Winchester '73 (1950)

The journey of a prized rifle from one ill-fated owner to another parallels a cowboy's search for a murderous fugitive.

Director:

Anthony Mann

Writers:

Robert L. Richards (screenplay), Borden Chase (screenplay),

Stars:

James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Stewart	...	Lin McAdam
Shelley Winters	...	Lola Manners
Dan Duryea	...	Waco Johnny Dean
Stephen McNally	...	Dutch Henry Brown
Millard Mitchell	...	High Spade
Charles Drake	...	Steve Miller
John McIntire	...	Joe Lamont
Will Geer	...	Wyatt Earp
Jay C. Flippen	...	Sgt. Wilkes
Rock Hudson	...	Young Bull
John Alexander	...	Jack Riker
Steve Brodie	...	Wesley
James Millican	...	Wheeler
Abner Biberman	...	Latigo Means
Tony Curtis	...	Doan (as Anthony Curtis)

Storyline

In a marksmanship contest, Lin McAdam wins a prized Winchester rifle, which is immediately stolen by the runner-up, Dutch Henry Brown. This "story of a rifle" then follows McAdams' pursuit, and the rifle as it changes hands, until a final showdown and shoot-out on a rocky mountain precipice.

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Plot Keywords:

rifle | winchester rifle | prize | search | shooting | 

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 July 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Montana Winchester

Filming Locations:

Mescal, Arizona, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

James Stewart has credited this film with saving and redefining his career after a series of postwar flops threatened to seriously damage it.

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Goofs

During the gunfight in the rocks at the end, gunshots clearly ricochet on the rocks many times in places not even accessible from Dutch's position atop the rocks.

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Quotes

High-Spade Frankie Wilson: You're about ready to fall out of the saddle. Why don't we rest up a little?
Lin McAdam: I'm not that tired.
High-Spade Frankie Wilson: Four or five hours ain't gonna make any difference. We have been chasin' since... since I can't remember.

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Connections

Featured in Great Performances: James Stewart: A Wonderful Life (1987)

User Reviews

Like the rifle it's named after, "One in a Thousand"

For the viewer who comes upon it long after its making, "Winchester '73" has something in common with "Casablanca." While you watch it, you get this feeling that you're looking at a string of clichés encountered so often in the genre; then you realise that the clichés became clichés only after being copied from this particular film, and that they were so widely copied because this film was so great. In other words, it's a seminal work.

"Winchester '73" is a joy to watch. The broad lines of the plot are somewhat predictable, but mostly because you've seen them copied so many times in later movies, and nevertheless it still contains a number of twists which surprise you. The dialogue, the pacing and Mann's direction are excellent. Stewart shines in particular, and if you're a fan this is a "must-see," but he is not alone in delivering a good performance. Remarkably, many of the most thoughtful and/or witty lines go to minor characters. Because this makes these characters (much) more than cardboard cutouts, it lent additional realism to the film.

This is a remarkably underrated film, and well worth keeping an eye out for. The DVD also contains an interview with Stewart which provides some background on the film.