THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE

This is a cross between a Western and a political drama, with rather more talking than action.

The bulk of the story relates how an idealistic lawyer, Rance Stoddart (played by James Stewart) defeats Liberty Valance (a rather cartoonish character who Lee Marvin does his best to make menacing) who terrorises the town of Shinbone at the behest of local ranchers, and somewhat for his own perverted entertainment.

It is told in flashback by Stoddart, now a Senator, who is visiting Shinbone to pay his respects upon the death of Tom Doniphon (played by John Wayne).

In some ways Stewart’s role here has echoes of two roles from films released in 1939:  ‘Mr. Smith Goes To Washington’, in which he plays a naïve Senator, and ‘Destry Rides Again’, in which he plays a pacifist lawman.

The central conflict presented is between the idea that justice should be delivered through the rule of law (espoused by Stoddart) and the idea that it can only be achieved through violence (Doniphon’s view). 

Superficially it might seem that the former triumphs in that it is Stoddart who defeats Liberty Valance. Not only that, he gets to marry Hallie (played by Vera Miles), who at the start of the story seems destined to marry Doniphon.

But this victory is somewhat of a hollow one. Not only has Stoddart had to use violence to defeat Liberty Valance but we learn later that it was actually Doniphon who fired the fatal bullet.

There are also hints that Hallie somewhat regrets her choice of husband or maybe I am reading too much into her wistful expressions in the bookends to the main story.

The film is not without flaws, notably the interminable scene towards the end, showing how Stoddart is persuaded to stand for Senator, which contributes to an anticlimactic conclusion to the film.

On the plus side it is refreshing to see a different sort of bravery presented in a Western, that of a man of peace battling against ridicule at every turn.

This is also the film that gave us the famous line ‘when legend becomes fact, print the legend’.

And needless to say the director John Ford has fun with some comedic supporting characters.

Overall then, an unusual and entertaining film, but a minor John Ford Western nevertheless.

RATING: ✓ If You've Nothing Better To Do