My Darling Clementine [DVD] [1946] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Probably the best movie of this director: a true celebration of the legend of the American west. The movie tells the classic story of the gunfight at the OK Corral with sheriff Wyatt Earp: while it isn't historically realistic, it outshines ALL later attempt to do a more accurate version of the story. The reason is simple: Ford always said that "the legend is more interesting than the truth". Of course it's a Hollywood movie, and it's not a revisionist Peckimpah western, but it has interesting characters (even the lesser one such as the barman are believable and add some human touches), a solid plot, a great screenplay (don't miss the Shakespearean actor who wants to perform in a saloon!!!) and an EXTRAORDINARY B&W cinematography.

The FOX cassette version is very good!

I never tire of watching this classic. The characters are so clearcut and one feels some empathy with all of them even the villains who are a product of a hard country and ignorance. The roughness and cruelty of the wild west is all there. Unusually even the romance angle, which usually ruins most westerns is treated in a simple, unsophisticated manner. The scene with Doc Holliday and the travelling actor leaves one terribly moved and as the story surges towards its inevitably tragic conclusion you know that no one is going to end up happy but this is the way it has to be. Ford never made a better western.

Henry Fonda (Wyatt Earp) and his 3 brothers are driving cattle towards Mexico when his youngest brother Don Garner (James) is murdered and the cattle stolen. As a result of this action, Fonda takes the role of Marshall in the town of Tombstone. Here he meets with Victor Mature (Doc Holliday), a hard-man drifter with a reputation as a killer, and 2 women from the Doc's life - Linda Darnell (Chihuahua), a prostitute from the town's saloon bar and Cathy Downs (Clementine) who is a girl from a good background and a good town. Walter Brennan (Old Man Clanton) is also on the scene with his 4 sons. The film climaxes with the famous gunfight at the OK Corral.

What a shame that this film twists the facts. There are several inaccuracies, eg, the fate of Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp's brothers aren't in the right order, the fate of James Earpp, Old Man Clanton was dead before the gunfight....the list goes on. As a slice of history, I find it disrespectful to those involved and to the audience watching. So, this film is to be watched as a piece of fiction.

As a piece of fiction, it's a good story and it's acted by a good cast, although the film does drag in the middle section. Henry Fonda and Walter Brennan steal the acting honours. Fonda plays the part with a few comedic moments that work and serve to increase your liking of the main character, eg, the scene where he rides into town and wants a shave. Cathy Downs is a bit of a drip - I have no idea why the film is called what it is other than to get the song in. The music is good during the film, but a main criticism will have to be the actual gunfight. There is a bit of tension built up before the gunfight but as for the event - blink and you'll miss it! It's an ok film and I'll be keeping onto it to watch again but I would have preferred to have seen an accurate account.