The Sisters (1938) in Color — Starring Errol Flynn & Bette Davis

The Sisters (1938) — Buy This Classic in Color

Experience the sweeping romantic drama The Sisters (1938) colorized in stunning HD quality. Directed by Anatole Litvak, this Warner Bros. production stars Bette Davis and Errol Flynn in the story of three sisters from a small Montana silver-mining town whose lives diverge dramatically against the backdrop of some of the most turbulent years in American history — from Theodore Roosevelt’s 1904 presidential election through the devastating San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Davis plays Louise Elliott, the eldest sister, who falls passionately in love with Frank Medlin (Flynn), a charming, talented but unstable newspaper reporter whose drinking and restlessness threaten to destroy their marriage. As Louise fights to hold her marriage together against the forces of her husband’s self-destructive nature and the literal destruction of a great American city, the film weaves an intimate love story into the fabric of a nation in transformation. Now available as an instant, DRM-free digital download for only €15.00.

Plot Summary

Silver Bow, Montana, 1904. On the night of Theodore Roosevelt’s presidential election, three sisters attend the town’s celebration ball, and each takes a step that will determine the course of her life. Louise (Bette Davis), the eldest and most passionate, falls in love with Frank Medlin (Errol Flynn), a visiting journalist whose charm and intensity captivate her immediately. They elope to San Francisco, where Frank has a newspaper job.

Their marriage is initially happy — Louise adores Frank, and Frank, when sober and engaged, is a gifted, exciting man. But Frank is fundamentally unstable — he drinks too much, chafes at routine, and cannot settle into the steady life that Louise needs. His restlessness leads him to abandon Louise for a voyage to the Orient, leaving her pregnant and alone in San Francisco with no money and no family nearby.

Louise, drawing on reserves of strength she did not know she possessed, builds an independent life — finding work, making friends, and preparing for her child. Then, on April 18, 1906, the San Francisco earthquake strikes, devastating the city and Louise’s fragile new stability along with it. The earthquake sequences are spectacularly staged, plunging Louise into chaos, destruction, and mortal danger. Meanwhile, her sisters’ contrasting stories unfold — one has made a comfortable but passionless marriage, the other pursues ambition and independence. The film builds toward Louise’s discovery of whether love and marriage can survive the earthquake — both literal and metaphorical — that has shaken her world.

Cast & Crew

Director: Anatole Litvak
Stars: Bette Davis delivers a performance of quiet, fierce determination that showcases her extraordinary ability to convey strength through suffering. Her Louise is not a victim but a fighter — a woman whose love is a form of stubborn, magnificent courage. Errol Flynn, cast against type in a dramatic role rather than a swashbuckler, brings genuine vulnerability and charm to the flawed, self-destructive Frank. The supporting sisters — Anita Louise and Jane Bryan — create effective contrasts.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized edition enhances the film’s period settings with era-accurate hues. The rustic Montana town, the elegant San Francisco streets, the devastating earthquake and fire sequences, and the beautiful period costumes spanning 1904 to 1908 gain extraordinary visual richness through careful colour restoration. Now also available in colour.

Buy now for an instant, secure digital download with no DRM restrictions. Compatible with all devices that play MP4 files.

Historical Significance

Released in 1938, The Sisters was one of the rare pairings of Bette Davis and Errol Flynn, two of Warner Bros.’s biggest stars who had very different screen identities. The film’s ambitious scope — covering four years of American history including Roosevelt’s election and the San Francisco earthquake — demonstrates the scale of Warner Bros. production at its peak. The earthquake sequences were among the most spectacular special effects of the late 1930s. Through colorization, this sweeping romantic drama is preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes — professionally restored frame-by-frame
• Audio: Original English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: 99 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — play anywhere, keep forever
• Instant download: Yes — available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Are Bette Davis and Errol Flynn really in this together?
A: Yes — it is a rare pairing of two of Warner Bros.’s biggest stars. Flynn, usually seen in adventure films, plays a dramatic role here with surprising vulnerability and emotional depth.

Q: Is the San Francisco earthquake depicted?
A: Yes — the earthquake sequences are spectacularly staged and form a major dramatic turning point. The destruction, fires, and chaos are rendered with impressive special effects that remain powerful today.

Q: Is this a typical Bette Davis drama?
A: Davis plays a more restrained, internalised role than in her more famous melodramas — her Louise is quietly strong rather than theatrically intense, and the result is one of her most nuanced and emotionally convincing performances.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file compatible with all modern devices and media players.

Q: Is there DRM protection?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free — you own it outright and can play it on any device forever.

Q: How do I receive the film after purchase?
A: You receive an instant download link immediately after payment. A backup copy of the link is also sent to your email address.

Related Colorized Classics

• Jezebel (1938)
• Dark Victory (1939)
• San Francisco (1936)
• Old Acquaintance (1943)
• The Old Maid (1939)