Henry Fonda shines in role of a gentle and idealistic portrayed Wyatt Earp. He gives this character a balance tone which is missing in ohter films concerning Wyatt Earp. What I enjoyed about the Performance of Henry Fonda are the subtle ways which Wyatt Earp is turned into a legendary presence. Henry Fonda like James Stewart brought out their roles with quiet and strong inner emotions where their feelings did all the talking. Some favorite moments from the legendary actor are the interactions with the brothers, and his dance with Clementine.
Being used to seeing Walter Brennan as a lovable eccentric in films with him, it was an interesting surprise to watch him play the main villain here. The character of Old Man Clanton as the head of his clan is vicious as well as wise. Role of Old Man Clanton is the only time I can think of where a person played by Walter Brennan is without any of the Brennan humor. The best performance given by Walter Brennan out of the many films he did. Twenty two years later, Henry Fonda took the same route for his role in Once Upon a Time in the West(1968).
Except for the climatic O.K. Corral gunfight, the story is mostly low key. Low Key approach may give story a slow moving feeling yet gives the viewer an opportunity to get to know some of the main characters. One low key moment is Wyatt and his brothers's discovery of a dead young brother which is juxaposed with rain to provide powerful emotions. John Ford was at his best when mixing low key emotions with high key composition. Another good low key sequence is the first meeting between Wyatt and Clementine.
Akira Kurosawa had an admiration for Westerns such as My Darling Clementine(1946) which were important influences to his filmmaking style. His samurai pictures especially of the 1950s were inspired more by Hollywood Westerns than samurai traditions. Its the quiet and tender aspects of My Darling Clementine(1946) which impressed Kurosawa the most. His samurai pics are timeless classics because of their ability to combine breathless action sequences with quiet scenes of human emotions. John Ford was a master at portraying many facets of humanity with expressionist imagery.
Earp Brothers are a close knit unit whose bond is stronger than gold chains. Tom Holt shows a low key presence as the young and equally idealistic Virgil Earp. John Ford regular, Ward Bond performs with his usual professionalism. There are hardly any accurate historical data the films gives about the Earp brothers yet its not a flaw that affects the film as a whole. Movie succeeds because of the Earp brothers Old West larger than life quality.
Story poses a complex friendship between Wyatt Earp and 'Doc' Holliday that is driven by respect. They have a love-hate friendship that is always borderline until the climatic gunfight. One reason why Wyatt and 'Doc' have a complex friendship are they both love the same woman. They are rivals for Clementine yet have deep admiration for one another. Their friendship is as legendary in films as the friendship between Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett.
Subplot in film involves feud between the Clantons and Earp mixing historical fact with romanticized fiction. The two clans in John Ford's film clash over issues like Cattle and property. Even if augument over cattle wasn't the main cause over the feud it could have been because of the fact that Cattle Wars were happening a lot in those days. I find it intriquing that feud was actually as a result of political alignations. Feud in real life was probably as long(if not longer) as(than) the fictional feud between Ogami Itto(Ogamis) and Yagyu Retsudo(Yagyus).
Gunfight at the O.K. Corrall is probably the most film and written about Wild West moment. Interestingly enough, My Darling Clementine(1946) takes a big story liberty with 'Doc' Holliday getting killed in gunfight. Its the only Earp/Holliday film adaptation where the latter is killed at O.K. Corrall. Since the gunfight began and ended in seconds there really wasn't anyone who could have seen the gunfight in its entirity. Still an example of people's fascination with the Old West and its legends.
Favorite John Ford conflict of Civilized West versu Wild West is played out with contrasting image of Wyatt Earp, the drifter and Wyatt Earp, the lawman. Triangular relationship involving 'Doc', Wyatt, and Clementine is played out in the manner of a 19th Century novel. The triangle was an important motif in 19th Century art, life, literature, and thinking. 'Doc' Holliday is a tragic hero who wants to die on his own terms. He is played eleqantly with low key anger by Victor Mature.
My Darling Clementine(1946) was one of many Westerns that Sergio Leone played homage to in his Western masterpiece, Once Upon a Time in the West(1968). The arrival of Clementine for example is reffered to in Once Upon a Time in the West with arrival of Mrs. McBain. Wyatt Earp is another drifter in the John Ford mode who is searching for meaning in the world. John Ford for the most part always put together brilliant direction and this film is no exception. Henry Fonda as with John Wayne was a talented actor whose strengths were brilliantly channelled by director, John Ford.
Being used to seeing Walter Brennan as a lovable eccentric in films with him, it was an interesting surprise to watch him play the main villain here. The character of Old Man Clanton as the head of his clan is vicious as well as wise. Role of Old Man Clanton is the only time I can think of where a person played by Walter Brennan is without any of the Brennan humor. The best performance given by Walter Brennan out of the many films he did. Twenty two years later, Henry Fonda took the same route for his role in Once Upon a Time in the West(1968).
Except for the climatic O.K. Corral gunfight, the story is mostly low key. Low Key approach may give story a slow moving feeling yet gives the viewer an opportunity to get to know some of the main characters. One low key moment is Wyatt and his brothers's discovery of a dead young brother which is juxaposed with rain to provide powerful emotions. John Ford was at his best when mixing low key emotions with high key composition. Another good low key sequence is the first meeting between Wyatt and Clementine.
Akira Kurosawa had an admiration for Westerns such as My Darling Clementine(1946) which were important influences to his filmmaking style. His samurai pictures especially of the 1950s were inspired more by Hollywood Westerns than samurai traditions. Its the quiet and tender aspects of My Darling Clementine(1946) which impressed Kurosawa the most. His samurai pics are timeless classics because of their ability to combine breathless action sequences with quiet scenes of human emotions. John Ford was a master at portraying many facets of humanity with expressionist imagery.
Earp Brothers are a close knit unit whose bond is stronger than gold chains. Tom Holt shows a low key presence as the young and equally idealistic Virgil Earp. John Ford regular, Ward Bond performs with his usual professionalism. There are hardly any accurate historical data the films gives about the Earp brothers yet its not a flaw that affects the film as a whole. Movie succeeds because of the Earp brothers Old West larger than life quality.
Story poses a complex friendship between Wyatt Earp and 'Doc' Holliday that is driven by respect. They have a love-hate friendship that is always borderline until the climatic gunfight. One reason why Wyatt and 'Doc' have a complex friendship are they both love the same woman. They are rivals for Clementine yet have deep admiration for one another. Their friendship is as legendary in films as the friendship between Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett.
Subplot in film involves feud between the Clantons and Earp mixing historical fact with romanticized fiction. The two clans in John Ford's film clash over issues like Cattle and property. Even if augument over cattle wasn't the main cause over the feud it could have been because of the fact that Cattle Wars were happening a lot in those days. I find it intriquing that feud was actually as a result of political alignations. Feud in real life was probably as long(if not longer) as(than) the fictional feud between Ogami Itto(Ogamis) and Yagyu Retsudo(Yagyus).
Gunfight at the O.K. Corrall is probably the most film and written about Wild West moment. Interestingly enough, My Darling Clementine(1946) takes a big story liberty with 'Doc' Holliday getting killed in gunfight. Its the only Earp/Holliday film adaptation where the latter is killed at O.K. Corrall. Since the gunfight began and ended in seconds there really wasn't anyone who could have seen the gunfight in its entirity. Still an example of people's fascination with the Old West and its legends.
Favorite John Ford conflict of Civilized West versu Wild West is played out with contrasting image of Wyatt Earp, the drifter and Wyatt Earp, the lawman. Triangular relationship involving 'Doc', Wyatt, and Clementine is played out in the manner of a 19th Century novel. The triangle was an important motif in 19th Century art, life, literature, and thinking. 'Doc' Holliday is a tragic hero who wants to die on his own terms. He is played eleqantly with low key anger by Victor Mature.
My Darling Clementine(1946) was one of many Westerns that Sergio Leone played homage to in his Western masterpiece, Once Upon a Time in the West(1968). The arrival of Clementine for example is reffered to in Once Upon a Time in the West with arrival of Mrs. McBain. Wyatt Earp is another drifter in the John Ford mode who is searching for meaning in the world. John Ford for the most part always put together brilliant direction and this film is no exception. Henry Fonda as with John Wayne was a talented actor whose strengths were brilliantly channelled by director, John Ford.