The Far Country

Yes - a fine old-fashioned Western, full of action, characters, splendid scenery and powerful acting. How is it different from a hundred other films of which exactly the same is true? Well, the setting is somewhat different, focusing on a cattle drive up to the Canadian goldfields; and the development of James Stewart's character from a nihilistic drifter to a dedicated good guy is impressively presented - as we'd expect from Stewart, of course.

This was one of a series of classic western tales directed by Anthony Mann and starring the excellent James Stewart and his horse Pie.

Yes, you have probably all seen it before on BBC2, Channel 4 or Film Four 4; it’s the one with the horse that has a silver bell on his saddle which distracts the bad guys at the critical moment.

Beautifully shot in Glacier country it is the beautiful views and the cinematography by William H Daniels that really add the finishing touches to this film.

The plot by veteran western writer Bordan Chase is similar to his previous screenplays for the Mann/ Stewart partnership, ‘Bend in the River’ and ‘Winchester 73’. Indeed ‘Naked Spur’ and the later ‘Man From Laramie’ also feature the excellent Mr Stewart as an honest man with a past and a chip on both shoulders.

You know the basic story, JS (as Jeff Webster in this version) is a man who looks after his own business, sometimes with a side kick, in this case Ben Tatum (Walter Brennan) and ends up having to do what a man has to do.

The ‘Far Country’ has an extremely competent cast with John McIntire as the evil Sheriff Gannon, Ruth Roman and Corinne Calvert as the love interests accompanied by the usual Universal Studios ensemble of goodies and baddies.

Harry Morgan, Steve Brodie and Jack Elam are the rogues trying to rip off Jay C Flippen, Connie Gilchrist, Chubby Johnson and a shapely Kathleen Freeman.

This film brought back so many happy memories that after watching it three times I have decided to add a copy to my collection in the near future.

Well worth the money if only for the shock that is created when a woman actually gets shot resulting in motivating the townsfolk to grab guns and get shooting!

excellent western classic well worth watching

I was very disappointed with this one, normally a Jimmy Stewart movie is brilliant. The plot was thin and confusing, all the best action was shot in the dark - it's only saving grace was that Jimmy Stewart was in it.

It's a Western, it's got Jimmy Stewart along wit a good supporting cast including the wonderful Walter Brennan and it's got great scenery, what more could you want.