The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

The second movie in my Essential James Stewart marathon is John Ford's The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance starring, along with Stewart, John Wayne, and Lee Marvin. US Senator Ransom Stoddard returns to Shinbone where he made his name as the man who shot notorious outlaw Liberty Valance and tells the truth about his past deed. The real reason for his return to Shinbone is to attend the funeral of his close friend Tom Doniphon who played a key role in Stoddard's successful life at the expense of his own reputation and well-being.

Stewart is very convincing as the bookish, somewhat clumsy, but principled young lawyer. Wayne is perfect as the town's gritty protector who is the only one who will stand up against Liberty Valance and his gang of thugs. It's a Western about the coming of civilization in the form of statehood to the US territories, of the educational demands of democracy, and of the forgotten heroes of that struggle.

John Ford's direction is impeccable. Every shot is memorable. His use of black and white and of shadow, the composition of his scenes, and the acting he gets from his stars are all remarkable.

Lee Marvin's turn as the vicious, black-hearted Liberty Valance is without apology or humor or room for sympathy. He is perfectly despicable.

Great supporting performances by Andy Devine as the town's cowardly sheriff and Edmond O'Brien as the newspaper editor and Vera Miles as the love interest round out the terrific cast.