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The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, 1962

Starring: John Wayne, James Stewart

Directed by: John Ford

Written by: James Warner Bellah

Language: English

Country: USA

Runtime: 123 min

MPAA Rating:

Rating:8.1

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Profile of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance can be described as bittersweet, gloomy, and atmospheric. The plot revolves around an uninhibited rivalry, social relations, and politics. The main genre is western. In terms of style, it features an all-star cast. In approach, it is serious and realistic. It is set, at least in part, in a small town. It takes place in the Old West and in the 19th century. Visually, it is black and white. The movie has received attention for being a classic, a masterpiece, and essential viewing. Note that it involves mild violent content.

Summary of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

In John Ford's stark, melancholy swan song for the conventional frontier Western, aged Senator Ransom Stoddard (James Stewart) returns to the small town of Shinbone with his wife, Hallie (Vera Miles), for the funeral of his friend, Tom Doniphan (John Wayne), where he recounts for reporters his relationship with the man. His arrival in the town years earlier as a newly minted lawyer had been welcomed with a vicious beating by Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin), a flamboyant thug hired by powerful business interests fearful of the lawyer's intentions to stump for statehood. Doniphan, a rancher and feared gunman, finds Stoddard unconscious, takes him into town, and continues to protect him, particularly after coming to realize that the woman he loves cares more for the lawyer. Despite Doniphan's warnings that the only law in the region comes at the end of a gun barrel, the stubborn lawyer insists on teaching the illiterate townspeople about the rule of law in a democratic society. When Stoddard is elected as the regional delegate to the territorial convention, Valance baits the politician, a notoriously inept gunman, into a showdown.

The film, which plays like a Western version of Freud's CIVILIZATION AND ITS DISCONTENTS, reflects the aging director's ambivalence about many of the beliefs that had animated his earlier work. Shot on two soundstages because of a limited budget and Ford's poor health, THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE blends a stripped-down look with an intentionally fractured, ambiguous narrative to stand as a haunting elegy for the fearless gunman, the endless wilderness, and the loss of freedom their vanishing betokens.

Details

Language:	English
Country:	USA
Release date:	22 April 1962
Runtime:	123 min

Cast and Crew See all

John Wayne

as Tom Doniphon

James Stewart

as Ransom Stoddard

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The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

Users Reviews See all

THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE: I have always loved watching movies starring JOHN WAYNE, This is one of my favorite movies and I highly recommend it. JOHN always give 110%, and his acting is always very convincing and spot on. I give this movie... Read and rate it

10.January.2011
|
by: Netflowers
Netflowers rated this movie0/10

29.March.2010
|
by: Democritus
Democritus rated this movie8/10Great

The 1962 date is what's significant. John Ford is no longer imparting a deeply personal vision, but non-movie buffs seeking a fairly good family western will probably be satisfied. Otherwise, it's a somewhat domesticated but valid genre product. James Stewart plays a standard role for him: a decent law-abiding man challenged by brusque frontier reality & could've phoned in that performance, but gives it game sincerity; John Wayne nicely plays his semi-friendly foil who predictably tries to tell him he'll need to stand his ground with a gun, not a law book. Yes, this is the movie where he actually calls Stewart's character "Pilgrim." Over and over. Almost risible after a while. Not the iconic west of the great classics but a reflection of "Education is the Basis of Law and Order" as Stewart chalks on the board at one idealistic point. At least there is a black character who almost gets to recite that "all men are created equal." A good and proper western of the JFK era. And Ford effectively ends the movie with an ironic note about the way US history is a combination of myth and violence--and even lies. There is a certain satisfaction with the story as Ford ties up the tale, even if the characters are supposed to be 30+ years older-- character age is pure Hollywood fantasy throughout. The slightest touch of grey hair is about as close as they get. (They are a bit too old to play the younger characters, but it works anyway.) Yet a nice little western. As we consider the legacy of Reagan, think of this line: "This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." William Clothier (and uncredited lighting assistants) did an outstanding job with the B&W photography. The song with the movie title is nowhere to be heard here, not sung or even heard in melody. (I love the old pop tune, but it's probably better it is not in this cut ) NOTE: The Netfl;x description inexplicably contains a spoiler that diminishes the impact of the movie. Why!?!? 7.15.08

29.March.2010
|
by: Democritus

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