My Darling Clementine

Rating:
Summary: Fine collaboration of Ford and Fonda
Review: My Darling Clementine is a classic western that finally received the DVD release it deserved. Wyatt Earp and his brothers, Virgil, Morgan, and James, are driving a herd of cattle to California. The three eldest brothers go into the town of Tombstone one night and return to find their brother James murdered and the herd run off. Wyatt decides to take the Marshal job in Tombstone so he can find out who murdered his brother and stole their herd. At the same time, Wyatt takes an interest in Clementine Carter, a young woman from the East who has a past with Wyatt's new friend Doc Holliday. This is obviously not the most historically accurate version of the story, but it is definitely the most fun. Director John Ford takes his time developing the story until the exciting showdown at the OK Corral. Because of this, the viewer gets to know the characters that much better. This western is sometimes overshadowed by Ford's Cavalry trilogy, but it is as good or better than all three movies.

Henry Fonda is perfect as Wyatt Earp, the easy-going yet very capable marshal of Tombstone trying to avenge his brother's death. The image of Fonda's Earp leaning back in his chair at the stagecoach station is easily one of the most recognizable images from any of John Ford's westerns. Linda Darnell plays Chihuahua, Doc Holliday's girl who has instant conflict with Earp. Victor Mature is also excellent as Doc Holliday, the gambler dying of tuberculosis who becomes Wyatt Earp's friend. Cathy Downs plays the title role of Clementine, the woman with feelings for two men, Wyatt and Doc. Walter Brennan is an excellent villain as Old Man Clanton. The movie also stars Tim Holt as Virgil Earp, Ward Bond as Morgan Earp, John Ireland as Billy Clanton, and also Jane Darwell, Grant Withers, J. Farrell MacDonald, and Russell Simpson. The excellent DVD from Fox Studio Classics includes the full screen version of the movie originally released in theaters, the alternate pre-release version of the movie originally intended by John Ford, a 40-minute documentary explaining the differences between the two movies, a decent commentary, a theatrical trailer, and a still gallery. It's too bad more older movies couldn't receive DVD releases like this one. For a classic western beautifully filmed in Monument Valley with a great story and even better cast, check out My Darling Clementine!

Rating:
Summary: Ford and Fonda at their Finest
Review: "My Darling Clementine" has to rank as one of John Ford's three or four finest films, as well as one of Henry Fonda's finest performances. It is only incidentally about the Gunfight at the OK Corral--rather than attempt a factual retelling of the gunfight, Ford uses the story of the Earps, Doc Holliday, and the Clantons to illustrate the sacrifices that have to be made in order for the West to be civilized.

This theme of sacrifice runs through many of Ford's Westerns--see also "Wagonmaster" and "The Searchers," for example. In order for the malevolent lawlessness symbolized by the Clantons to be driven out, there are some others, not malevolent themselves, who are nevertheless doomed by their inability to adapt to civilization (Doc Holliday). Wyatt represents those who must give up something they love--any hope of a future with Clementine Carter--in order to continue doing things that need doing.

As previous reviewers have noted, Ford's account is a far cry from the historical events of the OK Corral gunfight. His biggest alteration of history is to change the relationship between Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday from friendship to antagonism that is somewhat softened by mutual respect, and eventually evolves into alliance. The genuine tension between Wyatt and Doc strengthens the film.

The cast is very strong. Henry Fonda's performance as Wyatt is magnificent. Walter Brennan is equally superb as the malevolent Old Man Clanton, while Victor Mature's consumptive Doc Holliday is, if not memorable, very competent. A number of Ford regulars such as Ward Bond, Russell Simpson, and Jane Darwell provide solid support. The awkward slapstick humor of some of Ford's other films is not a big factor in this one, which is another plus.

Ford was the master of filming outdoor pictures in black and white. Several scenes, such as the dance at the church, are visually stunning.

Of the half dozen or more films about the OK Corral gunfight, this is by far the finest, with "Tombstone" a respectable, but distant second. I highly recommend it to all.

Rating:
Summary: Ford and Fonda at their Finest
Review: "My Darling Clementine" has to rank as one of John Ford's three or four finest films, as well as one of Henry Fonda's finest performances. It is only incidentally about the Gunfight at the OK Corral--rather than attempt a factual retelling of the gunfight, Ford uses the story of the Earps, Doc Holliday, and the Clantons to illustrate the sacrifices that have to be made in order for the West to be civilized.

This theme of sacrifice runs through many of Ford's Westerns--see also "Wagonmaster" and "The Searchers," for example. In order for the malevolent lawlessness symbolized by the Clantons to be driven out, there are some others, not malevolent themselves, who are nevertheless doomed by their inability to adapt to civilization (Doc Holliday). Wyatt represents those who must give up something they love--any hope of a future with Clementine Carter--in order to continue doing things that need doing.

As previous reviewers have noted, Ford's account is a far cry from the historical events of the OK Corral gunfight. His biggest alteration of history is to change the relationship between Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday from friendship to antagonism that is somewhat softened by mutual respect, and eventually evolves into alliance. The genuine tension between Wyatt and Doc strengthens the film.

The cast is very strong. Henry Fonda's performance as Wyatt is magnificent. Walter Brennan is equally superb as the malevolent Old Man Clanton, while Victor Mature's consumptive Doc Holliday is, if not memorable, very competent. A number of Ford regulars such as Ward Bond, Russell Simpson, and Jane Darwell provide solid support. The awkward slapstick humor of some of Ford's other films is not a big factor in this one, which is another plus.

Ford was the master of filming outdoor pictures in black and white. Several scenes, such as the dance at the church, are visually stunning.

Of the half dozen or more films about the OK Corral gunfight, this is by far the finest, with "Tombstone" a respectable, but distant second. I highly recommend it to all.

Rating:
Summary: Not Just A Western Classic, But A World Classic
Review: "My Darling Clementine" is a good piece of film-making. It has all the markings of a classic, and not only as a Western, but as a world film classic. No doubt the film is historically incorrect, but its entertainment value is still very high. Probably the best way to approach this film is to see it not as an accurate account of the events leading up to the OK Corral Gunfight, but as a symbol of the life of Marshal Wyatt Earp, and of the American West. I am sure that most people will find reason to scoff at what I have just said. But, no matter how unfaithful this movie is to real events, something about it still rings true, that to call the movie a fabrication would in turn be untrue. Perhaps the word "romanticization" is a more fitting word. The Marshall and the OK Corral incident have become legends, and it could be said that, in certain aspects, the film aims to turn the legends into mythology.
The movie is excellent in all its production levels. And, there is not one false moment to be found. Cathy Downs' Clementine Carter is never too cute, and Henry Fonda's "stiff 'n slow" walk (prowl??) makes it all more natural. Admittedly, the gunfight could use more excitement, but Director John Ford's approach to the final action scenes avoids being overly made-up, a curious choice given the film's nature. But this course of action is correct in order to maintain the film's "realistic" integrity.
Note: much of the excellent cinematography will be lost in a small screen.

Rating:
Summary: Rich New Rewards For Every Time You Watch It
Review: "My Darling Clementine" is one of those films about which so much has been written(including a good Rutgers "Films In Print" entry),that it seems pointless to belabour it's greatness.I award it five stars only because there are no more available."Clementine" is less a story than a series of incidents,and since the purchase of a video implies repeat viewings,this one is a natural for everyone's permanent collection.I'm all for lean,tightly constructed westerns(of which the James Stewart/Anthony Manns are excellent examples),but the leisurely "Clementine"---austere,relaxed,filled with moments that seem utterly spontaneous---has a roughhewn,unrehearsed quality that's all the more surprising in a major studio "A" western.Since we're dealing with Wyatt Earp and the gunfight at the O.K.Corall,the narrative does eventually assert itself,if only to steer us toward the final confrontation---but the device involving the stolen "Chingadera" and it's reappearance around Linda Darnell's neck,seems almost an intrusion,taking us away from the simpler moments we've enjoyed(for nearly two-thirds of the running time!),and reminding us that there is a story which must be told and now let's get down to the business of telling it.More telling,however,are the many and marvelous details Ford reveals throughout---check out Doc Holliday's room in the hotel---not only do we see his diplomas,but there are photos of a college rowing team on the water---a wonderfully vivid and underplayed glimpse of Doc's past life.There's delightful scenes of people eating meals---big meals---alone and in groups---whereas in so many lesser westerns,all they do is drink whiskey.I love Ward Bond's frequent recitals of what he's just had,or is going to have,for breakfast.The Clantons may be outlaws,but they have framed pictures in their house and potted plants out front---even in town,they move about with familiar ease(check out the way Brennan walks behind the hotel counter to get his own room key).When the Earps are overlooking Tombstone(a stunning shot)just before their initial ride in,Wyatt regards it all quietly for a moment,follows with a resigned "Let's go..",as if knowing something disagreeable lies ahead.The business with the barber and his "sweet smellin' stuff" has been celebrated elsewhere,so I'll only add that the gag works beautifully for me because it's so underplayed---notice how both Tim Holt and Cathy Downs react to Fonda's explanation of the "honeysuckle"---both could have gone for an unsubtle laugh,and in a lesser director's hands,they might have.Several previous films had dealt with the Wyatt Earp legend---two are outstanding---"Law and Order",directed by Edward L.Cahn,and "Frontier Marshall",directed by Alan Dwan.The fact that neither are available on video points up the sorry state of affairs in home collecting these days---such a tiny portion of our great movie past is out there,and with each new technology being so ruthlessy swept away by the next,it seems unlikely that we'll be seeing many new releases of vintage titles in the near future(if at all).Still,there is "Clementine",and if you haven't already keyed it in for purchase,do yourself(and your viewing friends)a favor and buy it now.This is truly a picture you'll want to watch again and again.

Rating:
Summary: PERFECT FILM, AS CLOSE TO PERFECT LOOKING ON DVD
Review: "My Darling Clementine" is the tragic western/melodrama that pits the likes of Wyatt Earp (Henry Fonda)and Doc Halladay (Victor Mature)against the vicious Clanton (Walter Brennan) for a showdown at the O.K. Corral. Linda Darnell cuts a handsome/tragic figure as the saloon hall girl with a heart of gold. On par with "High Noon", "My Darling Clementine" is a western that, once seen, is never to be forgotten.
TRANSFER: KUDOS to Fox. Their DVD is head and shoulders above previously issued VHS and laserdisc versions of this eternal classic. The black and white picture is very well balanced, with solid blacks and an exceptional spectrum of tonal grays. Film grain is evident throughout - as it should be. There are no digital anomalies for a picture that is smooth, solid and wholly enjoyable. Occasionally there is a slight jump in the image, during certain splices or cuts from one scene to the next, but these are vintage imperfections which do not detract from your visual enjoyment. The audio has been remixed to stereo and is nicely balanced.
EXTRAS: We get the original theatrical cut and the preview cut of the film. Apparantly, Darryl F. Zanuck was none too impressed with John Ford's original version - cutting it down by a half hour and altering several key scenes. These are painstakingly re-created by film archivist, Robert Gitt, in a mini-documentary on the making of the film. Very nicely done.
BOTTOM LINE: An absolute must for film lovers and DVD collectors.

Rating:
Summary: A perfect, though unusual western
Review: A perfectly realized western, retelling the classic story of the shootout at the OK Corral... Henry Fonda first appears onscreen as a grizzled, shaggy cattleman, soon revealed to be the legendary lawman, Wyatt Earp. Walter Brennan excels as the heartless patriarch of the Clanton family, whose sons draw Earp into an unavoidable blood feud. Brennan's performance, like Fonda's, is magnificently understated, as is pretty much everything else about this film -- director John Ford embues every scene with an economy of presentation that takes the western genre into the level of high art. Everything about this film rings true... well, other than the romantic melodrama surrounding 'Doc' Holliday, and Victor Mature's mannered portrayal of the tubercular gunman... with fronteir life evoked with the same richness of detail that Ford later recreated in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence." Here, though, the choke of dry dust and sense of fast danger are much more present. The Clantons are a much more sinister set of badmen than Lee Marvin's exaggerated schoolyard bullies; Brennan and his boys simply sidle up and ooze menace and dark violence. The B&W cinematography is typically gorgeous, and Ford never misses a beat in his calm, patient direction. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Genuine, Pure, and Real
Review: A true film masterpiece in every sense of the word! Henry Fonda, John Ford, this is what movies are all about! They don't make movies this good anymore. They just don't. "My Darling Clementine" is pure. It isn't fake and doesn't make the critical error of ever trying too hard. It doesn't have to fake a thing: the talent is there in droves!

This DVD is a fine piece of work, and about time too. A good sharp, clean picture, in a fullscreen 1.33:1 screen ratio. The sound is fine as well. There's a "pre-release version" on the "B side" of the disk as well, and a good film commentary track.

This film speaks for itself. It's a beautiful movie. One of the all-time greats. If you haven't, you need to see this movie, at least two or three times in your life. You won't regret it. John Ford was a natural. This is one of Henry Fonda's best roles as Wyatt Earp. I enjoyed it immensely and am proud to add it to my permanent DVD collention.

Rating:
Summary: A DVD for Ford Fans
Review: Although My Darling Clementine involves the story of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday and their gunfight with the Clantons at the O.K. Corral, John Ford's focus is at least as much on mood and relationships as it is on gunplay. He is less interested in retelling the historical events accurately, than in evoking the times in an emotionally involving way. Ford's film, as is shown by the title, is as much a love story as it is a story about a gunfight. The fictional relationship between Wyatt Earp and Clementine Carter is the real centre of the film. The gunfights and the action are exciting, but it is the developing love between these two which finally makes the film moving. Their relationship is subtle, tentative and unspoken. It is uncertain whether anything will come from it, but Ford leaves the viewer hoping. He turns what could have been a standard romance into something much more powerful.

The acting in My Darling Clementine is generally very good. Henry Fonda plays Wyatt in his quiet authoritative way using minimal gestures and facial expressions to show the character of the man. Cathy Downs as Clementine shows why Wyatt would prefer her to the more gaudy women of the saloons. Her understated performance matches Fonda's. Victor Mature is pretty good as Doc Holliday showing the character's smouldering temper. He even reads part of Hamlet's "To be or not to be" speech and reads it well. Mature was never a great actor, but he makes his character interesting and complex. Less good is Linda Darnell as dance hall girl Chihuahua. She seems out of her depth in this film. Finally Walter Brennan makes a good villain as Pa Clanton.

The Fox DVD is wonderful. It includes two cuts of the film, the release version and a preview version. This preview version runs about 10 minutes longer than the release version, which was edited by studio head Darryl Zanuck. A well-made documentary illustrates the differences between the two versions showing that the changes involved not merely deleting footage, but also adding music and most importantly slightly changing the ending. The Zanuck cut is still a very fine film, but it is great to have the opportunity to see an earlier version of the film which may be closer to John Ford's original vision. The picture quality of both versions of the film is very good, with only one or two signs of damage. The beautiful black and white photography is clear and sharp and often stunning, especially in the views of Monument Valley. The sound is likewise fine, with clear dialogue and hardly any hiss. In addition the DVD includes an informative and interesting commentary by Scott Eyman and Wyatt Earp III, a trailer and a gallery of stills. John Ford fans should be grateful to Fox for bringing out such a fine DVD of one of his very best films.

Rating:
Summary: superior
Review: Henry Ford starred as Wyatt Earp in MY DARLING CLEMENTINE, directed by John Ford. Set in or near scenic Monument Valley, this is one of the best-acted and best-directed westerns. Fonda's Wyatt Earp and Victor Mature's Doc Holliday stand out as exceptional performances.

Walter Brennan is excellent as the menacing Old Man Clanton.

Of course, the movie ends with the shootout at the OK Corral.

The story of the Earps, the Clantons, and Doc Holliday led to many other movies, but this great Western from the 1940's set the standard.