Review of The Man from Laramie (1955) by Steve R — 02 Dec 2008
Unlike, say, virtually any John Ford film, I'm not too sure that this Western has much interest in saying anything about the moment in American history it dramatizes. Given my distaste for the genre's frequently racist pontificating about manifest destiny and the like, however, I'm starting to suspect that the relatively modern sensibilities of Mann (and maybe also Boetticher and Fuller) resulted in the greatest Westerns of all time.
As a psychological melodrama about vengeance and the family, every moment is beautifully observed. Mann's depiction of violence, too, is as striking as anything in Peckinpah, and more elegantly crafted in the bargain.
Jimmy Stewart is great, although that goes without saying; I can't wait to watch the other four Westerns Mann and the actor made together.
This review of The Man from Laramie (1955) was written by Steve R on 02 Dec 2008.
The Man from Laramie has generally received positive reviews.
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