World Famous Comics: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Starring: James Stewart, John Wayne, Vera Miles, Lee Marvin, Edmond O'Brien Directed By: John Ford Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Format: Anamorphic, Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Paramount Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: June 05, 2001 Running Time: 123 minutes Theatrical Release Date: April 22, 1962
Product Description: A tenderfoot lawyer and a powerful rancher are rivals in lovet who stand together against a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 04/11/2006 Starring: James Stewart Vera Miles Run time: 123 minutes Rating: Nr Director: John Ford
Amazon.com essential video: "When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." That's more than the code of a newspaperman in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance; it's practically the operating credo of director John Ford, the most honored of American filmmakers. In this late film from a long career, Ford looks at the civilizing of an Old West town, Shinbone, through the sad memories of settlers looking back. In the town's wide-open youth, two-fisted Westerner John Wayne and tenderfoot newcomer James Stewart clash over a woman (Vera Miles) but ultimately unite against the notorious outlaw Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin). Ford's nostalgia for the past is tempered by his stark approach, unusual for the visual poet of Stagecoach and The Searchers. The two heavyweights, Wayne and Stewart, are good together, with Wayne the embodiment of rugged individualism and Stewart the idealistic prophet of the civilization that will eventually tame the Wild West. This may be the saddest Western ever made, closer to an elegy than an action movie, and as cleanly beautiful as its central symbol, the cactus rose. --Robert Horton
law and what? who is protecting whom? in this film seem as if every one has a hand at law ing?
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance Centennial Collection John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart together in one of the best westerns ever made. What more could you ask for?
one of Wayne and Stewart and Fords ALL TIME BEST! The Man who Shot Liberty Valance is always at the top of any list of the great westerns of all time and rightfully so. The story is for once truly unique and unique to the west, the sub plots are a plenty and the acting , casting (Lee Marvin is also brilliant) and cinematography (beautiful black and white) all combine for a one of a kind experience!
That said...THIS review is for the NEW 2009 Centennial Collection 2 DVD set. First let me say AMAZON.COM has it WRONG in their tech notes it IS widescreen but NOT 2:35 aspect ratio but much closer to 1:85 so if you think you've found the holy grail sorry, its the same ratio as before and the correct one as shot...oh and this PRINT is by far the best offered and for that reason alone this would be the version to buy. The second disc has a first rate batch of featurettes which really ad to the viewing pleasure and ones knowledge of film and this one in particular.
Bottom line, its a handsome package for a modest price. A fan of the film would be smart to make THIS version the one for their personal library. If you are curious and a fan of westerns or John Wayne or Jimmy Stewart and old enough to enjoy a well told story that doesn't involve gunplay every 5 minutes...give it a try. You may find that its a film you come back to year after year. Its told that this movie didn't really do much in its day and was dismissed by many in fact some of who in the critical world years later admitted that they missed it and its one of the all time classics! To my mind something in art,music or movies that gets better with time and more viewings is a definition of a classic!
what are ya waitin for pilgrim?!
Never Been One of My Favorite Westerns but.... I saw this film as a kid on a double-bill with Wayne's "Hatari" With trailers, cartoon and short subject, well over a 6 hour show. But I digress. It has never been one of my favorite westerns, I've always considered it to be rather a maudlin, depressing film. I bought this dvd in the hope that Peter Bogdonovich commentary would answer many of the questions I've had about the film such as why it was filmed in black and white and why Duke Wayne took the secondary role and second billing to James Stewart. These questions were answered although sometimes there were more than one answer. Regarding why the film was filmed in black and white, we are told that it was a combination of the old-age make-up at the beginning and end of the film, on Stewart and Vera Miles, looking better in black and white. We are also told that the depressing subject-matter worked better in black and white and Ford tells us himself in a very nice 7 part retrospective that he simply liked filming better in black and white than color. I had always heard that Paramount had no faith in the film and did not want to spend the extra money that color filming entailed. This never made sense to me: how could anyone not have faith in a film with both John Wayne and James Stewart at the top of their games? As for why Wayne took second billing and the secondary role, you'll have to hear for yourself. I enjoyed the Bogdonovich commentary on this and the recent release of "El Dorado," one of my favorite Wayne westerns. This DVD also includes little commentaries by Stewart, Ford and Lee Marvin, taken from Bogdonovich interviews. Like "El Dorado," this includes a nice retrospective, trailer and pictures of the complete lobby card sets. "The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance" is still not one of my favorite westerns, but I did enjoy watching this new DVD and learning more about the making of this legendary film.
The absolute definitive version to own of this classic John Ford Western! "THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" is considered one of the greatest Westerns of all time. Directed by longtime and legendary Western director John Ford, the film would bring together two of Hollywood's top film stars James Stewart and John Wayne.
Paramount has chosen for its latest "CENTENNIAL COLLECTION" releases to feature two westerns. #8 "THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" and #9 "EL DORADO". Both films featuring John Wayne and paired with a top actor but showing two directors known for their Westerns, John Ford and Harold Hawks.
"THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" would become one of the last Western films to be shot in B&W and in Dec. 2007, the film was selected by the United States Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry as part of the few films deemed as "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant".
"THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" is a film that features a well-written screenplay but most of all John Ford's experience of getting the best of his talent for this film. What happens in the final 15-minutes of the film is amazing and when you get to the final moments of the film, you literally are left in awe. Overall, a magnificent film!
VIDEO & AUDIO:
"THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" get the "CENTENNIAL COLLECTION" treatment from Paramount and that means the film gets the digitally remastered treatment. The picture quality on DVD is absolutely magnificent and video is presented in Widescreen (enhanced for 16:9 TV's). The black and white picture seems to look clean without any imperfections and like many "CENTENNIAL COLLECTIONS", the film definitely received fabulous treatment as blacks are nice and deep and for a 1966 film, no sign of that "aged" look of older films.
Audio is presented in Dolby Digital: English 5.1 Surround and English and Spanish Mono. The film is primarily a dialogue-driven film and aside from a few gunshots and a little action in the beginning and near the end of the film, this film is front and center channel driven. But dialogue is crystal clear.
With that being said, "THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE - CENTENNIAL COLLECTION" looks and sounds great due to the digitally remastered treatment it received. Because it has been restored, I can only hope for a High Definition 1080p treatment on Blu-ray because if Paramount went this far in making this film look so good (and include all these new features), a cinema fan can only wish for this classic to get the HD treatment (as of all the CENTENNIAL COLLECTION releases).
SPECIAL FEATURES:
"THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE - CENTENNIAL COLLECTION" is strong on features and informative interviews from John Bogdanovich's audio recordings with John Ford, James Stewart and Lee Marvin.
Disc 1:
* Commentary by Filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich, along with his archival recordings with John Ford and James Stewart - John Bogdanovich always has informative director commentary for his films but he also has a lot to say about Westerns since he had done interviews with John Ford and the talent (note: Bogdanovich offers commentary also on the Vol. 9 "EL DORADO - CENTENNIAL COLLECTION"). Bogdanovich has a lot of knowledge about the film and during the commentary, he would have his audio interviews with Ford and Stewart playing during the commentary. * Selected Scene Commentary by Dan Ford, along with his archival recordings with John Ford, James Stewart and Lee Marvin - The following scenes below have commentary that focuses on the experiences of Director John Ford but also James Stewart and Lee Marvin working on a John Ford film. The commentary is not about a certain scene but mostly experiences.
- Stagecoach Holdup - Bringing Injured Ransom Back to Town - Showdown at Peter's Place - Town Meeting - Ransom Shoots Liberty - Who Really Shot Liberty Valance - Leaving Shinbone
Disc 2:
* The Size of Legends, The Soul of Myth: 7 -Part Featurette - (50:52) An informative featurette about "THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" broken down to seven parts. Interviews with John Ford's son Dan Ford, Peter Bogdanovich (include audio from his interviews with John Ford, James Stewart and Lee Marvin), interviews with critics, former Paramount execs and more. Here is what to expect from this featurette:
- CHAPTER 1: CHANGING OF THE GUARD - (2:53) The change that was happening during the time with the late 60's and civil unrest. Hollywood was changing and people who worked in the silent era and the contract system was now ending. Television was taking away audiences and it was a blow to the industry. So, the directors and talent had to adjust to the new Hollywood.
- CHAPTER 2: THE IRASCIBLE POET - (4:41) "THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" was based on Dorothy M. Johnson's short story but John Ford executed things differently. In the book, Tom Doniphon (John Wayne) nudging and coaching Stoddard but in the film, Donophan's character is less proactive in helping Stoddard's character. How John Wayne's had a ten picture deal with Paramount and John Ford trying to get the financing for the film.
- CHAPTER 3: THE HERO DOESN'T WIN, THE WINNER ISN'T HEROIC - (10:39) "THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" was John Ford's last great film. How it was different from past Ford films. How a lot of the film was shot at MGM and how Ford's shots were economical. Why John Ford wanted to shoot in black and white. Focusing on the filmmaking and the characters of the film.
- CHAPTER 4: MOST THINGS HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT - (13:52) How Director John Ford would say the good things on screen would happen by accident. How John Wayne was fascinating to watch. And behind-the-scenes on how Ford dealt with people on set with interviews with Lee Marvin by Dan Ford (recorded in 1970). Also, how John Ford will pick on some of his actors and the biggest story that came from "THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" and with three days left, how John Wayne said to Jimmy Stewart how he never been under the barrel (picked on by Ford) but it was until Jimmy Stewart made a dumb, racist comment in regards to the outfit of Woody Strode (Pompey), that is when Ford got the whole film crew together and admonished Stewart in front of everyone for his comment. The actual audio interview from 1965 between John Bogdanovich and Jimmy Stewart about this incident is featured. The two respected each other despite the admonishing by Ford. Also, discussion about Vera Miles and how important she was to the film.
- CHAPTER 5: THE GREAT PROTECTOR - (5:17) Interview with Peter Bogdanovich of how there was no way to prepare an interview with John Ford. Featuring an interview in 1966 when John Ford doesn't like the questions from Peter Bogdanovich. Also, an interesting behind-the-scenes who John Ford, Jimmy Stewart, Lee Marvin and Woody Strode were military veterans and how John Ford would beat up on John Wayne because he could take it but more because these actors fought in wars while John Wayne got credit as a film actor. Reflecting on why John Wayne would let John Ford treat him this way but the respect John Wayne had for Ford.
- CHAPTER 6: SPOTLIGHT - LEE MARVIN - (8:02) How Lee Marvin and John Wayne worked together in one film and how John Wayne recommended him to John Ford. How Lee Marvin was excited to be part of a John Ford film. How Ford respected him because of his military experience. Audio interview from 1970 by Dan Ford with Lee Marvin about working with John Ford. A featurette celebrating the career of Lee Marvin.
- CHAPTER 7: PRINT THE LEGEND - (5:59) "THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" did not receive critical appreciation when it was released in theaters back in 1962 and thought about as passe and a tired Western. Bogdanovich talks about how he went to a screening and only four people showed up but over the years, it received critical support worldwide. Europeans appreciated John Ford and John Wayne films and eventually Americans started to appreciate the film around the mid-to-late 70's and became known as the last great Western by John Ford.
* Original Theatrical Trailer - (2:44) The original black and white theatrical trailer. * Galleries: - This still photo gallery features Lobby Cards, Production photos, John Ford photos and Publicity photos.
Included with "THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE - CENTENNIAL COLLECTION" is a short booklet with information on the film, providing a few tidbits of the talent, Director John Ford and more.
JUDGMENT CALL:
"THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" is truly an awesome John Ford film unlike many Westerns that focused on the gun battles and outlaw exchange. Although, "THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" does include some elements of the standard Western but in a way, it's more of a tragedy. Saying anything more than beyond that would spoil the film.
But with such a strong screenplay under the directing of John Ford, you get powerful performances from John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Lee Marvin and Vera Miles. Actually, there are a bunch of other talents with their own characters who also shine in this film that stick in your mind and how these characters contributed to making the town of Shinbone come alive.
I am absolutely delighted with Paramount giving this film the "CENTENNIAL COLLECTION" treatment. Not only do you get the film digitally remastered, the picture quality and the audio quality is very well done. Again, because it has been remastered with all new special features, one can hope this day and age to see such a film get the High Definition treatment on Blu-ray.
For those who are just becoming cinema fans and want to enjoy a Western and have never seen a John Wayne film, these two "CENTENNIAL COLLECTION" releases (vol. 9 - "EL DORADO") are just amazing. Paramount gives us two distinct styles of Western films from both legendary directors John Ford and the other with Harold Hawks and hopefully, will usher in a new generation of movie fans who can appreciate these classic Westerns.
There is nothing bad that can be said about this release. Paramount continues to give cinema fans definitive versions of these classic films through the "CENTENNIAL COLLECTION" and I just have to point out that for so long, especially with situations that have happened behind-the-scenes of "THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE", we only learn about these situations from what we have read.
It's absolutely wonderful that Peter Bogdanovich and Dan Ford has shared a lot of their audio recordings through the commentary and special features because with many of these great talent no longer with us, it was definitely special to have Jimmy Stewart and Lee Marvin and even John Ford discuss their experiences several years after the film was released in theaters. There have been a few books and publications that have featured the story of Jimmy Stewart's comment about Woody Strode's outfit and what John Ford had to say afterward. But it's very good to hear it come from Jimmy Stewart's mouth and hear his tone that he knew he said something dumb and regretted it.
The 7-part featurette "The Size of Legends, The Soul of Myth" is absolute magnificent and an amazing tribute to Ford's last great Western. But also a tribute to the talent who were involved in the film. So, very informative and enjoyable to watch.
I absolutely enjoyed this release and I really enjoyed the film. I watched it once and watched it again the following day with the various commentary and I'll be the first to tell you that I have not watched many John Wayne films, nor have I watched many John Ford films but after watching "THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE", it gave me an appreciation for the Western film genre and makes me want to go back and watch other classic Western films featuring the collaboration between the two. "THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE" is absolutely wonderful!
Overall, "THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE - CENTENNIAL COLLECTION" is highly recommended!
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