1962
Directed by John Ford
This is one of my favorite westerns of all time and even though both Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne are getting a little too old for their roles, this is a perfect film.
Lee Marvin, in typical Lee Marvin jackass fashion, is Liberty Valance, an outlaw who is killed after a gunfight with Stoddard (Stewart). Stoddard must deal with the notoriety that comes with having killed a man and does his best to make it in politics and get the girl as well.
In the past, I have been hard on Wayne for his wooden performances but he actually is spectacular in this film as a character who is slowly losing everything but still has a good heart. And you don't get a better bad guy than Lee Marvin; he is easier to hate than all the Real Housewives put together!
A brilliant film and one that needs to be seen by everyone. Sorry for the short review but I have about five of these to crank out and I want to catch up on all my blogs today.
RATING: *****
Interesting Facts:
First time John Wayne calls someone pilgrim. Family guy anyone?
Filmed on a soundstage.
Was shot in black and white to hide Wayne's and Stewart's ages.
Trailer:
This is one of my favorite Westerns. Good review!
ReplyDeleteI was strangely disappointed. There was something very cliché about this movie and I just could not shake that feeling. I really wanted to like it though.
ReplyDeleteI kind of just accept cliches in my Westerns, but I could see why that would turn you off.
ReplyDelete