"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" is a sparse, clean morality tale. The great vistas practically invented by John Ford are gone. There are no backdrops , no Monument Valleys, no Indians. In short, it is a western directed by John Ford that is NOT a John Ford Western! Go figure!
John Wayne plays the most difficult role here. He is a hero who pretends not to be a hero . A man who gives all the credit for a deed he has done to Ransom Stoddard, played by James Stewart. Tom Doniphon (John Wayne's character) hates Stoddard yet he does what he does because he knows it is best for his girl and the West, even if it tears him up inside and leaves him a forgotten man.
James Stewart is excellent as the traditional hero. He is Ransom Stoddard, a lawyer from the East who is determined to bring justice to the West without gunfire. The irony is that he only succeeds after gun play is attributed to him. He becomes a success for being good with a gun at a very important time even though he did not do what he was credited for. His victory is hollow and his success is without satisfaction.
Lee Marvin was super in this film as the baddest bad guy in the West. The rest of the supporting cast was top-notch. Go see this film. If you already have, see it again right now!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???
John Wayne plays the most difficult role here. He is a hero who pretends not to be a hero . A man who gives all the credit for a deed he has done to Ransom Stoddard, played by James Stewart. Tom Doniphon (John Wayne's character) hates Stoddard yet he does what he does because he knows it is best for his girl and the West, even if it tears him up inside and leaves him a forgotten man.
James Stewart is excellent as the traditional hero. He is Ransom Stoddard, a lawyer from the East who is determined to bring justice to the West without gunfire. The irony is that he only succeeds after gun play is attributed to him. He becomes a success for being good with a gun at a very important time even though he did not do what he was credited for. His victory is hollow and his success is without satisfaction.
Lee Marvin was super in this film as the baddest bad guy in the West. The rest of the supporting cast was top-notch. Go see this film. If you already have, see it again right now!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???