Montana

Montana

Year: 1950

Runtime: 76 mins

Language: English

Directors: Raoul Walsh, Ray Enright

RomanceActionWesternAdventure

Their bullets riveted a new star to the flag! An Australian sheep man comes to Montana looking for grazing space, is opposed by local ranchers and a wealthy cattle-woman.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Montana (1950)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Montana (1950). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1871

The story unfolds in 1871, a volatile post‑Civil War West where cattle and sheep interests clash for grazing land. Lawlessness and personal vendettas shape daily life on the frontier, turning disputes into violent confrontations. The era’s rugged economics drive the plot, with land and livestock as the central currencies of power.

Location

Montana Territory

Montana Territory is portrayed as a rough frontier where grazing rights spark deep hostility between cattlemen and sheep herders. A border town enforces a deadly line, signaling that crossing into cattle country will be punished with violence. The landscape is wide and austere, setting the stage for tense confrontations and frontier justice.

🏞️ Frontier Landscape 🐄 Cattle Ranching 🐑 Sheep Herding

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:32

Main Characters – Montana (1950)

Meet the key characters of Montana (1950), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Morgan Lane (Errol Flynn)

A roaming Australian sheepman who arrives in Montana intent on acquiring land to herd sheep. He combines charm with ruthlessness, using cunning to navigate town politics and rival factions. His daring with a gun and willingness to gamble on deals drive much of the conflict, while his romantic moment with Maria adds complexity to his roughen image.

🤠 Frontier Outlaw 🐑 Sheep Herding

Maria Singleton (Alexis Smith)

A determined landowner opposed to sheep herders, she initially resists Morgan's advances and the idea of leasing land. Her loyalty to her property and to Rod is tested by Morgan's manipulation, yet she responds with resolve and courage. The evolving relationship with Morgan culminates in both affection and conflict, revealing a strong-willed counterpart to the frontier’s violence.

💼 Landowner 💞 Romantic Protagonist

Rod Ackroyd (Douglas Kennedy)

Maria's fiancé and a vehement cattleman who bets on land and power. He is quick to suspicion and prone to aggression, orchestrating efforts to dominate the grazing wars. His tactical moves, including attempting to trigger a stampede, push the conflict toward its deadly climax.

💼 Wealth ⚔️ Rivalry

Slim Reeves (Ian Macdonald)

Rod's right-hand man, whose aggressive stance and willingness to cheat test Morgan. He squarely faces Morgan in confrontation, and his actions contribute to the film's escalating violence. His arc ends abruptly as a misfired gun leads to his own death during a pivotal fight.

🔫 Gunslinger ⚔️ Rivalry

Forsythe (Lester Matthews)

One of the area’s main landowners, he weaves himself into the core circle of power and plans a social gathering to advance the cause of war against sheep herders. His influence and scheme are central to the escalation of tensions, culminating in his murder during a confrontation.

🏰 Elite Power 🗡️ Antagonist

Papa Schultz (S.Z. Sakall)

A traveling peddler who partners with Morgan, using wit and charm to blend into the town’s social fabric. He provides Morgan with a cover as they enter town and influence the course of events through their collaboration. His presence adds a layer of levity and shrewdness to the frontier’s political games.

🧭 Peddler 🗺️ Traveling Merchant

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:32

Major Themes – Montana (1950)

Explore the central themes of Montana (1950), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Frontier Conflict

Economic rivalries over grazing rights escalate into open clashes across the Montana frontier. Land ownership and leases become weapons in a wider struggle between sheep herders and cattlemen. The violence grows from skirmishes to coordinated efforts to move livestock through hostile territory, highlighting the brutal cost of survival on the frontier.

💞 Love and Betrayal

Morgan's deceit about leasing land tests the vow between him and Maria, revealing the precarious ethics that govern frontier life. Maria's initial trust gives way to anger when she learns of the ruse, underscoring how suspicion can complicate relationships amid warlike conditions. Their romance provides a fragile counterpoint to violence, culminating in a tense yet intimate reconciliation.

⚖️ Law and Vigilantism

The sheriff and organized factions shape the conflict, illustrating the fragile balance between order and chaos on the frontier. A planned cattle stampede becomes a battleground, and the outcome depends on quick, brutal decisions rather than formal justice. The deaths of key figures mark the high cost of enforcing control in a lawless landscape.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:32

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Montana Summary

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Montana Summary

Montana Timeline

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Montana Timeline

More About Montana

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More About Montana

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