Artivels Undescribable Perfection

Kailansorac Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

Numerootno A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

Robert Joyner The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

RanchoTuVu After winning the most desired rifle of all time, a Winchester '73, in a shooting contest in fabled Dodge City, James Stewart promptly loses it, setting up the film's main premise, a man out to reclaim what's rightfully his and in doing so settle scores along the way. I have to say the opening hour or so seemed a bit conventional, but there's a noticeable improvement in the final 30 or so minutes, shot by ace cinematographer William Daniels under the direction of film noir icon Anthony Mann. Stephen McNally is Stewart's main opponent but Dan Duryea is in vintage form as gunslinger Waco Johnny Dean for the limited amount of time he takes up on screen. McNally is classic as well. You could see Stewart coming into form as Mann's main character in a string of following westerns, but none of them turns out to be as good as this.

Richie-67-485852 The Wild West was well named and consisted of men, their horses and guns and then all the different stories that come with that. Here, the gun gets a starring role and it does a fine job in holding our attention. Who wouldn't want a 1 in a 1000 perfect rifle? Ahh, but you have to earn it and if you cannot, well the word "wild" is now introduced as in anything goes to get that rifle. However, the West was full of tough hombres so being good with a gun and being ready was not only smart but necessary. Those that didn't rise to the occasion are prey for the predators. This movie has a lot prey and predators in it and it moves swiftly from one to another making us entertained because we are drawn in. Add sub stories, decent scenery, never a dull moment and we have a classic Western that is so easy to enjoy. The stars make it come alive where you can almost taste the dust. One gets the feeling that if one can kill fast enough and for some reason, it is allowed called a type of feud. In civilized places, they don't preach to not do it they just tell you to not do it here or to movie on. Eventually that premise caught on and the Wild West eventually dropped the word "wild" and settled down to become our cities today. Enjoy the scenery's, characters, the buildings, streets and I always look for horse dung in the streets to see if they capture the real thing. Surprisingly the majority of Westerns show its absence but when you find one with it, the reality makes it all make more sense. Also, consider that a mans horse was like a car today necessary and vital to get around. There are some fine looking animals in this movie. Highly recommend a snack or sandwich, tasty drink and no cell phones while watching. Get lost in this Western for a couple of hours. Time well spent pardner. Enjoy

l_rawjalaurence Based on a short story, WINCHESTER 73 is the story of a famous rifle and those who end up using it. The plot is fairly straightforward, involving good (personified by James Stewart) versus evil (Stephen McNally, Dan Duryea) with good triumphing in the end. What renders this movie so entertaining is the stunning outdoor photography (by William H. Daniels) and Anthony Mann's taut direction, that keeps the plot rattling along at a brisk pace. There are distinct Biblical overtones to the plot, with seven competitors participating in the competition in Dodge City, to see who can win the rifle in the first place (including Stewart and McNally), but a Cain and Abel-like coda to the film, where it is revealed that Stewart and McNally are not only sworn enemies but blood brothers; McNally the Cain-like brother who turned to crime and shot their father in the back. For this 'unethical' crime alone, he deserves everything he gets. Stewart gets the chance to extend his acting range in this film; the sequence where he forces Waco Johnny Dean (Duryea) to submit to his will reveals just how violent he can be, if necessary. Shelley Winters turns in a good supporting cameo as a singer caught up in this elemental conflict, who can take care of herself (fortunately). Not an absolute classic, but a really good western nonetheless.

oscar-35 *Spoiler/plot- 1950, Frontiersman Lin McAdam is attempting to track down both his father's murderer and his special repeating rifle, Winchester '73. This rifle passes among a diverse group of desperate characters. Some of these are: crazed highwayman, immoral gunrunner, savage young Indian chief, and McAdam's brother.*Special Stars- James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea, Steven McNalley, Will Geer, Jay C. Flippen. Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis. Dir: Anthony Mann *Theme- Rifles don't really kill people, bad people kill good people.*Based on- A screenplay.*Trivia/location/goofs- James Stewart has credited Winchester '73 for helping to save and redefine his career, after a series of post-war flops which threatened to damage his career. This is the film Mr. Stewart would first find and use as his favorite horse called, 'Pye'. Pye was part Quarter and Arabian horse. This horse became his screen partner in his 30+ years Western film career. He never owned this horse but was loaned by a friend's daughter. At the time of release there was some ridiculing from the press at the idea of James Stewart, the polished quiet "thin man", could play a tough westerner. But, audience members were heard to audibly gasp in shock at the scene where Mr. Stewart angrily confronts Dan Duryea gunman character at the saloon bar with an arm-twisting. This was a first film role for two Universal upcoming leading men, Rock Hudson (gun buying Indian Chief) and Anthony (Tony) Curtis (2nd Cavalry trooper, Doan).*Emotion- A different film from those that came before. This film stressed character interactions that plain melodrama. It was enjoyable to experience the change of this Western genre into something more watch able. I am happy to own some film prop memorabilia of this film, a medal worn around Rock Hudson neck as an Indian Chief.