Rating: 
Summary: I'm Really Not a Fan of Westerns, But............
Review: John Ford's "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" is a marvelous movie, regardless of how you feel about Westerns. This isn't a movie about outlaws, or something violent, but a study of the fight between old and new in our society. John Wayne's rugged cowboy represents the old, untamed west. Jimmy Stewart's refined and educated lawyer represents the order and civilized nature of a new west. Both clearly love the land they live on in different ways, and when the time comes to protect the people of the west from the evil Liberty Valance (played to perfection by Lee Marvin), they team up to save the day. In the end, Stewart's way of life, the way of progress, wins out. However, as can be seen by the memories the major characters have at the start of the film, the old west never really dies. The movie is just brilliant, with all the leads in top form, especially the forgotten Vera Miles as the woman both Wayne and Stewart love.
Rating: 
Summary: john wayne is the true hero of this movie
Review: I loved this movie. John Wayne sacrifices his heart and his pride and turns a territory into a state. Great acting all around, especially Lee Marvin as a despicable gunslinger. Still, John Wayne emerges as the true hero of this movie.
Rating:
Summary: A Ford Masterpiece
Review: This film really showcases Ford's brilliance as a director.The way the film draws you in and commands your attention without the use of grand vistas or gratuitous violence. You follow along and watch the story unfold, while spotting bits of humor along the way. The characters are full and it is interesting to see the way they react and inter-react. Wayne and Stewart are excellent. And you'll fall in love with Vera Miles. You'll love this film even if you don't care for westerns.
Rating:
Summary: On a scale of four, three and a half
Review: This western is an enjoyable film, with good acting, and there is really nothing bad to say about it. I believe this film is equal to if not better than "Stagecoach", which is Ford's most famous film. For some reason this film has been hidden away, and I hadn't seen it or heard much about it until only recently when I checked it out from my local public library and watched it. One reason that it is obscure might be because it came out in 1962, right along with some other great (I wouldn't go so far as to say this movie is great though) movies. Movies like "Lawrence of Arabia", "The Manchurian Candidate" (One of my personal favorites), the first James Bond film, etc. If you like westerns, or old movies, or John Wayne, or James Stewart you can check this one out and you should be pleased with your choice. I wouldn't buy it though.
Rating:
Summary: John Ford,s Memory Western
Review: When this film was released many critrics panned it because they had no vision at all. Its a good thing that the great John Ford had vision....indeed. This film, shot in black and white, is not meant to be panoramic, it is however a final salute to what used to be and can be no more. A truly great cast brings to life the story of a town called Shinbone with Wayne superb in a non sympathetic role. The final scene on the train with Stewart, Vera Miles and Willis Bouchey is now folklore. CP
Rating:
Summary: A captivating western classic that I can see over, and over.
Review: John Ford has put together another must see with the likes of John Wayne, and James Stewart. The performance of Lee Marvin as Liberty Valance is superb, and the supporting cast which includes Strother Martin ("I'll get it Liberty!"), Lee VanCleef, and other notables makes this the one western you better not miss. Pay close attention to the Territory vs. state debate scene ... many fine performances by the lesser known stars! Ford took great pains to get all the little things right, and the end result is film that is entertaining from the main stars right on down the line.
Rating:
Summary: Second Greatest Western
Review: Right behind True Grit... the GREATEST western ever made. Wayne and Steward are great in this one. Gotta see it.
Rating:
Summary: Not a fan of Westerns? You will be...
Review: From amidst the plethora of available Hollywood Western titles emerge a relatively few notables: this is one, and Number One on my personal list. Each character is cast and enacted with serene perfection. The screenplay is without flaw. The cinematography, direction, etc... It will create in you a true love for The Western, single-handedly. If that love is already there, and you haven't seen this movie...where have you been?
Rating: 
Summary: So what's all the fuss about?
Review: I've been searching for the "best" western, and a couple of people recommended this one. It does bring up some interesting issues, but I'm still searching.The movie, besides being stuffed with the usual cliches of the genre and the usual shoddy production values (obviously the whole thing was shot in a studio except for the train scenes at beginning and end), is a muddle. What exactly is the message? It seems to be that we need to murder bad guys in order to control them, and that what passes for civilization is just a lie. This would seem to support the silly interpretation of the film as an allegory for our war on terror, but that doesn't quite work either. Liberty was out in the street and easily identifiable, whereas most terrorists are in hiding or are unknown. "Taking the law into our own hands" is what Valance's thugs try to do after he's killed, and look where it gets them. Finally, neither way of life--the old Wild West nor the new more civilized West--looks like a very desirable condition. If we can believe this film (that is, take it as a metaphor), then in the old West everyone was too cowardly to stand up and face the bad guys except for the ineffectual representative of the new civilization, but Valance finally had to be shot from the shadows in a side street by the supposed "manly" John Wayne character--not a very nice allegory to base our country's behavior or character on. However that may be, it's another second-rate Western. I'm beginning to believe that the whole genre is second-rate.
Rating:
Summary: The law, or the gun
Review:
Director: John Ford
Format: Black and white
Studio: Paramount
Video Release Date: April 7, 1998
Cast: John Wayne ... Tom Doniphon
James Stewart ... Ransom Stoddard (attorney)
Vera Miles ... Hallie Stoddard
Lee Marvin ... Liberty Valance
Edmond O'Brien ... Dutton Peabody (Editor of the Shinbone Star)
Andy Devine ... Marshal Link Appleyard
Ken Murray ... Doc Willoughby
John Carradine ... Maj. Cassius Starbuckle
Jeanette Nolan ... Nora Ericson
John Qualen ... Peter Ericson
Willis Bouchey ... Jason Tully (conductor)
Carleton Young ... Maxwell Scott
Woody Strode ... Pompey
Denver Pyle ... Amos Carruthers
Strother Martin ... Floyd
Lee Van Cleef ... Reese
Robert F. Simon ... Handy Strong
O.Z. Whitehead ... Herbert Carruthers
Paul Birch ... Mayor Winder
Joseph Hoover ... Charlie Hasbrouck (reporter for 'The Star')
Robert Donner
Larry Finley ... Bar X man
Shug Fisher ... Kaintuck (drunk)
Mario Arteaga ... Henchman
Sam Harris Chuck Hayward ... Henchman
William Henry
Bryan 'Slim' Hightower ... Shotgun
Earle Hodgins ... Clute Dumphries
Stuart Holmes
Mike Edward Jauregui ... Drummer
Jack Kenny
Leonard Baker ... Man
Ted Mapes ... Highpockets
Montie Montana ... Politician on horseback
Bob Morgan ... Roughrider
Charles Morton ... Drummer
Jack Pennick ... Jack, Barman
Chuck Roberson ... Henchman
Buddy Roosevelt
Charles Seel ... President, election council
Slim Talbot
Charles Akins
Ralph Volkie ... Townsman
Max Wagner ... Poker game dealer
Blackie Whiteford
Jack Williams ... Henchman
Danny Borzage ... Townsman
Helen Gibson
Gertrude Astor
Anna Lee ... Mrs. Prescott (widow in stage holdup)
Jacqueline Malouf ... Lietta Appleyard
Eva Novak
Dorothy Phillips
Stephanie Pond-Smith This movie is top heavy with some of the best stars in the business: John Wayne, James Stewart, Lee Marvin, Edmond O'Brien, Andy Devine, John Carradine, Denver Pyle and a host of lesser names. A classic tale of the old West, although it is in black and white--not a flaw for some of us. The story is about a young lawyer, Ransom Stoddard (James Stewart) who comes West to practice law staright out of law school. He soon learns that in the West, the gun is more powerful than the law--although he is not willing to admit it, yet. He is robbed of all his money on the stagecoach, and discovers that almost everyone knows his robber, Liberty Valance, but no one, including the town Marshal, Link Appleyard (Andy Devine) is afraid to take on Liberty Valance. Everyone, that is, except Tom Doniphon (John Wayne), and he appears to be unwilling to get involved. This sets up the conflict, and the story proceeds from there. This is a fine Western, entertaining, well acted (as one might expect) and well directed by John Ford, also as might be expected. Joseph (Joe) Pierre
author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books
|
