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Poster for Man of the West

Man of the West

Seen it?

1958 | 100 min | Western

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

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

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for most people. 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 1 hr 40 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1958: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Heading east to Fort Worth to hire a schoolteacher for his frontier town home, Link Jones is stranded with singer Billie Ellis and gambler Sam Beasley when their train is held up. For shelter, Jones leads them to his nearby former home, where he was brought up an outlaw. Finding the gang still living in the shack, Jones pretends to be ready to return to a life crime.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    95% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.6 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $2 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 34K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Anthony Mann

  • Gary CooperLink Jones
  • Julie LondonBillie Ellis
  • Lee J. CobbDock Tobin
  • Arthur O'ConnellSam Beasley
  • Jack LordCoaley
  • John DehnerClaude Tobin
  • Royal DanoTrout
  • Robert J. WilkePonch
  • Joe DominguezMexican Man (uncredited)
  • Dick ElliottWillie (uncredited)