Quicknation    Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The

Images of: Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, TheG Y AOL AV MSN Desc of: Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The IMDb  Y! DVD: DVD

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

table

Ransom Stoddard (James StewartMan Who Shot Liberty Valance is an attorney who believes in law and order, but refuses to carry a gun. His friend, Tom Doniphon (John WayneMan Who Shot Liberty Valance 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.

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.

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. has continued its popularity through repeated television broadcasts and the rental market. It is also widely considered, along with is the source of the "Pilgrim" phrase that is commonly used in John Wayne impersonations; Wayne's character addresses James Stewart's character as 'Pilgrim' several times in the film.