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The Virginian

Play trailer Poster for The Virginian Released Apr 17, 1946 1h 30m Western Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 48% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
In the 1880s, spunky young Molly Wood (Barbara Britton) chooses to leave her Vermont home for an exciting life as a schoolteacher in the small western cattle town of Bear Creek, Wyo. Settling into her new home, she's befriended by a kindhearted but stern ranch foreman known only as the Virginian (Joel McCrea). As he attempts to woo the standoffish schoolmarm, the Virginian must also deal with a set of cattle rustlers led by the villainous Trampas (Brian Donlevy).

Critics Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews The banal plotline was not impressive. Rated: B- Mar 24, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Never knew this, but this is the movie that started the series, starring James Drury, and Doug McClure, The Virginian. I highly recommend this one James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas, August 3, 2023 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/03/23 Full Review Audience Member Technicolor enhances this second sound remake of the Owen Wister classic. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member This story, originally written by novelist Owen Wister is the granddaddy of the western genre. Western novels before that were usually about real life characters, Buffalo Bill, Wyatt Earp for example: that put them in these two dimensional heroic settings. Those things were nicknamed "Penny dreadfuls" and that they were... The Prototype of Them All--Joel McCrea was a fine actor, a combination of the best features of Gary Cooper(who did the role in an earlier version), Jimmy Stewart and a younger John Wayne. Nobody has done a better job in playing this character including Cooper. Brian Donlevy is the villainous Trampas and he never disappoints. Sonny Tufts probably has the best role in his career as Steve, The Virginian's friend who turns to rustling with Trampas. Barbara Britton is properly demure as the schoolmarm... Should be on a double feature with 'The Ox Bow Incident'!! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member 160103: I want to see the original. This one is ok but lacks impact. The atmosphere and acting are just too happy-go-lucky in this re-make (1st re-make) of The Virginian (1929). Credit for the realism of Trampas' (Donlevy) back shooting tactics in the final showdown (a showdown which brought back memories of High Noon for some reason) but any benefit is lost by his all black wardrobe. Ouch. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A little bored by this one. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member good westernn this is a remake and my fave version of this Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Virginian

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The Virginian

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the 1880s, spunky young Molly Wood (Barbara Britton) chooses to leave her Vermont home for an exciting life as a schoolteacher in the small western cattle town of Bear Creek, Wyo. Settling into her new home, she's befriended by a kindhearted but stern ranch foreman known only as the Virginian (Joel McCrea). As he attempts to woo the standoffish schoolmarm, the Virginian must also deal with a set of cattle rustlers led by the villainous Trampas (Brian Donlevy).
Director
Stuart Gilmore
Producer
Paul Jones
Production Co
Paramount
Genre
Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 17, 1946, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Runtime
1h 30m