Dave's Fiction Warehouse

In which I bloviate about books, TV, movies, politics and other stuff.

  • Books
  • Movies
  • TV
  • politics
  • Other Stuff
  • thatfuckingtrump

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Powered by Genesis

Peace through violence in ‘Liberty Valance’

May 10, 2011 by Dave Knadler

lee marvin

Lee Marvin as Liberty Valance.

I was 11 years old when I first saw The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and it’s been one of my favorite movies ever since. I consider it among the best westerns ever made — right up there with the Coen Brothers’ version of True Grit, or Sam Peckinpah’s The Wild Bunch.

I’m glad to see that A.O. Scott of the New York Times seems to agree. We are often in accord, A.O. and I. This morning he has a short video discussing the film, which is about an idealistic young lawyer who is forced to use violence to vanquish violence.

I’m pretty sure the video is meant to coincide with current events. Recently another relatively young lawyer was forced to choose violence over the rule of law. Finally, Barack Obama picked up a gun. As a result, Osama bin Laden will be making no more videos — and, we hope, inspiring no other loons to indiscriminate slaughter. Now we can print the legend, and maybe  get back to that rule-of-law business.

Of course, bin Laden is no Lee Marvin. As Liberty Valance, the man is a joy to watch. He’s a very evil dude and he loves his work. Unlike bin Laden, he doesn’t need to justify his deeds with incoherent philosophies. Robbery, bullying and murder are their own rewards. Jimmy Stewart’s trembling idealism is no match for such a man — a point clearly illustrated in the ultimate showdown. Even a litigious society like ours needs its John Waynes, and, these days, its U.S. Navy Seals.

For a John Ford movie, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance has a surprisingly minimalist look to it. It’s in black and white, and the studio sets can seem kind of cheap by today’s standards. What makes it stand out is the source material — a big shout-out to Dorothy Johnson, who used to live down the street from where I lived in Missoula — and Ford’s sure hand as a director.   I used to love the Gene Pitney theme song, too — that was back when every movie song had to have the movie’s title in the lyrics.

In the unlikely even that you haven’t seen this movie, Dave Bob hereby encourages you to check it out. If you have seen it, feel free to add a pithy comment below.

More along these lines:

  • Ode to the working woman
  • noomi rapace in prometheusSummer movies: One in 33 ain’t bad
  • the artist oscar nominationLimit the Oscar nominees to those I’ve seen
  • The kid carries the picture
  • It’s just one click. But nooooo….It’s just one click. But nooooo….

Filed Under: Movies

About Dave Knadler

Obscure writer. Lazy photographer. Bashful guitarist. Perhaps too fond of wine. Tireless nemesis of New York Times crosswords, Wordle, Semantle and all other puzzles du jour.

Recent posts

  • We don’t need no stinking followers
  • This could be
    the last time
  • Still life with dicks
  • Not throwing away
    my shot
  • February fugue

Recent comments

  • Paul Silverman on We don’t need no stinking followers
  • Dave Knadler on We don’t need no stinking followers
  • Dave Knadler on We don’t need no stinking followers
  • Dave Knadler on We don’t need no stinking followers
  • Dave Knadler on We don’t need no stinking followers

FInd something

send dave cash

The obligatory PayPal donation button. Go ahead: Make my day.