I'm not a huge fan of westerns, but the info on this from IMDb drew me
to watch it when it showed up on American Movie Classics, and I was
richly rewarded. This is truly a beautifully done film, and makes one
understand John Ford's reputation in this genre. The understated Henry
Fonda and the volcanic Victor Mature somehow work well against each
other. The script is low-key and naturalistic, allowing the action to
stand out. The cinematography is spectacular, both in the wide open
panoramas and in the more intimate personal scenes. Interior lighting,
in particular, is very skillfully used. Seeing Walter Brennan playing
against type, makes one appreciate how much better an actor he was than
in the amiable, doddering bumpkin roles he got so typecast in later on.
To use an overworked term, a classic.
To use an overworked term, a classic.