Curiously the beautiful title song by Gene Pitney, "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," is not heard on the soundtrack of the film of same name, though it was written & recorded for release simultaneously with the film:

"Cuz the point of a gun was the only law that Liberty understood
When it came to shootin' straight & fast, he was mighty good."

It is one of the rare cases of a film & a theme song so perfect that it's just odd not to have them together.

Jimmy Stewart plays a pacifistic naif from back east, an attorney who believes intellect is what will tame the west.

Lee Marvin is malevolent Liberty Valance who knows one well-placed bullet always defeats intellect.

John Wayne plays a decent cowpoke with a liking for the idea of a civilized west, but too much pragmatism to second Stewart's brand of naivite.

The fate of these three men come together with incredible balance, Stewart foolishly brave but untrue to his values, Marvin villainous without relent, Wayne with greater ironic depth than in any of his films until The Shootist (1976).


On one level The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) is merely an exciting western about a grimy town & an incredible showdown.

The west is changing & eventually civilization will win -- maybe -- but in the meantime, in the town of Shinbone, violence takes a stand for its own sake, proving there is no recourse apart from the gun.

There is a great deal of sensitivity in a script that embraces a savage morality. There is such perfection in the performances that this is most assuredly a western that can be admired even by viewers who're not fans of westerns.

Vera Miles as the leading lady/love interest, like every other element of this film, transcends the ordinary. Great supporting roles from an array of remarkable character-actors include Lee Van Cleef, Andy Devine, Denver Pyle, John Carradine, Woody Strode, Strother Martin, Jeanette Nolan & Edmond O'Brien.

Could such superb faces be drawn together today in Barbie & Ken Hollywood? Maybe. But who's attempting it?

copyright © by Paghat the Ratgirl