Rating: 
Summary: THE Classic Western
Review: Anyone who likes westerns will treasure this
gem. Cooper and Brennan at their best. Wyler's
direction and Tiomkin's music unequaled.
Rating:
Summary: Cooper and Brennan at their best...
Review: but, like the other guy said, I'm partial to old westerns
Rating:
Summary: "The Westerner": Brennan's acting and Toland's photography
Review: Director William Wyler began his career making two-reel westerns in the late 1920s, but did not return to the genre or filming outdoors until this 1940 classic. The traditional story of the conflict between the farmers and the cattlemen is represented by Gary Cooper as Cole Hardin and Walter Brennan as "Judge" Roy Bean. Hardin is brought before the self-appointed Judge ("the only law west of the Pecos") as a horse-thief. Fortunately, Hardin notices the giant pictures of Lily Langtry behind the bar of the Jersey Lily (Langtry's nickname as well as the name of the Judge's bar). Playing upon Bean's love for the actress (better known as the mistress of Prince Edward), Hardin wins a two-week reprieve and becomes embroiled in the coming range war. Brennan deservedly won an Academy Award for his portrayal, but for me the star of the show is cinematographer Gregg Toland ("Citizen Kane" as well as Wyler's "Wuthering Heights). The only other western to really come close in terms of compositional artistry is "My Darling Clementine." The climatic showdown between Hardin and the Judge in the deserted auditorium Bean had bought out to watch Lily performed without being disturbed evidences Wylers touch as a director, but most of the film's memorable moments are Toland's photography, such as the young girl standing by her father's grave reading the scorched pages of the family's Bible. "The Westerner" is arguably the most cinematic film in the genre.
Rating:
Summary: "The Westerner": Brennan's acting and Toland's photography
Review: Director William Wyler began his career making two-reel westerns in the late 1920s, but did not return to the genre or filming outdoors until this 1940 classic. The traditional story of the conflict between the farmers and the cattlemen is represented by Gary Cooper as Cole Hardin and Walter Brennan as "Judge" Roy Bean. Hardin is brought before the self-appointed Judge ("the only law west of the Pecos") as a horse-thief. Fortunately, Hardin notices the giant pictures of Lily Langtry behind the bar of the Jersey Lily (Langtry's nickname as well as the name of the Judge's bar). Playing upon Bean's love for the actress (better known as the mistress of Prince Edward), Hardin wins a two-week reprieve and becomes embroiled in the coming range war. Brennan deservedly won an Academy Award for his portrayal, but for me the star of the show is cinematographer Gregg Toland ("Citizen Kane" as well as Wyler's "Wuthering Heights). The only other western to really come close in terms of compositional artistry is "My Darling Clementine." The climatic showdown between Hardin and the Judge in the deserted auditorium Bean had bought out to watch Lily performed without being disturbed evidences Wylers touch as a director, but most of the film's memorable moments are Toland's photography, such as the young girl standing by her father's grave reading the scorched pages of the family's Bible. "The Westerner" is arguably the most cinematic film in the genre.
Rating:
Summary: Cooper and Brennan at their best
Review: Great movie although I'm partial to old westerns
Rating:
Summary: This Thing's Magnificent!
Review: I Can't tell you how delighted I was with this film. Easily Brennon's best effort (he's practically the leading man here) and Gary Cooper is brilliant as usual. Especially like how the writers don't hit you over the head with obvious jokes, opting instead for subltey. By gobs this film is wonderful EVERYTIME I watch it. If you haven't seen it I highly recomend you buy yerself a copy! Now GET OUTTA MY BAR!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent western about Judge Roy Bean
Review: I picked this up out of pure curiosity--and was very pleasantly surprised. The Westerner is an excellent film that features a good script and the excellent cinematography of Gregg Toland and the seamless direction by William Wyler. This print is a little grainy and contrasty and it is not widescreen letterboxed as the Amazon description says, but this DVD was a real discovery for me. So I'm grateful that I thought it was an early widescreen film--I may not have picked it up otherwise.
Rating: 
Summary: Unrestored DVD
Review: It's a very good film but I knock the score down for the shoddy quality of the DVD. Graininess is apparent throughout. There are also some bad scars on the film that show up. Most annoying was a frequent change in contrast. The film would jump to a faded condition, sometimes in the middle of the scene. This movie would be a real prize with a restored print on DVD. Let's hope they get around to it.
Rating:
Summary: Brennan,s Oscar
Review: Peerless western with Cooper and Brennan dueling verbally and having a good time.Tongue in Check dialogue adds to the show: Charles Halton walks into the bar in black Cooper says to Brennan "who,s that?" Brennan says " Oh thats Mort....he cleans UP around here.Paul Hurst does his shaggy cowpoke routine and the rest of the cast are real characters. Walter Brennan got one of his three Oscars for this one.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Western
Review: The Coop is fine as a lawman who goes undercover to capture Judge Bean. I think this movie shows fine acting, especially Walter Brennan, and writing. I have this movie and watch it about twice a year. I think it is a nice movie to watch with a male buddy who likes westerns. Curl up with a carton of popcorn and a soda and lose yourself in the old west.
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