EssenceStory Well Deserved Praise

SnoReptilePlenty Memorable, crazy movie

Beystiman It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Hattie I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

Wuchak RELEASED IN 1954 and directed by Anthony Mann, "The Far Country" stars Jimmy Stewart as a self-centered cattleman, Jeff Webster, who conflicts with a crooked, self-appointed lawman (John McIntire) while driving cattle through Skagway, Alaska, to Dawson during the 1896 Klondike gold rush. Ruth Roman plays a formidable woman he meets on the steamship, who unfortunately works for Gannon (McIntire). Walter Brennan plays Jeff's best friend while Corinne Calvet plays a tough foreign settler with romantic inclinations.This was the fourth of five Westerns Mann did with Stewart. These were uncompromisingly harsh, psychological Westerns featuring themes of revenge, obsession, rage and redemption. They were spectacularly shot on location, rather than in the studio, providing a backdrop of authentic rugged beauty. This one was shot in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, with one episode involving Athabasca Glacier.The opening sequence on the steamship is memorable for the way Jeff (Stewart) escapes ship authorities with the assistance of Ruth Roman's character. Roman is stalwart, stunning and surprisingly vivacious (for her role as a woman in the rough NW wilderness). Gannon (McIntire) is an interesting antagonist due to the way he joyfully basks in his power and overt corruption.THE MOVIE RUNS 97 minutes. WRITER: Borden Chase. ADDITIONAL CAST: Jay C. Flippen, Harry Morgan and Jack Elam.GRADE: B

Robert D. Ruplenas This is sure not going to be on my list of my top 10 favorite westerns, but it has a lot going for it and it's a lot of fun to watch. It's a wonderful old-fashioned western done the way Hollywood used to do them. It has a great cast with so many of the wonderful character actors and actresses from the old days - Walter Brennan, John McIntyre, Jay Flippen, Connie Gilchrist, and others. As has been mentioned by other viewers the cinematography of the mountain vistas is spectacular, especially in the old, expensive, and therefore defunct Technicolor process. It's almost worth watching on that basis alone. The story line is interesting and keeps the viewer engaged with quite a few plot turns. My minor criticisms are in casting Jimmy Stewart as a "dark," cynical and self-interested character. Stewart is lodged too deeply in the hearts of the public as a nice guy to be able to play it that way. Another problem is the weak resolution. I remember having enjoyed watching the flick but damned if I can remember how it ended. However, that's not a big deal as the ride to the end was a lot of fun.

AaronCapenBanner Jimmy Stewart plays Jeff Webster, a loner and bachelor who, along with his sidekick/business partner Ben Tatum(played by Walter Brennan) takes a herd of cattle by ship from Wyoming to Seattle. He encounters crooked lawman named Gannon(played by John McIntire) but still proceeds through with his route to the Klondike region, where he hopes to sell his beef for a sizable profit, though, when he does arrive, decides to prospect for gold himself. The nearby town of Dawson has an increasing amount of lawlessness, which doesn't bother Jeff until it hits him personally...Disappointing western can't measure up to either of the previous films with director Anthony Mann and star Jimmy Stewart. Result is a predictable and routine film of little interest, though everyone involved does try at least, and film isn't bad, but is unmemorable.

doug-balch This was a surprisingly strong movie, much better than Winchester '73 and The Man From Laramie, two other Mann/Stewart Westerns I have reviewed.Here's what I liked:The basic plot is convincing and credible. There are no apparent plot holes, unlike "The Man From Laramie", which was a mess.The Alaskan gold rush theme was interesting and different.A tremendous effort was made to film on location in the Canadian high country. The results are highly successful.Jim Stewart is fantastic as a Western hero. He's great here, especially since his character has a seamy side almost on a par with Ethan Edwards of "The Searchers". I really enjoyed this character.The supporting acting is excellent. This might be one of John McIntyre's best roles. He's plays an excellent charismatic heavy. McIntyre had great range as an actor. He was equally comfortable and effective playing a grandfatherly authority figure ("Westward the Women") or a wily scout ("Apache").This is one of Walter Brennan's better efforts, because he pulls off the comic sidekick buddy without being overly annoying ie "Red River", "Rio Bravo". In most Westerns the romantic interest is almost gratuitous. In the "Far Country" two female characters are fully developed. Ruth Roman's character is strong, charismatic and complex. The young French girl doubles as romantic interest and comic relief, which is very interesting and unusual.The story moves along at a brisk clip and maintains its interest throughout. This is helped by numerous changes in locations, all of which are used to show off the great scenery.There are several surprising plot developments. In one, Webster and his buddies double back and re-steal the cattle from McIntyre. The other is when Webster and Tatum get shot up. I was not expecting that.This is the first movie where I've seen Anthony Mann even attempt comic relief. He doesn't do a bad job, but it's clearly not something he was comfortable with or every good at.Here are some of the negatives:The 1898 Alaskan gold rush is really stretching the bounds of the Western genre. Throwing in the cattle drive helped, but there was an opportunity wasted here to introduce some substantial Indian characters. This would have bolstered the movie's "Westernness" substantially.The ending was too predictable and too abrupt.McIntrye, the heavy, could have used a more charismatic henchman. What about that guy with the scarred up face? Killed him off too soon if you ask me.That's it for negatives! I really dug this movie!!!!