WINCHESTER 73

US, 1950, 92 minutes, Black and white.
James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea, Stephen Mc Nally, Millard Mitchell, Charles Drake, John Mc Intire, Will Geer, Jay C. Flippen, Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis, Steve Brodie.
Directed by Anthony Mann.

Winchester 73 was a popular western of its time. In succeeding decades it has been considered a classic. It is the work of director Anthony Mann who went on to direct another seven films with Stewart during the '50s including Bend of the River, Thunder Bay, The Naked Spur, Man from Laramie, Glenn Miller Story, Strategic Air Command.

The film focuses on the Winchester 73 repeater, one of the most successful guns used in the West. The film also shows the gun changing hands which enables the screenplay to focus on many aspects of the American West: the gunfighters, the Indians, the outlaws. The film also shows the atmosphere of the outposts of the West, justice and law and order as well as the clashes with the Indians on the frontier. The film has a very strong cast - including early roles by Tony Curtis and Rock Hudson.

1. The status of the film? Its merits as a classic western? Entertainment value as a western?

2. The western tradition? The hero, outlaws, gunfighters, Indians, the frontier town, the saloon girl? The conventions of the western? How well used by this film? Developing the conventions?

3. Black and white photography, the atmosphere of the West, action sequences and pace?

4. The title and the focus on the gun? The gun as a weapon for safety, for danger. for killing? The episodic nature of the screenplay and the focusing on the gun as used by a variety of characters?

5. The portrait of the West: the western town, Dodge City in the 1870s, marksmanship contests, saloons, the gunfighters, the Indian traders, the Indian tribes, cowards. outlaws? Gun duels?

6. The focus on Lin Mc Adam? James Stewart's presence and laconic style? High Spade as his sidekick? Wandering the West? The vengeance theme? Mc Adam's father and his death? The contest and the build-up in the town? The clash with Dutch Henry Brown? The irony of Brown being Mc Adam's brother? Responsible for the death of their father? Brown stealing the gun? McAdam? and his pursuit of Brown. the encounter with the Indians? With Waco Johnny Dean? With Steve Miller? The relationship with Lola? McAdam's treatment of her? The authorities in Dodge City? Wyatt Earp? The build-up to the confrontation with Brown? The mountaintop, the gun duel? Vengeance and the retrieving of the gun? The portrait of a man of the West?

7. Dutch Henry Brown as villain? His behaviour in the contest, the stealing of the gun, the card game with Joe Lamont? The encounter with Johnny Dean? The getting back of the gun? The pursuit by Mc Adam? The build-up to the confrontation on the mountain, the long duel, confrontation, outwitting each other? Brown's death? A portrait of the western villain?

8. Joe Lamont, Indian trader, playing both sides, gambling, wanting the gun? The confrontation with Young Bull and his death?

9. Young Bull and his role with the Indians, the raid on the Cavalry, the death of the Chief? His using the gun? Steve Miller, his place in the West, his getting the rifle, confrontation with Waco Johnny Dean and his death?

10. Waco Johnny Dean, the outlaw, lack of moral stance. getting the gun, his returning it to Brown?

11. Lola and her place in Dodge City, the response of Mc Adam, his treating her as a lady? Dutch Henry Brown and his treatment of her? The role she played in the film in terms of plot, a woman of the West?

12. The entertainment value of the screenplay with its episodes? Its range of themes of the West? Its look at the West - critique, nostalgia?