A senator returns to a western town for the funeral of an old friend and tells the story of his origins.A senator returns to a western town for the funeral of an old friend and tells the story of his origins.A senator returns to a western town for the funeral of an old friend and tells the story of his origins.
- Director
- Writers
- James Warner Bellah(screenplay)
- Willis Goldbeck(screenplay)
- Dorothy M. Johnson(based on the story by)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- James Warner Bellah(screenplay)
- Willis Goldbeck(screenplay)
- Dorothy M. Johnson(based on the story by)
- Stars
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 4 wins & 4 nominations total
Videos4
- Director
- Writers
- James Warner Bellah(screenplay)
- Willis Goldbeck(screenplay)
- Dorothy M. Johnson(based on the story by)
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
- All cast & crew
Storyline
When Senator Ransom Stoddard returns home to Shinbone for the funeral of Tom Doniphon, he recounts to a local newspaper editor the story behind it all. He had come to town many years before, a lawyer by profession. The stage was robbed on its way in by the local ruffian, Liberty Valance, and Stoddard has nothing to his name left save a few law books. He gets a job in the kitchen at the Ericson's restaurant and there meets his future wife, Hallie. The territory is vying for Statehood and Stoddard is selected as a representative over Valance, who continues terrorizing the town. When he destroys the local newspaper office and attacks the editor, Stoddard calls him out, though the conclusion is not quite as straightforward as legend would have it. —garykmcd
- Taglines
- Two Great Stars Appear Together For the First Time!
- Genres
- Certificate
- Approved
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaO.Z. Whitehead, playing a teenager, was actually 50 years old.
- GoofsWhen teaching his students, Ransom asks what the supreme law of the land is. When a pupil (Pompey) gives the correct answer of the Constitution, he incorrectly tells him the right answer is the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration is a statement of principles and a justification for the colonies' rebellion, but certainly not law in any way.
- Quotes
Ransom Stoddard: You're not going to use the story, Mr. Scott?
Maxwell Scott: No, sir. This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.
- ConnectionsEdited from Tales of Wells Fargo (1957)
- SoundtracksMain Theme
(The Dew Is On the Blossom) (1939) (uncredited)
from Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)
Music by Alfred Newman
Top review
The tallest cast in the West?
I've never really explored the western genre, and plucked this one from the IMDb top 250.
It's a cracking film that I really enjoyed, and one which I now understand why people debate so much.
What struck me though, was how tall the leads are! I'm used to seeing Stewart towering over everybody, but putting him with an astonishingly good Marvin (6' 3") and of course the towering Duke (6' 4 1/2") must make this the tallest cast ever until the Green Mile came along!
I've seen more than one person say that Stewart was twenty years too old for this role. I don't agree, and thought he was fairly convincing in this. There's also nothing to say how old his character was on arriving in Shinbone.
It's a cracking film that I really enjoyed, and one which I now understand why people debate so much.
What struck me though, was how tall the leads are! I'm used to seeing Stewart towering over everybody, but putting him with an astonishingly good Marvin (6' 3") and of course the towering Duke (6' 4 1/2") must make this the tallest cast ever until the Green Mile came along!
I've seen more than one person say that Stewart was twenty years too old for this role. I don't agree, and thought he was fairly convincing in this. There's also nothing to say how old his character was on arriving in Shinbone.
helpful•2725
- unclepete
- Sep 12, 2004
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Covek koji je ubio Liberti Valansa
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $3,200,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 3 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) officially released in India in English?
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