A senator returns to a Western town for the funeral of an old friend and tells the story of his origins.A senator returns to a Western town for the funeral of an old friend and tells the story of his origins.A senator returns to a Western town for the funeral of an old friend and tells the story of his origins.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 4 wins & 3 nominations total
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJohn Wayne suggested Lee Marvin for the role of Valance after working with him in The Comancheros (1961).
- GoofsWhen teaching his students, Ransom asks what the supreme law of the land is. When a pupil (Pompey) gives the correct answer of the Constitution, he incorrectly tells him the right answer is the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration is a statement of principles and a justification for the colonies' rebellion, but certainly not law in any way.
- Quotes
Ransom Stoddard: You're not going to use the story, Mr. Scott?
Maxwell Scott: No, sir. This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.
- ConnectionsEdited from Tales of Wells Fargo (1957)
- SoundtracksMain Theme
(The Dew Is On the Blossom) (1939) (uncredited)
from Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)
Music by Alfred Newman
Featured review
The passing of the old ways
Other reviewers, aside from seeing this as the end of the classic western, saw the plot as myth granting to one man that which was rightfully another's. I disagree. I see TMWSLV as a tale of a man stepping aside for the sake of a better man and a better world, at great personal cost.
I view Tom as someone who has lived a cynical life--kill it before it kills you. With the advent of Ransom he recognizes that there is a better way, and that Ransom, by defying evil from a position of weakness, is far braver than Tom, who has merely defied evil from a position of strength. Additionally, Ransom brings about an answer to the question "must the sword rule forever?" with a resounding "no," a denial that at first seems foolish to Tom, but who then realizes that things really should be Ransom's way.
And so Tom, knowing that one of them is the better man, allows that better man to receive the fame attendant to heroism; and in fact Ransom, for daring what Tom never did dare, is the true hero of the tale. Like all honest men must, Tom steps aside for the better man, knowing what it will cost him to do what is right.
An earlier reviewer said that the depiction of the politics was a parody; in fact, the politics of the early portion of the republics was even more lively (read: pugnacious) than is depicted in the film.
I view Tom as someone who has lived a cynical life--kill it before it kills you. With the advent of Ransom he recognizes that there is a better way, and that Ransom, by defying evil from a position of weakness, is far braver than Tom, who has merely defied evil from a position of strength. Additionally, Ransom brings about an answer to the question "must the sword rule forever?" with a resounding "no," a denial that at first seems foolish to Tom, but who then realizes that things really should be Ransom's way.
And so Tom, knowing that one of them is the better man, allows that better man to receive the fame attendant to heroism; and in fact Ransom, for daring what Tom never did dare, is the true hero of the tale. Like all honest men must, Tom steps aside for the better man, knowing what it will cost him to do what is right.
An earlier reviewer said that the depiction of the politics was a parody; in fact, the politics of the early portion of the republics was even more lively (read: pugnacious) than is depicted in the film.
helpful•16345
- evilsnack
- Aug 30, 2004
- How long is The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Covek koji je ubio Liberti Valansa
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $3,200,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 3 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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By what name was The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) officially released in India in English?
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