Synopsis: Wyatt Earp tames the town of Tombstone, culminating in the gunfight at the OK Corral
Director: John Ford
Actors: Henry Fonda, Victor Mature, Walter Brennan
Date: 1946
How viewed: Bought, Amazon £3.69
Rating: 3/5
David Meyer says:
A John Ford Western of mood, character, and cinematography. 'Clementine' is startlingly modern in its quiet contemplation, dark undercurrents, and unequivocal thematic material.
I say:
I hadn't watched a real Western in decades. let alone one in black and white (but it's interesting how you quickly you adapt, and there seems to be just as much 'colour' in black and white!) This started out feeling like an episode of Rawhide, but, along with all the Western cliches, there were some nice touches, a slow pace (almost no plot in the middle of the film), scenes such as Fonda rocking back on his chair on the porch, fantastic scenery (Monument Valley - see picture), the church dance, and the skies (which even in black and white are spectacular), which gave it a different feel to the usual cowboys and indians scenario. I wasn't convinced by Doc Holliday's TB (Victor Mature looked far too healthy!) and the title neither reflected the song or the plot. Probably wouldn't rush out to see more Westerns of this era, but equally, wouldn't avoid them.
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