Winchester '73

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	Anthony Mann
Starring:	James Stewart, Shelley Winters
Release date:	06 May, 2003
List price:	~~$14.98~~
Our price:	$11.80 that is 21% off!

Winchester '73

Average rating: Stars

A classic western with a great story and fine performances

This classic Western from 1950 is yet another proof of how much we miss having an actor like Jimmy Stewart around. He can play the good guy while keeping him dangerous, a bit mysterious, and who can be both tender and ferocious an instant apart. In this movie his is Lin McAdam who travels with his friend High-Spade Frankie Wilson in pursuit of a really bad guy named Dutch Henry Brown. Early in the movie they compete in a shooting contest in Wyatt Earp's (Will Geer) town. They are competing for a gleaming new Winchester rifle, which represents the epitome of personal weaponry in 1873.

Much of the plot follows the ownership of that rifle as it passes through many hands until it finally gets back to its rightful owner at the end. This is interwoven with the pursuit of Dutch Brown by Lin McAdam and the adventures they have along the way.

It is a fine classic Western with shootouts, fistfights, a woman of ill repute (Shelly Winters) who has a heart of gold and is ill treated by nearly every man in the movie. The bad guys do their character acting well and impart an edge and memorable quirks to their performances. Most memorable is Dan Duryea's portrayal of the dangerous Waco Johnnie Dean. There is one peculiar scene of law enforcement, though, when the good guys burn down the house of an innocent settler to drive the bad guys out. Isn't that a bit much?

Even though it is in black and white it is so compelling that my twelve year old son was walking by and was instantly captivated by the movie. Westerns still have that magic for every generation when done right. This one is done very right.

Winchester '73 - James Stewart, Shelley Winters

Winchester '73

For some of us WINCHESTER '73 is THE Western. (Um, okay, some of us are given to hyperbole and prone to exaggerate for effect. So what if I have a half-dozen or so THE Westerns? It's a big genre with more than its share of classic movies. Let me put it this way - whatever mountain we're talking about, WINCHESTER '73 is going to be one of the tall peaks at the summit.)

This movie marks the first teaming of actor Jimmy Stewart with director Anthony Mann. WINCHESTER '73 has been credited by some with revitalizing the western genre. It was released in 1950, and is often cited as one of the first `adult' westerns. It's also probably the first major western to feature a psychologically driven, complex and vulnerable lead character. Stewart's Lin McAdam, along with trail pardner High-Spade Frankie Wilson (Millard Mitchell) has been tracking Dutch Henry Brown (Stephen McNally) for some time now, and finally, as the movie opens, Lin catches up with him in Dodge City. Unfortunately for Lin but good for the movie, Dodge City marshal Wyatt Earp (Will Geer) doesn't allow shooting irons in his town - you can pick them up in the jail when you leave. Lin and Dutch Henry can't do much more than growl and glower at each other, pausing only long enough to compete for the one-in-a-thousand Winchester '73. Lin wins the competition, loses the gun shortly after, and Dutch Henry high-tails it out of there with purloined rifle in tow. It's not the first time the rifle will change hands. (N.B. - It's not explained until the end why Lin McAdam is chasing Dutch Henry Brown, or why his desire for vengeance is so all consuming. I've watched WINCHESTER '73 many times over the years, so the surprise ending hasn't been a surprise for a long time, but if you're able to avoid learning more than you need to about the Lin-Dutch Henry connection you're better off. You'll likely figure it out for yourself before the movie reveals it to you.)

The then young and fetching Shelly Winters plays Lola Manners, a dance hall `entertainer' who we first meet when Marshal Earp is escorting her to the outbound stagecoach. Apparently, side arms weren't the only thing Earp didn't want going off in his peaceful little burg. Like the wandering Winchester, Lin will cross paths with Lola a time or three before they roll the closing credits. Veteran character actor Dan Duryea, here in prime slime mode, plays the outlaw Waco Johnnie Dean. When Duryea is on like he is here you could add the `Wacko' nick to the front of his character's name. With interesting, layered secondary characters like Lola Manners and Waco Johnnie Dean, WINCHESTER '73 opened up westerns to more complex themes and characterizations. You could argue that without Lin McAdam we'd never have had Clint Eastwood's Man With No Name characters. Even without its historical significance, though, it remains a great action story with a stellar cast. Included in the cast, in minor speaking parts, is Tony Curtis as a young horse soldier and Rock Hudson as Indian chief Young Bull (okay, WINCHESTER '73 didn't make wholesale changes. Native American roles were still, by in large, played by white actors.)

The best feature on this disk is the commentary track, which features Paul Lindenschmidt speaking with and interviewing Jimmy Stewart for a laser disk release in 1989. It's the only time Stewart ever contributed to a commentary track, and he's filled with anecdotes about the making of the movie, working with Anthony Mann, and his relationship with his beloved horse, Pie. I would have recommended WINCHESTER '73 as an essential classic even without the commentary track. The commentary track, and the excellent print, are just a couple of layers of platinum on a golden movie.

James Stewart, Shelley Winters - Winchester '73

Great Movie!

This is one movie for any collection even if you are not into westerns. It is an oldie and goodie. Full of stars--Jimmy Stewart, Shelly Winters, Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis (a cameo by this young actor--not even mentioned in the credits), Dan Duryea, and, a personal favorite, Millard Mitchell (see all his movies under his name).

The movie centers around a limited edition Winchester rifle, and the story begins with a contest to see who will win this rare and beautiful gun. From there it chronicles the "travels" of the gun as it makes it's way through a series of "owners", some crooked, some evil and some who can't make up their minds just what they are. Coincidently, the gun eventually finds itself in the hands of Stewart's bitter enemy. The adventures, if you will, of the gun lead to a finality that is not totally unexpected, but nevertheless, surprising.

It is an interesting cowboy and Indian film (not politically correct by today's standards), reflecting the values of the era (1950) it was made in. It is complete with the cavalry, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, shootouts, references to the recently ended Civil War, and Custer and Little Big Horn. It touches, at least in passing, some of the favorite western folk lore familiar to most.

All in all, it is an entertaining film with glimpses of many stars in their earlier years. I am not particularily a western fan, but this is certainly an exception. Some have complained of the DVD quality, but I didn't find that to be any big detraction. Geez--it's over 50 years old--besides it's the only game in town!

Give it a look!