The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Dir: John Ford
1962
*****
Everyone has their favorite Western and everyone has their favorite Western actor. Stars, John Wayne and James Steward are probably the best loved in the genre but who is favorite? It's a very close call, so when John Ford got both actors to star in his 1962 film The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance it proved to be very successful indeed. Personally, it's James Steward for me every time but seeing both actors act together still seems like a treat to me. Throw in the likes of Lee Marvin and Edmond O'Brien and you've got a recipe for success. The story, essentially one long flashback is as about as 'Western' as it gets. Fighting, shooting, competing for the love of one girl, sacrifice, dignity and honour. Gritty, gripping and with an intelligent message that puts it above many of the others in it's genre.