Movies - The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

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	Movies - The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a classic Western movie made in 1962, starring James Stewart, John Wayne and Lee Marvin, and directed by John Ford.

Plot

Ransom Stoddard (James Stewart) is an attorney who believes in law and order, but refuses to carry a gun. His friend, Tom Doniphon (John Wayne) is a gunslinger, who believes there is no law and one "needs a gun in these parts." When the outlaw Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin) comes to town, Stoddard finds the only way to settle differences with Valance is through violence when he is challenged to a shootout. Stoddard is completely unskilled with a gun and no match for the infamous gunfighter Valance. But in what seems like a miraculous shot, Valance is killed in the duel. Stoddard is immediately dubbed the man who shot Liberty Valance, and has to deal with the reputation as he tries to build a political career and civilize the west.

Themes

The movie explores the "odd couple" relationship between Stoddard and Doniphon, and how the question of Liberty Valance is settled. It also discusses the "civilization" of the West, in its struggle between its outlaw past and the civilizing effects of the law, the government, and women. The tale is told through flashback, emphasizing the difference between the "civilized' version of the town and the frontier version of the town.

Reception

The film was an instant hit when released in April of 1962, thanks to its classic story and popular stars John Wayne and James Stewart. At the 1963 Academy Awards, the film was nominated for Best Costume Design for Edith Head, one of the few westerns to ever be nominated for the award. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance has continued its popularity through repeated television broadcasts and the rental market. It is also widely considered, along with The Searchers and My Darling Clementine
, to be one of director John Ford's best Westerns.

Billing

James Stewart was given top billing over John Wayne in the movie's posters and the previews (trailers) shown in theatres and on television prior to the film's release, but in the film itself, however, Wayne is given top billing over Stewart. Their names are displayed on pictures of signposts, one after the other, with Wayne's name shown first with his sign mounted slightly higher on its post than Stewart's.

Cast

John Wayne as Tom Doniphon
James Stewart as Ransom Stoddard
Vera Miles as Hallie Stoddard
Lee Marvin as Liberty Valance
Edmond O'Brien as Dutton Peabody
Andy Devine as Marshal Link Appleyard
Ken Murray as Doc Willoughby
John Carradine as Maj. Cassius Starbuckle
Jeanette Nolan as Nora Ericson
John Qualen as Peter Ericson
Woody Strode as Pompey
Denver Pyle as Amos Carruthers

Quotes

Maxwell Scott: "This is the west, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance ]

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