Review of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) by Jake G — 27 Nov 2009

Liberty Valence is a wonderfully complex and layered film. Unique among westerns for its claustrophobic style, extensive use of darkness and shadow, as well as the moral ambiguity of John Wayne's character, Valence shares as much in common with film-noir as with other westerns.

Wayne's portrayal of an old-fashioned cowboy succumbing to fear, uncertainty and self-destruction - instigated by his slow, methodically prolonged loss of influence over his town, and the loss of his beloved to a younger, more intelligent man from the East - is among the most powerful performances ever put to film. Many describe this film as portraying the death of the west by technology and progress, and Wayne's performance is certainly central to that symbolism. This is not only one of the best westerns, but hands down one of the best films ever made.