You are here:

The Howards of Virginia

Name: The Howards of Virginia
Director: Frank Lloyd
Released: 1940
Duration: 116 min

Representation Score

0.4/10

Minimal

1940

Director

Frank Lloyd

Runtime

116 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

The Howards of Virginia is a traditional historical drama that emphasizes classical storytelling and established social hierarchies. It reinforces conventional expectations about class, gender, and Western social structures through a lens of romantic melodrama. The film lacks complexity in addressing multiple aspects of identity and does not disrupt traditional storylines. While it explores tensions between socioeconomic classes, it does not offer a critical look at power dynamics. The narrative structure adheres to the conventions of mid-century filmmaking, focusing on conventional moral frameworks rather than challenging societal norms.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does The Howards of Virginia have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows a traditional romantic storyline between a man and a woman, reinforcing heterosexual relationships.

How does The Howards of Virginia portray gender?

Limited

Jane chooses a partner outside her social class, but her story remains centered around domestic and romantic fulfillment within a patriarchal society.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Howards of Virginia?

Minimal

The cast is predominantly white, reflecting the historical context of the 18th century and 1940s production standards. It focuses on the aristocratic social structure.

How does The Howards of Virginia represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film upholds Western institutional values such as class decorum and family honor, reinforcing the colonial social order.

Does The Howards of Virginia include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no focus on neurodivergence or physical disabilities. No characters are shown with visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

The film explores the tension between different socioeconomic levels through its central romance.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks representation of non-white characters or significant roles for non-white individuals.
The story reinforces traditional gender roles and patriarchal lineage rather than challenging them.
There is no depiction of LGBTQ+ identities or critiques of heteronormativity.
The film lacks any focus on neurodivergence or physical disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Beautiful young Virginian Jane steps down from her proper aristocratic upbringing when she marries down-to-earth surveyor Matt Howard. Matt joins the Colonial forces in their fight for freedom against England. Matt will meet Jane's father in the battlefield.

How are these scores produced? →