Watch The Baron of Arizona

The Academy Award-nominated movie "The Baron of Arizona" from 1950 is a historical drama that tells the story of an ambitious, scamming man named James Reavis, who used all means to defraud the U.S government and claim the State of Arizona as his own property. The film is directed by Samuel Fuller and stars Vincent Price as Reavis, Ellen Drew as Sofia De Peralta, and Vladimir Sokoloff as Padre Fontana.

Set in the late 19th century, the film is inspired by the real-life story of James Addison Reavis, who fabricated a claim that he was the rightful owner of a vast tract of land in Arizona called the Peralta Grant, which had been granted by the King of Spain in 1748 to a Spanish nobleman named Miguel de Peralta. With his elaborate forgery skills and a well-planned plot, Reavis filed numerous legal documents to prove his claim and eventually succeeded in gaining recognition from the government as the Baron of Arizona.

The plot begins with the introduction of the protagonist, James Reavis, who is portrayed as a shrewd and confident man with a mission to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful figures in Arizona. With his intelligence and charisma, Reavis manages to convince the young and trusting Sofia De Peralta, a descendant of the original grantee, to marry him and help him in his goal of claiming her family's land.

As Reavis sets to work, he creates an elaborate and intricate set of forgeries that are so convincing that they fool even the most knowledgeable experts. Reavis also solicits the help of Padre Fontana, a Spanish priest, to substantiate his claims that the Peralta family legitimately owned the land. Along the way, Reavis must overcome many hurdles, including a visit from General George Stoneman, who remains suspicious of his claims.

Throughout the movie, the viewer can observe Reavis getting more and more entrenched in his scams and lies, putting him at risk of getting caught. However, due to his intelligence, dedication, and luck, he manages to evade law enforcement and legal remedy, while his wealth and influence keep on increasing. The story reaches its climax when a group of cowboys and prospectors arrives to claim the land, and Reavis must defend his claim by force.

One of the most iconic parts of the movie is the depiction of Reavis' character, played brilliantly by Vincent Price. He portrays Reavis as an excellent actor, manipulator, and master of the art of forgery, yet also as someone driven to succeed no matter the consequences. His performance is also notable for his ability to capture the essence of a man who wants to be noticed and remembered by history—with the title of the Baron of Arizona keeping him relevant.

Overall, "The Baron of Arizona" is an exciting and historically significant movie that tells the story of one of the most remarkable cases of land fraud seen in the United States. It presents an intriguing tale of deceit, ambition, and betrayal, told through a series of memorable performances by Price, Drew, and Sokoloff, along with excellent direction from Samuel Fuller. To date, it remains one of the most critically acclaimed movies of the 1950s, a real cinematic gem that is worth seeing for any lover of historical film.