The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance Review
By Christopher Null
A classic John Ford film (and one of the last black and white westerns to be made), Wayne and Stewart make a great Odd Couple in the podunk town of Shinbone. Unfortunately, the middle of the film sags under the overly patriotic history lessons we are given when Stewart takes it upon himself to teach the locals how to read and write. The ensuing fight for statehood isn't much better, except when Valance comes a-knockin'.
It's a classic if you love westerns, it's a pretty good time if you don't -- as this is the movie where John Wayne became known for his "pilgrim" patter.
Facts and Figures
Year: 1962
Run time: 123 mins
In Theaters: Sunday 22nd April 1962
Box Office Worldwide: $8M
Budget: $3.2M
Distributed by: Paramount Home Video
Production compaines: Paramount Pictures, John Ford Productions
Reviews
Contactmusic.com: 3.5 / 5
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Fresh: 38 Rotten: 3
IMDB: 8.1 / 10
Cast & Crew
Director: John Ford
Producer: John Ford, Willis Goldbeck
Screenwriter: James Warner Bellah, Willis Goldbeck
Starring: 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, Willis Bouchey as Jason Tully - Conductor, Carleton Young as Maxwell Scott, Woody Strode as Pompey, Denver Pyle as Amos Carruthers, Strother Martin as Floyd, Lee Van Cleef as Reese
Also starring: John Ford, Willis Goldbeck, James Warner Bellah
