For 20 years, the Western was what the superhero film represents to us today: the dominant Hollywood genre. Two actors embody the golden age of cowboy legends like few others. When they first appeared in front of the camera together, the Western was already in decline. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance was released in 1962 and combined John Wayne and James Stewart into one thoughtful examination of the creation of myths in the borderland. John Ford also gained an excellent villain for his masterpiece.
That’s what the Western is about, which enjoys a more than good reputation
The USA at the beginning of the 20th century: The respected US Senator Ransom Stoddard (James Stewart) travels from the capital with his wife Hallie (Vera Miles) to attend the funeral of the former gunslinger Tom Doniphon (John Wayne). small town in the west.
The connection between the two men lies in an unsolved mystery behind an important legend: Who actually has the small pioneer town of Shinbone freed from the threats of the violent desperado Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin)? In flashbacks we learn what really happened 25 years ago.
Paramount
The man who shot Liberty Valance
Lee Marvin (Point Blank) plays the ruthless villain Liberty Valance, who terrorizes the town of Shinbone. He is the personification of chaos and violence in an area where “civilization”, i.e. the formation of states, has not yet been completed.
Jimmy Stewart’s lawyer Ransom Stoddard embodies the countermovement: law and order that reaches the West from distant Washington DC. He’s no weakling, but he’s mercilessly inferior to the gunslinger villain Valance. There is something in between John Wayne’s old-fashioned western hero, who solves his problems on his own. In the paragraph tab he sees a new era approaching. Because in a world with a reliable legal system, states and elected representatives, people like Liberty Valance and Tom Doniphon no longer have a place.
The Western is one of the best films ever
John Ford has dabbled in myth-making in several other Western films, including The Black Hawk, starring Wayne in arguably his greatest role. “Liberty Valance” sets its epic landscape shots High-contrast black and white images in a small town setting in contrast to. Other Westerns thrive on travel movements, but in this film we delve into borderland society and observe how political ideals of representation and freedom of the press take root in a community that is only one foot part of the United States.
That sounds pretty dry at first. In the hands of John Ford and his ensemble brimming with acting legends, this results in a profound exploration of heroism, whose fate touches the heart. John Wayne’s Tom in particular hides a deeply tragic, lovable soul under his cowboy hat that you almost want to protect – even if he tries to knock you out. would hit. It’s no coincidence that The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance appears relevant best lists including the list of the best films of all time by the renowned Sight and Sound magazine.
Catch up on The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance on TV and in the stream
The western classic airs tonight, Saturday, January 27th 00:30 in the BR.
Since not everyone is glued to the screen at this time, the streaming alternative is a good option. There is no TV repeat, but The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is also part of the Sky/WOW catalog.