#the man who shot liberty valance
SUBLIME CINEMA #604 - THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE
One of John Ford’s most thoughtful films. Ford was an obstinate interview subject, who almost completely refused to answer questions about his work - although in a way, his work has completely spoken for itself. His films helped to define the western genre, and were often about moral gray areas his stalwart characters (Wayne in particular) waded through.
John Wayne complained later in his career that he had been typecast as the quiet muscle - ‘nothing to sink his teeth into’, save a few films - the Searchers and True Grit, where he finally won an Academy Award. But his quiet muscle - a blank slate for audiences to project onto - serves a purpose, especially in this film.
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