Man of Conquest (1939)

I'm annoyed with myself because I've seen two classic Hollywood stinkers in a row. Last night was Man of Conquest, which is a hagiographic faux-western about Sam Houston and Andrew Jackson. As you might imagine, it is insane and full of ridiculous inaccuracies. Now, Sam Houston's life was also insane and absurd, so perhaps that all makes sense, but trying to make this guy into some kind of amazing, freedom-loving war hero is just nuts, although he did negotiate on behalf of the Cherokee nation. Sam Houston's life would make an interesting biopic, of course, but this one was invested mostly in convincing us all that "Andy" Jackson was one of the best presidents and best Americans ever to have lived (!) and that rebellion in Texas against México was somehow justified because the settler colonial state allowed individuals to own guns and México did not. Actually, this does make sense. These filmmakers probably believe that the South's secession was also justified and laudable. This is as much a bit of pro-gun propaganda and a redefinition of the second amendment as it is a pro-genocide Andrew Jackson film. No thanks.