Runtime: 100 minutes
Directed by: Anthony Mann
Starring: Gary Cooper, Julie London, Lee J. Cobb, Arthur O’Connell, Jack Lord
From: MGM
Discussion on a messageboard a few months ago + this movie leaving Prime at the end of the month meant it was overdue for me to check this out. The chatter elsewhere was positive; at the time I apologized for not being able to contribute but now I can. Getting to view more Gary Cooper and more Anthony Mann are never unwise ideas.
Cooper played Link Jones, a (former?) outlaw on his way to Fort Worth via train. He, singer Julie London and gambler Arthur O’Connell play an unlikely trio who flee to his old cabin after they were lucky to escape a train holdup. It’d be a crime to reveal much more except that he meets his old gang, headed by Lee J. Cobb. The presence of a nice cast is a huge asset; Cooper and Cobb were the highlights, a contrast between the former’s typical understated acting style and the OOT character the latter portrayed.
A mature, complex tale well-directed by Mann, in scenic settings (filmed in California) with a nice score and an interesting story that wasn’t all drama; when there’s action, it’s meaningful & well-done. The key note I have to share concerning the film: it is DARK. I don’t mean in terms of cinematography-that always looked great in Cinemascope. Rather, I am referring to the tone. Man of the West is stark; unless you are allergic to Westerns in that tenor, the movie is well worth checking out if you’re interested in the main principals.
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