PamelaShort
If you are looking to read a synopsis for this film, you won't find one in this review, for many have already adequately done so. But I will say, I found Man of the West an extremely entertaining film to watch if you are a staunch fan of adult western genre as I am, and this film was not made for Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers type, I will also add that Man of the West was a triumphal exit from western films for director Anthony Mann. Dramatic and powerful gritty acts of violence played by ruthless characters, along with the balance of Gary Cooper's reformed outlaw character trying to keep himself and Julie London alive, brings forth some tense suspenseful moments. Man of the West achieves all that is expected from an above average western with some surprisingly risqué scenes for a 1958 film involving Julie London's character forced to strip for the brutish outlaw gang while Cooper looks on helplessly with a knife being held at his throat, as the clothes come off the blood begins to trickle down Cooper's neck. I give all the actors credit for their fine performances and the highest quality cinematography enhances this well paced story. Man of the West is a must see film for Gary Cooper and Julie London fans alike. Many will be surprised by the ruthless character Jack Lord plays with extremely realistic acting. This 1958 film still reaps plenty of exciting adult western entertainment.
Jackson Booth-Millard
From director Anthony Mann (Winchester '73, The Naked Spur, The Man from Laramie, El Cid), I only knew the leading actor in classic western High Noon, I wouldn't have known he starred in many others, this was another one in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die. Basically Link Jones (Gary Cooper) is a reformed outlaw travelling to Crosscut, Texas to hire a schoolteacher, conman Sam Beasley (Arthur O'Connell) briefly speaks to him, and this rouses the suspicions of the town marshal who thinks he looks familiar, and on the train Sam introduces him Crosscut saloon singer Billie Ellis (Julie London) who is keen to be a teacher. Thieves Coaley Tobin (Jack Lord), Trout (Royal Dano) and Ponch (Robert J. Wilke) attempt to rob the train, and Link is knocked unconscious trying to intervene, and after recovering and helping Sam and Billie he finds the thieves hiding out in a rundown house. Aging outlaw Dock Tobin (The Exorcist's Lee J. Cobb) comes in and is shocked to see his nephew Link, he abandoned him years ago allowing him to go straight, he says things have not been the same since he left, he is introduced to the roughnecks, including Coaley, his cousin. He realises he and his friends are in danger when Coaley kills the wounded and near death Alcutt (Jack Williams), he lies to his uncle to get away, but he wants him to remain with the gang to rob a bank in the town of Lassoo, he only agrees to protect Billie. There is a point when Billie is threatened to strip by Coaley, and Tobin takes his time to stop it, they are soon joined by another cousin, Claude Tobin (John Dehner), and set on the four day ride to Lassoo, on the journey Link and Coaley get into a brutal fistfight, Sam tries to intervene and is shot, after being humiliated by Link and attempting to kill him Coaley is shot by Tobin. Billie has affectionate feelings for Link, but back in his home town Good Hope he is already married with a child, he volunteers to lead the robbery, he is joined by mute Trout (Royal Dano) but the town turns to be a ghost town, so Link kills Trout, and in gun battle he kills Ponch and with regret also Claude. He returns to Billie and is shocked to find her raped and beaten, so he searches for Tobin who is above on the cliffs, after some taunting he does get shot and the bag of money is stole is taken back, with the day saved Billie says she will return to singing, while Link rides back to Good Hope to his family. Also starring Guy Wilkerson as Train Conductor, Chuck Roberson as Rifleman-Guard on Train, Frank Ferguson as Crosscut Marshal, Emory Parnell as Henry, Tina Menard as Juanita and Joe Dominguez as Mexican Man. Cooper gives a good performance full of gravitas and intensity, London is interesting as the leading female, and Cobb is chosen well as the villain, I will confess that I found the story difficult to follow at times, but there enough controversial moments, such as the rape scene, and of course the showdown style gun fight near the end is really engaging, so all in all it is a watchable western. Very good!
jordancelticsfan
For me, it's hard to believe this film doesn't have that great of a reputation. Gary Cooper is in full form here as Link Jones, a now harmless man with a haunting past. He goes on a train looking for a school to hire for the new school they have in his town. While on the train, he meets Billie Ellis, a beautiful school teacher, played by Julie London. The train is attempted robbed, and Link is reunited with his old gag, who is led by Dock Tobin, Links's old and psychotic mentor, played superbly by Lee J. Cobb. Link is unlike the sadistic gang at all now, he's a hero, and he tries to stop them from doing any more damage. This is a film of great chemistry between Cooper and London's characters, a film of enough action and romance to satisfy any western fan, and of course another great performance from Gary Cooper. You have to admire his character."That's the ugliest thing I ever saw in my life", says Cooper's character. "You've never seen my ex- wife", Arthur O'Connell's character responds. This is a classic western.
