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"The Gun That Won the West", that's how this rifle was marketed, probably because of its use in the US expansion during the 19th Century. Not only that, but special versions of the rifle were prepared in limited quantities and sold at a higher price. These included special barrels and finishes, and were labeled as "One of One Thousand" to stimulate and motivate potential buyers. One of these special guns is the one that anchors the plot of this popular western.
Set shortly after "Custer's Last Stand", Winchester '73 follows Lin McAdam (James Stewart), a cowboy that's determined to find a man called Dutch Henry Brown (Stephen McNally) for unspecified reasons. Finding him in Dodge City, Kansas, but unable to fight him at the moment, they both enter a competition to win one of the coveted titular rifles. The possession of it becomes the driving force of the plot, as the rifle passes through different owners as the film progresses.
American gun culture and the admiration/obsession for a specific weapon are, to put it mildly, complicated subjects nowadays, but they are decidedly at the core of this film. Certainly times were different, and you pretty much had to have a gun back then... but the improper use of it becomes a sort of moral barometer of the characters.
Even Lin's best friend warns him about the path he's going down... "Hunting for food, that's alright. Hunting a man to kill him? You're beginning to like it." And at the center of every shooting and every death that occurs, there is the gun.
There are interesting little stories in every pit stop that the gun gets. From Native American leader Young Bull (Rock Hudson) to meek fiancé Steve Miller (Charles Drake) or outlaw Waco Johnnie Dean (Dan Duryea). In almost every one of them, there are tinges that make you want a bit more from each. Duryea, in particular, gives a really good performance, but I really enjoyed John McIntire as sly gun trader Joe Lamont, who proves to be a worthy rival to Brown early on the film, all in his effort to win the gun.
Unfortunately, the ending pushes away a lot of the moral dilemmas that the film hints at, in favor of traditional shoot-outs. Also, the romantic relationship between Stewart and Shelly Winters seems unnecessary, but I guess it was a "requirement" back then. Still, Mann's direction is pretty good, and most of the performances are great. It is always good to see Stewart play a morally conflicted character; one that's not necessarily trying to shoot rabbits, and might be beginning to like it.
Grade:
WINCHESTER '73
(1950, Mann)
A film from the 1950s
(1950, Mann)
A film from the 1950s
"To cowman, outlaw, peace officer or soldier, the Winchester '73 was a treasured possession. An Indian would sell his soul to own one."
"The Gun That Won the West", that's how this rifle was marketed, probably because of its use in the US expansion during the 19th Century. Not only that, but special versions of the rifle were prepared in limited quantities and sold at a higher price. These included special barrels and finishes, and were labeled as "One of One Thousand" to stimulate and motivate potential buyers. One of these special guns is the one that anchors the plot of this popular western.
Set shortly after "Custer's Last Stand", Winchester '73 follows Lin McAdam (James Stewart), a cowboy that's determined to find a man called Dutch Henry Brown (Stephen McNally) for unspecified reasons. Finding him in Dodge City, Kansas, but unable to fight him at the moment, they both enter a competition to win one of the coveted titular rifles. The possession of it becomes the driving force of the plot, as the rifle passes through different owners as the film progresses.
American gun culture and the admiration/obsession for a specific weapon are, to put it mildly, complicated subjects nowadays, but they are decidedly at the core of this film. Certainly times were different, and you pretty much had to have a gun back then... but the improper use of it becomes a sort of moral barometer of the characters.
Dutch Henry Brown: "That's too much gun for a man to have just for... shootin' rabbits"
Lin McAdam: "Or for shootin' men in the back."
Lin McAdam: "Or for shootin' men in the back."
There are interesting little stories in every pit stop that the gun gets. From Native American leader Young Bull (Rock Hudson) to meek fiancé Steve Miller (Charles Drake) or outlaw Waco Johnnie Dean (Dan Duryea). In almost every one of them, there are tinges that make you want a bit more from each. Duryea, in particular, gives a really good performance, but I really enjoyed John McIntire as sly gun trader Joe Lamont, who proves to be a worthy rival to Brown early on the film, all in his effort to win the gun.
Unfortunately, the ending pushes away a lot of the moral dilemmas that the film hints at, in favor of traditional shoot-outs. Also, the romantic relationship between Stewart and Shelly Winters seems unnecessary, but I guess it was a "requirement" back then. Still, Mann's direction is pretty good, and most of the performances are great. It is always good to see Stewart play a morally conflicted character; one that's not necessarily trying to shoot rabbits, and might be beginning to like it.
Grade: