Liberty

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

Director John Ford brings together stars John Wayne and James Stewart for the first time on screen. An ageing Senator recants the tale of his arrival as a young lawyer in a small town in the territories.

Like many of the great westerns this film is about the end of the west and the way it has been mythologised in American cinema/history. The battle between lawlessness and civilization is literally played out on the screen between Stewart and Marvin in particular. There is also one hint at the problem of race relations when a bar man attempts to deny Woody Strode's character entry to the bar.

Aside from the big name stars it is also worth watching for the menacing performance from Lee Marvin, Edmond O'Brien as a drunk paper editor and Lee Van Cleef lurking in the back ground. As always with John Ford the direction is good with the black and white lending itself well to the shadows of the final show down.

5/5 one of Ford's best.