Scotch
22Apr12
Although, I feel like John Wayne's character fits snugly into the typical Western hero: lone wolf, seems to know everything but says nothing, is incredibly racist, and then wanders off into the sunset. haha.
Wall
Displaying wall posts 1 - 30 of 54 in total
Matt Burgess
21May12
Well made, sweeping Hollywood western (albeit blandly conservative in its ideas and worldview) that's enlivened by delirious moments of bizarre melodrama. John Wayne is hilariously OTT, screaming every line at his fellow cast members ala Bea Arthur's rendition of "Don't Rain On My Parade'
David Huxley
1Apr12
Unlike the hero of most films, this one (in a brilliant performance by John Wayne) is deeply flawed. And unlike most films, there is no moment of redemption, but there is an epiphany (when Ethan takes Debbie in his arms.) We may not like Ethan at the end, but we surely understand him, as he is a reminder of the faults that lie in the all-too-human heart, and the vastness of Monumental Valley becomes intimately real.
Daniel S.
4Mar12
Waiting and searching. No matter how long is the search as long as you come back home at the right time. The Fordian hero can't miss the appointment the mythical West has made for him. John Wayne and Jeffrey Hunter just have to come back the day of Hunter's bride wedding takes place. After a 5 year journey. Amazing. Masterpiece.
Hugo Resendiz Saldivar
4Feb12
Este western cambio la imagen que tenia en la mente de John Wayne, su construcción es muy buena, a pesar que es la clásica lucha entre cowboys e indios, la trama que generalmente predomina en los westerns sobre la colonización de tierras salvajes, logra desviar la atención a la sociedad de finales de la guerra de secesión. Me gustaron los bookends.
Christopher A. Cook
2Feb12
This film film has some beautiful visuals, but I was surprised how much of it was very flat shots, still there was plenty of story and character to drive the piece. I never saw myself as a John Wayne fan but I really liked him here. Just the outright hatred and racism of the character makes it fascinating to watch. He doesn't deserve to go inside at the end, he has to keep searching for why he still caries that hate.
David Huxley likes this
Jess Genevieve Brown
12Oct11
I had written a paper on this in my 2nd year of film studies and many of its scenes were still quite vivid in my mind. A great Western, especially recommended for those who have yet to taste the works of John Ford and/or John Wayne.
Heikan
12Oct11
The main difference between Leone and Ford is the landscape they choose to portray. Ford chose to fill the screen with the beautiful Monumental Valley, Leone's choice was the ugly, sweaty faces of his actors. From this choice, both auteurs expressed their vision about America. The problem with Ford is that he is so mesmerized by it's beauty that he fails to capture the grit and blood that stains American history.
Sudipto Basu
18Aug11
Is it an incredibly racist film or a critique of racism? Possibly both. At any rate, this joins Heart of Darkness (the novel) as a work whose moral codes are troubling and yet moving.
Tom Barnard
6Jul11
One of the great obsessive quests. It goes without saying, but the cinematography is glorious. Some goofy sequences and characters confuse the tone, but John Wayne makes himself too interesting to properly notice them.
Th MZA
12Jun11
Starts & ends in the home, makes clear that JW belongs nowhere near home. He's a dick in this, but views of the film vested in unliking/liking JW & all he reps will miss a bigger picture. My wife noticed that his dickery's not from not giving a fuck, but from insecurity, i.e., not the attractive kind. It will occur to moderns that JW, useless w/o a quest, has no choice but to invent a landscape wherein he's useful.
K. G. Courtright
19May11
I readily admit its imperfections, but the sumptuous cinematography, immaculate direction, and John Wayne's potent performance woo me every time.
msmichel
1May11
Sorry, but on my list for one of the most over=rated films ever. As with most of Ford's films a fair amount of hokum and cliche. Overbaked to say the least. Always amazed at the open racism and veiled as well within his films. Ford and Wayne were made for each other; take that any way you like. Not a bad film by any stretch just not the all american classic so many seem to think. Give me the wild bunch anyday.
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David Huxley
8Jun11
The racism of the character is not that of the filmmaker's, and many of those characters, especially Ethan Edwards, are rarely triumphant and are often destroyed by their racism. One could say Peckinpah's treatment of Mexicans in "The Wild Bunch" is just as racist. (I wouldn't.)
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Sheik Yerbouti
7Apr11
This is reportedly Martin Scorsese's favorite film, and he apparently watches it once or twice every year. As an extra on the blu ray he discusses why this film has influenced so many great directors including not only himself but also Spielberg, Lucas, Kurosawa, and others.
Sandra O
1Apr11
I have a theory about this film that's controversial. When Ethan rides up the canyon after the four horses, he finds Lucy alive, but "injured," and kills her. Ethan's "mercy killing" may be because she's physically injured or because she has been raped; of course, this is related to Ethan's racism.
DADA WEATHERMAN and Greg S. like this
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T.J. Royal
9Aug11
"Once Upon A Time In The West" is better. More engaging storyline, more engaging characters and a better re-watch.
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Harry Rossi
10Aug11
Guess we disagree about that. I pretty much disagree about everything you wrote... but thats cool.
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dotdotcommadot
24Jan11
I don't see what the fuzz is all about.. Sure, it was made 10 years before once upon a time in the west, but it seems a bit outdated to me. John wayne's acting is great, but almost all of the others are pretty poor. Anyway, I've seen better.
comeandsee
21Dec10
a great entry in ford's canon. the peak of his romantic journey with the american western which sees him present a cynical and jaded view of the west, based on his own disillusionment with america based on the obsessive witchunts of 'reds under the bed'. a great use of widescreen, john waynes best performance and one of the great examples of cinematography.
WhatsUpWill
10Aug10
Cinematic perfection. I dare you to find a more grandeur film about America. Absolutely astonishing.
Platform_Magazine
9Aug10
Ethan's love for Martha drives the picture's entire narrative and is never once mentioned. I think that's fascinating. This for me is still the cinema's most accomplished cinematography masterpiece. Look at that still. Breathtaking.
Sean Keeley
5Aug10
For all of its grandeur and beauty and the theme of racism, this is a decidedly imperfect film. The romantic subplot and broad humor knock this down several notches for me. I think The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a better Western, and there are several other Ford films I rank above this one.