Such a frustrating disappointment

Sick Product of a Sick System

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Captivating movie !

I hated The Far Country. I saw it because I thought it would be interesting to see a Western that didn't take place in the American Southwest. The main problem with the movie is James Stewart's character. He's completely unlikable because he's a ruthless killer and he's too cynical. Before the beginning of the movie, he kills some of the men he was driving cattle with. I think it was because they wanted to go back to where they started with the cattle but, still, killing them was a bit unreasonable, in my opinion. He also doesn't care that one of the villains just kills someone for doing absolutely nothing. There's nothing wrong with a hero in a Western being cynical, but he was just too cynical.But I liked Ruth Roman as an antagonistic businesswoman and Walter Brennan as James Stewart's friend. And I thought the gunfight at the end was okay and it was satisfying to see the villains get killed so I would say the movie wasn't totally bad.

The Far Country (1954)Anthony Mann and Jimmy Stewart made a few movies together, and one is a cool black and white affair, but this is one of his searing Technicolor productions. It almost has a comic flair even as the world is cut and splintered in the first twenty minutes until the real story begins--cattle driving in Alaska. Stewart of course plays a congenial sort, but his character Jeff Webster has a history of killing a couple men and having a little vengeance in his heart, and when he is coerced into this new job you know it isn't going to go smoothly.This is an odd story told with an odd tilt to it, and that's a good thing overall. And it's set in Alaska (near the Yukon), which gives it more of a frontier/prospecting feel than a standard Western. In addition to Walter Brennan who is his usual quirky best, the leading woman is Ruth Roman, who had a career something short of stardom, and she plays a tough but elegant frontier woman well. And there is a perky younger women (a French actress named Corinne Calvet), a kind of tomboy who has the hots for Webster. It doesn't quite work, but it's fun, and it's part of the series of conflicts all operating at the same time.There are some small flaws you have to overlook, like the day for night that is more day than night (which is only emphasized by some brilliant night filming at the end of the movie, night for night done to perfection). But there is a bigger tension that keeps things really interesting, too. Two extremes of women after one singular guy--that's enough for any movie. And there is the sheriff and judge and power-monger in town who is ruthless with a laugh and cackle, and he makes a great villain.I'm not interested in movies for their scenery, but it's worth noticing the amazing mountain country that is the setting here. There are also the standard moments that don't really add to the plot, but to the mood--some barroom singing, some riding through the scenery. But what really makes the movie is Stewart's role as an individualist, a man who is looking after himself first and last. Brennan acts as his conscience, reminding him to be a good guy, and Stewart, to his credit, listens.Heroics come slowly in a Mann Western. You suspect Webster is a good person deep down, but his goodness has a slow coming out. And in a way, even by the end, the ambiguity is there--it's the good townspeople who rise up and get their justice. A good movie, a very good Western.

A "Western" dominated by the magnificent North West scenery, and little else. A movie Directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart, its claims to greatness are vastly over stated. Filmed in Alberta and set around Gold Rush Dawson, it has little historical accuracy, which would be fine if there was a great story. But there isn't.Stewart plays the part of reluctant hero Jeff Webster taming Cattle Rustlers and Mining bullies, fronted up by Jim Gannon, in the ubiquitous black hat. There is no dramatic tension, and the compulsory climactic shoot out is farcical. Ruth Roman and Corrinne Calvert offer some love interest in horribly underwritten roles.The Canadian Rockies provide a stunning backdrop to all the outdoor scenes, and Dawson itself is quite well recreated, but the drama, and the dialogue, simply are not good enough.

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!!!!