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Poster for The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Seen it?

1962 | 123 min | Western

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes), people are still talking about it and audiences rate it highly (7.8 out of 10). Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for most people. If you loved High Noon or Open Range, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Easygoing.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 2 hr 3 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
  • Made in 1962: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Questions arise when Senator Stoddard attends the funeral of a local man named Tom Doniphon in a small Western town. Flashing back, we learn Doniphon saved Stoddard, then a lawyer, when he was roughed up by a crew of outlaws terrorizing the town, led by Liberty Valance. As the territory's safety hung in the balance, Doniphon and Stoddard, two of the only people standing up to him, proved to be very important, but different, foes to Valance.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 94 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesStrong

    7.8 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    Nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $8 million worldwide on a $3 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactVery strong

    About 253K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by John Ford

  • John WayneTom Doniphon
  • James StewartRansom Stoddard
  • Vera MilesHallie Stoddard
  • Lee MarvinLiberty Valance
  • Edmond O'BrienDutton Peabody
  • Andy DevineLink Appleyard
  • Ken MurrayDoc Willoughby
  • John CarradineCassius Starbuckle
  • Jeanette NolanNora Ericson
  • John QualenPeter Ericson