 |
This is another great John Wayne film. It is good for the family as well as for the traditional western fans. This movie has a strong cast for it's day and is a great example of the early messege movies, good vs. evil, law vs. indavidual justice. While Jimmy Stewart brings home a strong performance as the new generation emerging into the old west, bringing book and education to combat law breakers and ignorance, the Duke still deals out justice the old western style, a .44 and a steady gaze. If you don't have this film I recommend that you get it. The older style western will take you back to when it was not a bad thing to believe that some times it is a hard caracter that keeps evil from over-running the land till enough time passes and what we call civilization comes along. It is interesting that even when lawyers and politicians raised up by the people to represent them are in full bloom it is still the rough and ready, "don't tread on me" people that make their jobs and style of law possible. In another sense this film points out that justice stops when the law prevails and all of the power and honor that people have to protect themselves with finality is channeled into an elected official that still has to use people of force to bring the bad guys to them subdued so that, "law" can have it's turn at them with no absolutes leading to justice, just the elusion of the ever changing concept of social order through law.Read full review
This is an excellent old movie told in the third person by an aging politician about events leading up to the advent of statehood in the old West. The story is being told to reporters in 1910. He and his wife Hallie are in town for the funeral of an old friend, Tom Doniphen. Tom is just one of those old names that have faded into obscurity over the years. The story began more than twenty-five years before when a young greenhorn lawyer, Ransom Stoddard (Jimmy Stewart), arrived in the dusty little western town of Shinbone. A violent gunman, Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin) and his gang had the whole territory in its clutches. Ransom Stoddard tried to bring law and order to the area and ran afoul of Valance. A local cowboy Tom Doniphon (John Wayne)is in love with Hallie, but knows of her fondness for Stoddard, and he protects him. Eventually a showdown between Liberty Valance and Ransom Stoddard happens. Stoddard doesn't have a chance, but he is brave and he faces Valance. Tom (Wayne) shoots Valance to protect Stoddard. Stoddard truly believes that he shot Valance, and when the vote now favors statehood, he is urged to run for governor. He is reluctant to run on a history of violence and was about to decline, when Tom Doniphon tells him the truth about Valence. Stoddard and Hallie are married and his political career blooms. Now, years later as a powerful Senator, he is back for the funeral of this "nobody", Tom Doniphon, who was so instrumental in the history of the territory, and then just faded into the woodwork. Here to say good-bye to a true friend and hero. This was an excellent movie and one of the finest westerns ever.Read full review
Loved this movie! Law-abiding Stewart is willing to face up to killer Lee Marvin (Liberty Valance) - but knowing he'll be killed, John Wayne secretly kills him, allowing both Stewart and the town to believe Stewart accomplished this. Excellent way to begin the story by bringing in the characters in the beginning for the funeral of their old friend (Wayne) - and within minutes the audience is transported back in time to the story that unfolds. The "legend" in the town is that Stewart (now old and a senator) once killed Liberty Valance - the meanest, ruthless man in town. Once the "real" story is revealed to the town's newspaper editor for the story he's certain he's just got to have, he makes a dynamic statement about leaving a legend "a legend" (leaving the senator's dignity intact and the legend living on). Some things are just best left unspoken.Read full review
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a movie classic. James Stewart and John Wayne are an iconic duo. A gem from an era gone by! When it comes to westerns this is at the top of the list.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
It doesn't get any better than John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart both in one great movie ! It came in excellent condition as well,I was hesitant to buy used,but was very pleased.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
