The Howards of Virginia

directed by Frank Lloyd
Category: "War"
Year of Release:1940
Date Added:04/20/2026
Date Watched:04/20/2026
Description:Backwoods surveyor Matt Howard (Cary Grant) convinces aristocrat Jane Peyton (Martha Scott) to marry him and move to the wilderness. In spite of their different backgrounds, which cause frequent dissention between them, they manage to build a plantation and raise two sons and a daughter. Their older son, Peyton, is somewhat lame, and Matt ignores him as much as possible while lavishing attention on younger son James. Matt becomes popular among his neighbors and is elected to serve in the House of Burgess. When the Revolutionary War comes, Matt insists on becoming a soldier. Mary doesn't want him to, and moves to the home of her Tory brother, Fleetwood. Years later, the two boys go to find their father. To his surprise, Matt discovers that Peyton is the one who holds his views on liberty while James thinks like an aristocrat. Before Matt can reconcile with his son for his neglect, Peyton is sent off with dispatches. He's injured, but safe, and is something of a hero. The war ends, and Matt and Jane reconcile and determine to build their home together again.
My Rating:5

Reviews for The Howards of Virginia

Review - Howards of Virginia, The

I'm not a big fan of historical drama that mix fiction and fact. In this one, Thomas Jefferson was the unlikely best friend of Matt. That aside, however, it wasn't a terrible movie — except for Cary Grant. This is his least favorite of his movies, and for good reason. His acting was atrocious. He bulled his way through his lines and his scenes like he was on a different speed than everyone else. The dialogue he was given wasn't a help, but he would have ruined any dialogue with his acting here.

Reviewed by Roger on 2026-04-20 14:44:25

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