- Maxwell Scott, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance In John Ford's most mournful tale, the legendary director asks the question "How did this present come to be? Just how did an inferior race of men whose only weapon was that of law and books defeat the old gunslingers of the great West?
Stoddard tells us how when he came to the town as young newly-graduated attorney at law he was bullied by a local tough outlaw named Liberty Valence (Lee Marvin), a gunman employed by the local cattle cartel directed to keep the town in line so that the barons could monopolize the local resources to insure their beef industry.
On his way his stagecoach is robbed by a sadistic bully named Valance (Lee Marvin). The lawyer is whipped n left to die. He is saved by Doniphon (Wayne), the only person in the town who can beat Valance.
On his way his stagecoach is robbed by a sadistic bully named Valance (Lee Marvin). The lawyer is whipped n left to die. He is saved by Doniphon (Wayne), the only person in the town who can beat Valance. The film is devoid of any good showdown n is a bit lengthy n preachy at times. The performances r top notch but the action was missing.