Jimmy Stewart was one of the more versatile leading men of his era. Light comedy, heavy drama, Westerns, biographies. You name it, he could do it. But that didn't mean that his characters were always very likable. Sure, there were the George Bailey types and the Ransom Stoddard types. But sometimes Stewart played the not so nice guys -- the antiheroes. Personally, I don't like that Stewart so much...and that's what he is here in "The Far Country". Maybe Stewart had to do it since, in reality, he was apparently such a nice guy, so he needed to sometimes fight against the kind of character that represented who he actually was. The only reason to root for Stewart's character here is because he's better than the really bad guys. Nevertheless, he lets people down -- or wants to -- over and over.
The big star here is the gorgeous scenery from Banff to Jasper in the Canadian Rockies. Unfortunately, the film has not been restored,, and it's not half as beautiful in the film as if the Technicolor were refreshed.
The wonderful Walter Brennan is here as sidekick...at least he lives through most of the film. Ruth Roman is good as a saloon owner who is torn between the real bad guy (John McIntire and Jimmy Stewart). Corinne Calvet...why? She was more at place with Martin & Lewis. John McIntire is superb as the bad guy; a much underrated character actor. Jay C. Flippen is also here.
Of course, just before the end of the film, Jimmy Stewart's character has a change of heart. And becomes the hero. Sell, too late for me to emphasize with the character; too many bodies washed under the bridge. So, no, I don't admire this Jimmy Stewart film...at least in terms of Jimmy Stewart's character.
For me, thumbs down. A rare decision for me when it comes to a Jimmy Stewart film.
The big star here is the gorgeous scenery from Banff to Jasper in the Canadian Rockies. Unfortunately, the film has not been restored,, and it's not half as beautiful in the film as if the Technicolor were refreshed.
The wonderful Walter Brennan is here as sidekick...at least he lives through most of the film. Ruth Roman is good as a saloon owner who is torn between the real bad guy (John McIntire and Jimmy Stewart). Corinne Calvet...why? She was more at place with Martin & Lewis. John McIntire is superb as the bad guy; a much underrated character actor. Jay C. Flippen is also here.
Of course, just before the end of the film, Jimmy Stewart's character has a change of heart. And becomes the hero. Sell, too late for me to emphasize with the character; too many bodies washed under the bridge. So, no, I don't admire this Jimmy Stewart film...at least in terms of Jimmy Stewart's character.
For me, thumbs down. A rare decision for me when it comes to a Jimmy Stewart film.