Review Wanted: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
06-05-01, 09:06 PM
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Cape Ann, Massachusetts
Posts: 10,928
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
As far as the movie, I would rank either this or The Searchers as the best Western ever. Although it's not as epic as the Searchers, I think maybe the characterization is a little stronger. At any rate I think they share similar themes---namely, that a lot of the men who made this country were kind of miserable SOBs with pretty shady morality (John Wayne)--and although the country may have benefited from some of their deeds, we tend to sweep them under the carpet and forget about them, because it's not such a pretty story. But on the other hand, I don't think director Ford is cynical about the idealism and high morality embodied in Jimmy Stewart's character---those traits are to be admired, and are necessary for civilization.
A very complex story that raises important questions about the nature of morality, justice, courage, cowardice----and doesn't offer any easy answers.
And aside from all that, it's just a very entertaining movie---John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart against Lee Marvin (and Lee Van Cleef)! I personally think that this is John Wayne's best performance. A classic American film.
A very complex story that raises important questions about the nature of morality, justice, courage, cowardice----and doesn't offer any easy answers.
And aside from all that, it's just a very entertaining movie---John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart against Lee Marvin (and Lee Van Cleef)! I personally think that this is John Wayne's best performance. A classic American film.
06-05-01, 10:40 PM
#4
I'm not a fan of John Ford or John Wayne, but I think this is a great movie. Unfortunately, I haven't seen it in so long that I don't have anything useful to say about it. I was very close to preordering & am sure I will pick it up at some point.
06-06-01, 08:46 PM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Watched it through today and Paramount did a great job. The transfer is excellent and despite the films age I noticed very few defects. The picture is dark and rich and doesn't look faded like many B&W movies can get. The restored mono soundtrack is excellent and has really been cleaned up by Paramount. There is also a DD 5.1 track, but its really nothing special on a film this old.
The movie itself is one of John Ford's best efforts. This is one of the best performances I have seen from John Wayne. I am not a John Wayne fan, but I liked him in this film. Jimmy Stewart does his usual great performance as the average American standing up for his rights. The film is about as well written as a western can be. I would put this film above the Searchers as John Ford's best.
It has no extras, but the film is worth the price all by itself.
The movie itself is one of John Ford's best efforts. This is one of the best performances I have seen from John Wayne. I am not a John Wayne fan, but I liked him in this film. Jimmy Stewart does his usual great performance as the average American standing up for his rights. The film is about as well written as a western can be. I would put this film above the Searchers as John Ford's best.
It has no extras, but the film is worth the price all by itself.
