The greatest western movie ever - and that includes STAGECOACH and THE SEARCHERS. The script jettisons all the tiresome clichés of the genre and the black-and-white photography is haunting. Gary Cooper is terrific as Will Kane, the ultimate good-guy sheriff; he even manages to lend a Christ-like majesty to his role as a man left stranded by his friends to battle the forces of evil alone (after all, I don't think it's a coincidence that the theme song, "Do Not Forsake Me," almost echoes Jesus' lamentation on the cross). And of course it's extremely refreshing to watch an action movie where the villain - here a gunslinger named Frank Miller - neither goes over the top nor dominates the proceedings. This is Cooper's show all the way, and he comes through with flying colors. Great drama, thrilling suspense, and a happy ending to boot - what more could you want?
