Dix and Ann Harding wanting to get married. However, Harding's father refuses to allow the marriage to Dix--after all, Harding's family is very wealthy and Dix has few prospects. However, when the stock market crashes and Harding's family is ruined, they are able to marry and travel westward. On the way, in Nebraska, Dix is nearly killed by bandits and they end up making their home in a town on the prairie.
The rest of the film consists of the families many ups and downs. Despite many hard knocks, the family's spirit is never crushed and they persevere. In this sense, they are archetypes of the new American spirit and are meant to show the audience that despite many problems, there is light at the end of the tunnel--an obvious metaphor for the Depression. In other words, things may now look bleak in 1932, but like this family we will make it.
The bleakest periods were surprisingly moving and very, very vivid. In fact, because the film was made during the so-called "Pre-Code" era, the intensity of some of the violence was pretty surprising. For example, there is an impromptu mass hanging that is among the most realistic I have ever seen, a train that plows through two people and a suicide! Yet, despite all this, the family manages to carry on and thrive.
The acting was generally very good and the script kept my interest throughout--providing a nice history lesson and homage to the pioneering spirit. Richard Dix was as solid as ever and both Edna May Oliver and Guy Kibbee provide lots of color and laughs in supporting roles. The only negatives were Ann Harding's rather listless performance and the movie using a dumb cliché by having Dix play both the patriarch of the family AND his grandson! This was just silly and only in movies would you see this sort of cliché--much like Patty Duke playing identical cousins! Overall, though, there is very little not to like about this film.
Precode western presents interesting ideas
jarrodmcdonald-19 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Richard Dix, hot off his success in RKO's Oscar winner CIMARRON (1931), is cast as the lead in this precode western, which was the studio's follow-up to the earlier film. His costar is Ann Harding who seems to be a substitute for Irene Dunne. Miss Dunne had been in CIMARRON, and the character that Harding plays is shown singing at the piano. Miss Harding is not very musically inclined like Dunne.
The director has Harding speak in high pitched coquettish tones during the opening sequence, which seems odd since Harding's voice naturally has a lower register. Later in the film when Harding plays the character in advanced age, she is required to affect her voice again.
The drama takes a while to get going. Harding's wealthy bank president father (Walter Walker) disapproves of his clerk Dix romancing his daughter. He fires Dix but then loses his standing when the bank goes under. In a state of disgrace, the old man dies and all the family assets must be auctioned off to pay outstanding debts. Harding is now penniless but free to marry Dix. They soon leave New York and head west to start a new life together.
Things take an interesting turn when they get to Nebraska. As they sail down a river barge, they're robbed by some outlaws, and Dix is shot. This prevents the newlyweds from venturing further west, since Dix is in need of medical attention. In a nearby town, a hotel owner (Edna May Oliver) knows of a man who can treat Dix's injuries-- a drunken doctor, who happens to be her husband (Guy Kibbee).
The scenes where Kibbee performs surgery while intoxicated are "fun" to watch. Kibbee and Oliver are wonderful, not just colorful support, more like second leads. The two couples become close friends. When Dix recovers and decides to open a bank in the small midwestern town, his wife and new friends help him succeed.
The next part of the story continues the saga a short time later. The town and bank have been prospering. Dix and Harding have twins, a boy and a girl. But on the day that a train comes into the new station, their son is killed and so is Kibbee while trying to save the boy. The accident is impressively staged, and this is one of the most powerful moments in the film. Pictures like this are made to be epic in scope, with equal measures of triumph and tragedy.
Years pass, and the daughter (Julie Haydon) is now grown and married to one of her father's employees (Donald Cook). Mirroring the opening sequence, there's another economic downturn, and the bank's future is in jeopardy. The daughter's husband commits suicide, leaving her a widow like Oliver.
THE CONQUERORS then skips ahead to WWI, followed by the 1920s and the stock market crash of 1929. Harding's character dies one day while watching a parade. A portrait of her hangs in her husband's office, indicating her continued presence in his thoughts and actions.
In the final section of the film, Dix is also cast as his older character's grandson, basically playing a dual role.
There are a lot of good and interesting ideas presented on screen. THE CONQUERORS is a David Selznick production covering the years 1873 to 1931, and it is rich in period detail. I found this to be a very fine movie worth watching. The dialogue is a bit simplistic in spots, but the performances are grand, and they will captivate any viewer.
The director has Harding speak in high pitched coquettish tones during the opening sequence, which seems odd since Harding's voice naturally has a lower register. Later in the film when Harding plays the character in advanced age, she is required to affect her voice again.
The drama takes a while to get going. Harding's wealthy bank president father (Walter Walker) disapproves of his clerk Dix romancing his daughter. He fires Dix but then loses his standing when the bank goes under. In a state of disgrace, the old man dies and all the family assets must be auctioned off to pay outstanding debts. Harding is now penniless but free to marry Dix. They soon leave New York and head west to start a new life together.
Things take an interesting turn when they get to Nebraska. As they sail down a river barge, they're robbed by some outlaws, and Dix is shot. This prevents the newlyweds from venturing further west, since Dix is in need of medical attention. In a nearby town, a hotel owner (Edna May Oliver) knows of a man who can treat Dix's injuries-- a drunken doctor, who happens to be her husband (Guy Kibbee).
The scenes where Kibbee performs surgery while intoxicated are "fun" to watch. Kibbee and Oliver are wonderful, not just colorful support, more like second leads. The two couples become close friends. When Dix recovers and decides to open a bank in the small midwestern town, his wife and new friends help him succeed.
The next part of the story continues the saga a short time later. The town and bank have been prospering. Dix and Harding have twins, a boy and a girl. But on the day that a train comes into the new station, their son is killed and so is Kibbee while trying to save the boy. The accident is impressively staged, and this is one of the most powerful moments in the film. Pictures like this are made to be epic in scope, with equal measures of triumph and tragedy.
Years pass, and the daughter (Julie Haydon) is now grown and married to one of her father's employees (Donald Cook). Mirroring the opening sequence, there's another economic downturn, and the bank's future is in jeopardy. The daughter's husband commits suicide, leaving her a widow like Oliver.
THE CONQUERORS then skips ahead to WWI, followed by the 1920s and the stock market crash of 1929. Harding's character dies one day while watching a parade. A portrait of her hangs in her husband's office, indicating her continued presence in his thoughts and actions.
In the final section of the film, Dix is also cast as his older character's grandson, basically playing a dual role.
There are a lot of good and interesting ideas presented on screen. THE CONQUERORS is a David Selznick production covering the years 1873 to 1931, and it is rich in period detail. I found this to be a very fine movie worth watching. The dialogue is a bit simplistic in spots, but the performances are grand, and they will captivate any viewer.
Banks and Bankers Will Selflessly Save the Day
view_and_review14 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
"The Conquerors" is a multi-generational movie. I do not like multi-generational movies. They tend to be dull, and this one is dull too.
"The Conquerors" is one of a couple of patriotic, pro-business, and pro-bank movies released in 1932. The other was "American Madness." I think FDR directed these himself to help get the economy moving again.
The principal characters in this movie were Roger Standish (Richard Dix) and Caroline Ogden Standish (Ann Harding). Roger was a bank teller when he married Caroline. The two went west to Nebraska during an economic downturn and started Standish Bank. From there we got to see the two of them grow old, become grandparents, and build Standish Bank into a behemoth.
They survived a few economic downturns with the Great Depression being the last one. What was distasteful about this movie, like "American Madness", is the idea they promote that the bank (essentially all banks) was a necessary tool for the economy and that it cared as much, if not more, about the welfare of the common man than anyone. When a regular working man demanded his money back from the Standish Bank, Roger Standish told him that his money was out there working; building buildings and railroads, keeping men employed. It was such a load of BS I could've vomited right then.
It's like Taco Bell imploring its customers to donate to "insert-charity-here" when Taco Bell is the multi-billion dollar company and its customers are regular Joes just trying to get an affordable meal.
Imagine going to Chase Bank of American Fargo and asking for all of your money because you were worried about its security and they told you that your money was out there helping the country run. I seriously doubt you would feel guilty for asking for your money and leave.
Who dreams up these fanciful tales?
The guy in the movie asking wanted his $10 and Standish didn't have it. Only a fool would believe that his simple $10 was essential for the country. And only a fool would be worried about the "country" when he has a family to take care of.
Then we were to believe that Standish was some kind of hero (just like the protagonist in "American Madness") because he was going to liquidate everything he owned to pay back the bank depositors.
Naturally, Standish bounced back and became richer every time. In the end his own grandson (also played by Richard Dix) had to pull a similar move as his grandfather because he, too, was selfless and patriotic. As the Great Depression was going on he asked his gramps for his $5 million trust so that he could cover the Standish Bank customers. His request came with a most patronizing speech:
"Why, the whole world will pull out of this depression. And through it will come a greater era of prosperity and happiness," Roger Lennox (Richard Dix) said while peering at the camera.
I'm sure the writer was beaming with pride at this speech which couldn't have been more tone deaf. The last thing people want to hear is a rich boy in his ivory tower preaching about how the country is going to bounce back. I said this about "American Madness": hey Hollywood, stay out of the business of making banks and rich bankers sympathetic characters in your movies. No one wants to see that.
Free on YouTube.
"The Conquerors" is one of a couple of patriotic, pro-business, and pro-bank movies released in 1932. The other was "American Madness." I think FDR directed these himself to help get the economy moving again.
The principal characters in this movie were Roger Standish (Richard Dix) and Caroline Ogden Standish (Ann Harding). Roger was a bank teller when he married Caroline. The two went west to Nebraska during an economic downturn and started Standish Bank. From there we got to see the two of them grow old, become grandparents, and build Standish Bank into a behemoth.
They survived a few economic downturns with the Great Depression being the last one. What was distasteful about this movie, like "American Madness", is the idea they promote that the bank (essentially all banks) was a necessary tool for the economy and that it cared as much, if not more, about the welfare of the common man than anyone. When a regular working man demanded his money back from the Standish Bank, Roger Standish told him that his money was out there working; building buildings and railroads, keeping men employed. It was such a load of BS I could've vomited right then.
It's like Taco Bell imploring its customers to donate to "insert-charity-here" when Taco Bell is the multi-billion dollar company and its customers are regular Joes just trying to get an affordable meal.
Imagine going to Chase Bank of American Fargo and asking for all of your money because you were worried about its security and they told you that your money was out there helping the country run. I seriously doubt you would feel guilty for asking for your money and leave.
Who dreams up these fanciful tales?
The guy in the movie asking wanted his $10 and Standish didn't have it. Only a fool would believe that his simple $10 was essential for the country. And only a fool would be worried about the "country" when he has a family to take care of.
Then we were to believe that Standish was some kind of hero (just like the protagonist in "American Madness") because he was going to liquidate everything he owned to pay back the bank depositors.
Naturally, Standish bounced back and became richer every time. In the end his own grandson (also played by Richard Dix) had to pull a similar move as his grandfather because he, too, was selfless and patriotic. As the Great Depression was going on he asked his gramps for his $5 million trust so that he could cover the Standish Bank customers. His request came with a most patronizing speech:
"Why, the whole world will pull out of this depression. And through it will come a greater era of prosperity and happiness," Roger Lennox (Richard Dix) said while peering at the camera.
I'm sure the writer was beaming with pride at this speech which couldn't have been more tone deaf. The last thing people want to hear is a rich boy in his ivory tower preaching about how the country is going to bounce back. I said this about "American Madness": hey Hollywood, stay out of the business of making banks and rich bankers sympathetic characters in your movies. No one wants to see that.
Free on YouTube.
Inspiring
drjgardner22 August 2017
When you consider that the film was made in 1932 it is certainly impressive, especially with the intermittent montages to show the passage of time.
I'm a big fan of Ann Harding and this is one of her best films ("It Happened on 5th Ave" and "Magnificent Yankee" are my favorites). And you can never go wrong with Edna May Oliver and Guy Kibbee, although perhaps they lay it on a little strong in this one.
I've never been a fan of Richard Dix. I thought he was wooden. But in this film he ages 60 years and the elder Dix does a fine job. FWIW he has a few scenes with himself as a young man, and he appears to be mocking his own acting there as the young man. So I gained a new appreciation for him as an actor.
Another reason to watch the film is the director, Wild Bill Wellman, known for films like "Wings" (1927), "Public Enemy" (1931), "A Star is Born" (1937), "The Ox Bow Incident" (1943), "The Story of GI Joe" (1945), and "The High and the Mighty" (1954) among many others.
Seen in the context of 1932, with Herbert Hoover in the White House, the economy still slipping, banks continuing to fail, etc. this is one brave film.
I'm a big fan of Ann Harding and this is one of her best films ("It Happened on 5th Ave" and "Magnificent Yankee" are my favorites). And you can never go wrong with Edna May Oliver and Guy Kibbee, although perhaps they lay it on a little strong in this one.
I've never been a fan of Richard Dix. I thought he was wooden. But in this film he ages 60 years and the elder Dix does a fine job. FWIW he has a few scenes with himself as a young man, and he appears to be mocking his own acting there as the young man. So I gained a new appreciation for him as an actor.
Another reason to watch the film is the director, Wild Bill Wellman, known for films like "Wings" (1927), "Public Enemy" (1931), "A Star is Born" (1937), "The Ox Bow Incident" (1943), "The Story of GI Joe" (1945), and "The High and the Mighty" (1954) among many others.
Seen in the context of 1932, with Herbert Hoover in the White House, the economy still slipping, banks continuing to fail, etc. this is one brave film.
Long, Long Ago
Ron Oliver5 July 2003
A banker in old Nebraska strives to turn his town into a bastion of civilization & civility. Like THE CONQUERORS of the West before and after him he lets nothing stand in his way.
Here is a prime example of a very fine film which is virtually forgotten today. Unfairly compared to CIMARRON (1931) - with which it shares some of the same themes and performers - THE CONQUERORS is well able to stand on its own merits, among which first-rate production values and very fine acting are not the least. Certain sequences - the keelboat, the hanging of the outlaws, the opening of the new bank, the arrival of the first train - remain in the memory for a long time.
Covering the years 1873 to 1929, we watch the growth of Fort Allen, Nebraska, as seen through the life of banker Roger Standish, most effectively played by Richard Dix. This underrated actor creates a hero worth emulating, one who courageously strives to improve his society and protect his investors through the quiet dignity of his own character. As his wife, he is well-matched by actress Ann Harding, who provides a tower of strength and graciousness through every adversity.
Much of the story's laughter - and heartache - is provided through the wonderful pairing of Edna May Oliver, as the no-nonsense owner of the local hotel, and Guy Kibbee, as her alcoholic doctor husband. These two inimitable character actors effortlessly steal all of their scenes - as they would continue to do time & time again throughout the rest of the decade.
Movie mavens will recognize Elizabeth Patterson as Dix' sympathetic landlady and Robert Greig as the blasé Englishman at Miss Harding's auction sale, both uncredited.
David O. Selznick was the Executive Producer; the rousing music was composed by Max Steiner. Slavko Vorkapich, the Master of the Montage, provided the transitional effects.
Here is a prime example of a very fine film which is virtually forgotten today. Unfairly compared to CIMARRON (1931) - with which it shares some of the same themes and performers - THE CONQUERORS is well able to stand on its own merits, among which first-rate production values and very fine acting are not the least. Certain sequences - the keelboat, the hanging of the outlaws, the opening of the new bank, the arrival of the first train - remain in the memory for a long time.
Covering the years 1873 to 1929, we watch the growth of Fort Allen, Nebraska, as seen through the life of banker Roger Standish, most effectively played by Richard Dix. This underrated actor creates a hero worth emulating, one who courageously strives to improve his society and protect his investors through the quiet dignity of his own character. As his wife, he is well-matched by actress Ann Harding, who provides a tower of strength and graciousness through every adversity.
Much of the story's laughter - and heartache - is provided through the wonderful pairing of Edna May Oliver, as the no-nonsense owner of the local hotel, and Guy Kibbee, as her alcoholic doctor husband. These two inimitable character actors effortlessly steal all of their scenes - as they would continue to do time & time again throughout the rest of the decade.
Movie mavens will recognize Elizabeth Patterson as Dix' sympathetic landlady and Robert Greig as the blasé Englishman at Miss Harding's auction sale, both uncredited.
David O. Selznick was the Executive Producer; the rousing music was composed by Max Steiner. Slavko Vorkapich, the Master of the Montage, provided the transitional effects.
Together through life.
dbdumonteil11 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Not only Richard Dix plays the banker from youth to old age ,but he also portrays his grandson and the scene in which "they" are together is fascinating.
"The conquerors is a fascinating saga:although rather short,it's so compact we have the strange feeling of having watched a hours + work.
remarkable sequences (and ****SpOILERS)
-the death of the young boy and the old doc: avoiding any trick of the tearjerkers ,Wellman shows the mother picking up the toys on the bedroom floor and putting them into the chest ;she and her husband close the chest :that's all but it's enough to make us feel their despair.
-The scene in which the clients ask for their money which predates that of Frank Capra 's 'it's a wonderful life" by more than 10 years; -The birth of the grandson while at the very same moment,the father takes his own life.
-The old banker talking to the portrait of his late wife.
William Wellman ,like his equal Frank Borzague ,shows an infinite sympathy for his characters;it shows in such works as this one,but also in "wild boys of the road" "heroes for sale" or "the ox -bow incident'
"The conquerors is a fascinating saga:although rather short,it's so compact we have the strange feeling of having watched a hours + work.
remarkable sequences (and ****SpOILERS)
-the death of the young boy and the old doc: avoiding any trick of the tearjerkers ,Wellman shows the mother picking up the toys on the bedroom floor and putting them into the chest ;she and her husband close the chest :that's all but it's enough to make us feel their despair.
-The scene in which the clients ask for their money which predates that of Frank Capra 's 'it's a wonderful life" by more than 10 years; -The birth of the grandson while at the very same moment,the father takes his own life.
-The old banker talking to the portrait of his late wife.
William Wellman ,like his equal Frank Borzague ,shows an infinite sympathy for his characters;it shows in such works as this one,but also in "wild boys of the road" "heroes for sale" or "the ox -bow incident'
Timely for 2002
jacobaustin3 October 2002
The last thirty minutes of this film have a fascinating cinematic depiction of the 1929 stock market crash. Check it out.
Edna May Oliver is a gem. The acting style is super theatrical; so much so that it's almost post modern, actors commenting on acting on stage. It would be interesting to remake this picture now with a film within a film screenplay, the actors of that period moving in and out of character.
Take a look with your nostalgic eyeballs in your head and you'll enjoy this old RKO picture.
Edna May Oliver is a gem. The acting style is super theatrical; so much so that it's almost post modern, actors commenting on acting on stage. It would be interesting to remake this picture now with a film within a film screenplay, the actors of that period moving in and out of character.
Take a look with your nostalgic eyeballs in your head and you'll enjoy this old RKO picture.
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