The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

A Story of Myth and Transformation

The film is about idealistic East Coast attorney Ransom “Rance” Stoddard (James Stewart), who is savagely attacked by notorious outlaw Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin) while traveling by stagecoach. Surviving after being left for dead, Stoddard is taken to the dry and dusty town of Shinbone by a local rancher, Tom Doniphon (John Wayne). Horrified by what he finds of lawlessness, Stoddard resolves to bring reform not by violence but by the law.

But then there is Shinbone, a town where only one kind of justice exists: at the barrel of a gun. As Rance indoctrinates the locals to the alphabet and to democracy, however, he soon discovers that ideals are best served with a dash of force. When Liberty Valance’s reign of violence jeopardizes the future of the town, Stoddard is forced to choose between compromising his ideals and achieving actual reform.

The Passing of an Era

John Ford’s picture is more than a conventional “good vs. evil” Western. It is an introspective exploration of the end of the Old West and the troubled birth of the new world. Tom Doniphon embodies the ancient code of individualism and strength, and Rance Stoddard embodies the new code of law and government. But at a very personal cost.

One of the best-known lines from the movie, “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend,” captures its main theme. Some societies are occasionally more comfortable with pleasant myths than uncomfortable truths. For the people of Shinbone, the myth of who really shot Liberty Valance gains greater power than reality, not only influencing individual fates but also that of the country.

Strong Acting and Direction

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is distinguished by performances of great power everywhere. James Stewart acutely conveys the idealism and conflict within Rance, and John Wayne gives one of his deepest performances as the rough and finally poignant Tom Doniphon. Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance is brutally chilling, and Vera Miles is outstanding as Hallie, the gal torn between two very dissimilar men and two very dissimilar destinies.

Ford’s use of stark black and white to shoot the picture, instead of the lush Technicolor of his previous Westerns such as The Searchers, imbues the story with a sense of melancholy and realism. Forget sweeping landscapes: Ford dwells on cramped interior spaces, emphasizing psychological drama above visual display. Here, the decline of the old ways is resonant.

Legacy and Replay Value

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance endures, continuing to please both critics and audiences. It is more than a shoot ’em up and a tale of frontier justice, however. It is a story of the cost of progress and the poignantly bitter truths behind it. Its multi-layered story, solid performances, and philosophical nuance represent a film that benefits from loads of replay value. There are new facets to its characters and themes to discover upon every viewing.

Why You Must See The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

A lover of cinema classics, Westerns, or American history, you are going to simply have to view The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Because of Amazon Prime Video, you can now enjoy this iconic film in all its stark, dramatic glory from the comfort of your home. See a stunning story of courage, sacrifice, and how legends are forged — a tale that continues to deeply resonate today. Watch The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance on Amazon Prime now and explore why it continues to be one of America’s best films ever.