“John Ford is an unholy combination of the Boston Strangler, Groucho Marx, Zorro and Mark Twain.” — Stephen Longstreet
Newly released on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection is John Ford’s 1946 western masterpiece My Darling Clementine. This highly fictionalized account of the gunfight at the OK Corral — pitting Marshal Wyatt Earp (Henry Fonda at his most iconic) and his right-hand man Doc Holliday (Victor Mature) against the fascistic “Clanton gang” (led by an atypically but convincingly psychotic Walter Brennan) — is a welcome addition to both the Criterion Collection and the growing number of Ford titles available in high-quality, high-definition editions on home video. My Darling Clementine was a pivotal film in Ford’s career for a number of reasons: it was his first western since Stagecoach in 1939 and his first fiction feature since returning from active duty in the Navy during World War II. The conflicts that arose during My Darling Clementine‘s post-production — between Ford and 20th Century Fox production chief Daryl Zanuck (with whom the director had previously enjoyed a long and productive, if occasionally combative, relationship) — ultimately fractured their partnership for good and led to Ford’s exiting the studio and starting his own independent production company, Argosy Pictures. This rupture is explicitly spelled out in Criterion’s excellent Blu-ray set, which features not only the copious supplementary material one would expect but two versions of the film itself: an early “preview version” (103 minutes in length and truer to Ford’s original intentions) and the 97-minute theatrical release (partially re-shot by Lloyd Bacon and heavily re-cut by Zanuck). The result is one of the most essential home video releases of the year.
Ford’s experiences during the war had a profound impact on his art and that is immediately apparent in My Darling Clementine, a film about a cattle man who emerges from the wilderness to “settle down” in the lawless town of Tombstone, Arizona, and reluctantly becomes marshal in the process. The first significant thing Wyatt Earp does upon arriving in town is to disarm and run out of town a drunken Indian, an event that occurs when Earp’s symbolic trip to the barbershop is unceremoniously interrupted. More importantly, Wyatt Earp’s reaction to the death of his younger brother James (and his lament over James’s grave about how their “Ma” will take the news) seems to reflect Ford’s own wartime duty of informing the parents of the deaths of the young men who served under his command in the Navy’s Field Photographic Unit. Finally, Ford stages the climactic gunfight at the OK Corral as if it were, in his own words, a “clever military maneuver.” There is a lot of powerful stillness and silence in the build up to the gunfight, as Earp and his deputies calmly walk up to the corral, which they then strategically infiltrate by cover of the dust kicked up by a passing horse-drawn covered wagon. This strategic maneuvering was undoubtedly influenced by the military maneuvers Ford had witnessed while covering the second world war as a documentary filmmaker, a lot of the footage of which has still never been publicly screened.
My Darling Clementine also feels highly personal and quintessentially Fordian in the way that it eschews plot in favor of a series of vignettes — some comical, some poignant — that Ford himself termed “grace notes.” One watches Ford in general not for plot but for these magic moments: an unexpectedly stunning composition here, a bit of spontaneous behavior that he probably cooked up with his actors while on set there. The fact that My Darling Clementine contains an unusually large number of such moments is perhaps an indication that Ford’s wartime experiences had strengthened his independence and resolve to buck against the constraints of a rigid studio system. Daryl Zanuck, who adored Ford, had always complained about the tempo of Ford’s movies (Zanuck had even wired the director a message on the set of 1939’s Drums Along the Mohawk reading, “They don’t call them moving pictures because they stand still. They move.”). Yet in 1946, Ford was willing to introduce the central conflict between the Earp brothers and the Clantons in his opening scene and then essentially put that conflict on hold for the next 45 minutes. This is absolutely the best stretch of the film, a series of magic moments that everyone remembers but that have nothing to do with the story. Most famously, there is the image of Wyatt Earp leaning back in a chair on the front porch of his hotel and balancing himself on a post with his feet. But there is also the sweetly awkward moment where Earp dances with Clementine Carter (Cathy Downs) at the consecration of Tombstone’s first church, Linda Darnell’s Mexican prostitute singing “Under a Broad Sombrero,” the comical visit to Tombstone of a Shakespearean actor named “Granville Thorndyke” (Alan Mowbray), and Earp collecting poker chips in his hat.
It was Ford’s indulgence of such indelible digressions, and Zanuck’s opposition to them, that ultimately led to the permanent falling out between the two men. This falling out is illustrated in detail on Criterion’s Blu-ray, not only through the two versions of the film included (both thankfully presented in 1080p) but also through the many welcome supplements, including an excellent new audio commentary by Ford biographer Joseph McBride and a visual essay by Tag Gallagher. But, of course, even those not academically inclined will want to snap this up; the real treat here is the movie itself, one of the greatest of all Hollywood westerns, and this version represents a new 4K digital restoration with a linear PCM soundtrack that both looks and sounds fabulous (better even than the superb DVD that was included in the mammoth “Ford at Fox” box set from a few years ago). Ford’s body of work is so rich because the man himself, like other great American artists such as Walt Whitman or Bob Dylan, contains multitudes. As the quote from Stephen Longstreet that opens this review attests (less perverse than it might initially seem), Ford was a complex dude who could be a stern — occasionally sadistic — father figure, a comedian, an adventurer and a master storyteller. One gets a sense of each of these qualities in My Darling Clementine, a film that undoubtedly would be a richer experience could we see Ford’s original version today. However, it is a testament to Ford’s genius that, even shorn of 30 minutes and partially re-shot, the theatrical release is still one of the high water marks of his long and illustrious career.
White City Cinema 
December 15th, 2014 at 10:25 am
What a coincidence. I wrote about a John Ford movie today — Donovan’s Reef. I love MDC, but I have to say I am not enamored with Blu-Ray. I recently showed SORCERER on Blu-ray in the classroom. Blown up on the big screen, it looked no different than the rest of the films I showed that semester that were regular DVD. I was disappointed.
December 15th, 2014 at 10:44 am
DONOVAN’S REEF is a really fun and underrated movie. I will go check out your blog post right now.
Unless you have an HD projector, you’re not going to notice much of a difference between DVD and Blu-ray since you’re seeing it in standard-definition. The difference between the two on an HD television monitor is pretty dramatic.
December 15th, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Great review, a hallmark in Ford’s work, Its pitch perfect and always a joy to watch and a rare one without the Duke, who i feel would not have suited this at all.
December 15th, 2014 at 11:47 pm
Thanks, Tim. Ford knew how to best use the personas of both Fonda and the Duke, didn’t he? It’s like they were his two favorite colors on his palette. And, of course, he mixed them both magnificently in FORT APACHE.
December 16th, 2014 at 12:24 pm
Another classic and very opposing roles, one looking forward whilst the other backward and bigoted, a reflection of how westerns were going at the time. I really need to see the cavalry trilogy back to back to really appreciate them as a whole.
December 15th, 2014 at 10:36 pm
When I am not so busy, I will comment on your thoughts of My Darling Clementine, but based on what I have skimmed of your entry, I agree 100% not only with you, but with that quote above comparing him to Mark Twain and Groucho Marx among many others. P.S. I am getting My Darling Clementine for Christmas on Criterion blu-ray of course:)
December 16th, 2014 at 4:07 pm
I first became aware of John Ford through the weekly columns Andrew Sarris wrote in the Village Voice back in the late 70s/early 80s. (It would be wonderful if someone anthologized them!) I remember that he singled out the barbershop scene as epitomizing the ‘grace notes’ that made his films so rich. I have an awful DVD of MDC that is so dark as to be almost unwatchable. Is there a Criterion in my future?
December 16th, 2014 at 5:35 pm
Mitchell, Sarris published a book intriguingly titled THE JOHN FORD MOVIE MYSTERY in 1983. I wonder if it does’t cover a lot of the same ground as the columns you’re talking about. His Ford entry in THE AMERICAN CINEMA is terrific.
December 22nd, 2014 at 8:05 am
[…] 1986, Kino/Lorber Blu-ray) 23. My Darling Clementine (Ford, USA, 1946, Criterion Blu-ray). More here. 24. Only Angels Have Wings (Hawks, USA, 1939, TCM/Columbia Blu-ray) 25. Out of the Past (Tourneur, […]
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:22 pm
Thanks. Really enjoyed reading this (as so many posts here this year!). Always a key western and Ford film for me – so many layered pleasures make it inexhaustibly rewatchable. Regards Thom.
December 23rd, 2014 at 12:59 pm
Thanks for reading, Thom!
October 28th, 2015 at 4:42 pm
After watching My Darling Clementine and reading this report the first thing that became apparent to me was how much John Ford’s prior experience in the Navy during World War II influences his films. First off, I see Ford in his character Wyatt Earp when settling down for him meant becoming marshall. This shows that even after returning from war, or in Wyatt’s case settling down from being on the road, there still needs to be a sense of discipline and the possibility of conflicts or gunfire. Also, in war there is are constant interruptions of perceived downtime and there is a complete lack of civilization. This relates to when Wyatt first arrives in this town with no order and his shave to become civilized is interrupted by drunken gunfire. Another point I agree with is the comparison between Wyatt’s concern about telling Ma about James’ death and the difficult conversations had by commanders and family members of soldiers killed in battle. A comment that made me wonder was about the “clever military maneuver” that happened leading up to the final duel. Since footage from the original was removed, it would be interesting to see if Ford had incorporated even more strategy in the approach scene considering his military background. I also back up the point that Ford was a genius at integrating random moments in the middle 45 minutes of the film between the central conflict of the battle between the Earp brothers and the Clatons. Although scenes like Wyatt balancing himself on the post, his awkward dancing, the random Shakespearean actor, and Wyatt collecting the poker chips in his hat had little to nothing to do with the plot, they become memorable. These scenes kept me amused and were ingrained in my mind because of the way they were introduced and filmed. Overall, this film was a true testament of Ford’s diversity in filmmaking and how he could be a father figure, comedian, an adventurer, and a master storyteller. The ability to combine all aspects of entertainment into a single film is what makes John Ford a true film genius of his time.
October 29th, 2015 at 6:11 pm
My Darling Clementine demonstrates a classic western because it has all the necessary requirements. This movie has the right characters, setting, clothing, and overall story line. The movie immediately opens up with characters dressed up in cowboy hats, chaps, and cowboy boots riding horses and herding cattle in the middle of the desert with cactus and dried up plants. How western is that? As soon as Wyatt and his brothers ride into town, there are immediate gunshots going through the walls, and the one shooting was an indian. This is another reason why it is a proper western movie. There was a perfect climax of the movie where all you hear is intense music and Wyatt, his brothers, and Doc roll up to the Clanton gang at the OK coral. This silence and build up gives the story line and that specific scene some tension. I agree that Ford’s wartime experience has been used in this film because the main character seems to have the personality of coming home from war in a way. Some people come home from war happy, some people come from war sad and not willing to talk to some people. Wyatt came off to me as a person who keeps to himself, does his job, and goes home for the day. It seems like Wyatt went through a lot in his life and doesn’t like to get into conversation with a lot of people because of his back life. I also agree that Ford demonstrated his military intelligence by creating that final gun scene as a war plan.
October 29th, 2015 at 9:36 pm
The movie My Darling Clementine contains many of the conventions of a classical western film. Wyatt Earp is the hero who stands between justice and lawlessness and between civility and savagery. This is typically how the hero is portrayed in the western genre. He is good looking, single, and physically strong. Wyatt and his brothers stop in Tombstone, the film’s location, while moving their herd of cattle. While at the saloon, the herd is stolen and they decide to stay to find those who are responsible. As newcomers to the town, they join the forces of order. Wyatt ends-up as the sheriff of Tombstone determined to solve his brother’s murder and bring Doc Holliday and his gang to justice. The outsider coming in to clean-up a town is another typical classical western convention. As sheriff he confronts the gambler Doc Holliday who essentially runs the town. It’s a showdown between good and evil: Earp vs. Holliday. This story of morality is typical of this genre.
In most classic western movies, the story leads up to a gun fight between the adversaries. This happens in this film as well. However, the build-up to the showdown is also important to the plot and theme of this movie. It shows day to day life and interactions of the people in a town trying to survive in the middle of the wilderness. A classic western ends with civilization winning out over unruliness.
At the end, Wyatt dances with Clementine at the opening of Tombstone’s first church. This moment symbolizes that civilization has triumphed over anarchy. And in a classic western, good always triumphs over evil.
October 30th, 2015 at 3:30 am
It was both stunning and fascinating when I saw this movie in class simply because one of the most memorable moments in the whole movie was when when Wyatt Earp was adjusting his feet on a post trying to keep himself balanced. It was hilarious to me because that moment had absolutely nothing to do with the actual plot but feels vital nonetheless. The whole classic western setting that the movie was trying to re-create was perfectly dead-on. The costumes felt right, as did the setting as a whole (small run-down town of tombstone). It was nice seeing the whole old western mindset to problem solving where men argue with violence and guns! Thank you for showing this restored version to me in all the glory of 4k blue ray! (I would go into greater detail but everyone seems to have stolen my idea’s before I can write them down in this posting)
October 30th, 2015 at 4:50 am
I would like to add to the world war II symbolism you had brought up with the military like maneuvers Earp and his gang had performed during the moments leading up to the gunfight. One moment i would like to talk about is the barbershop scene before the Indian shows up that you had mentioned. Earp coming to the barbershop was a symbol of the soldiers coming home from war which was a barbaric scene to a more civilized scene. Though going even deeper with how his shave his interrupted is like PTSD a soldier would experience after war. As if the war never ended and even being in a safe place there is still danger. But the film also goes into great detail about anarchy versus civilization. The anarchy was the lawlessness the town was under when there was no Marshal. But the building the church was symbolizing the civil authority that is civilization. During the time frame of this movie there was Anarchy while the church was built. But when the church was finished after the Clanton gang is killed it seemed as if the Anarchy and lawlessness was over. As if it was a new age of civilized living within the town.
October 30th, 2015 at 9:36 am
The movie My Darling Clementine was a great example of a western movie, because there’s the villain, and the hero. The hero is always made out to be this big and strong guy that’s there to save the day when the time comes around. But in this movie Wyatt was not your ideal hero because he was rather small, and not very out spoken. One thing that you pointed out that stood out to me was that his past experience in the Navy. I believe that experience helped him when it came to the final shoot out at the OK carol, because no one was expecting it. That idea to have the horse and wagon run in between to form a dust cloud and give zero visibility was something no average joe could think of. I believe that the Navy aspect of his life had not ended when he came home from war because it seemed that he used a lot of war tactics, while being the sheriff at Tombstone. One thing I was able to notice about Wyatt was his calmness in tough situations. My favorite scene was when him and Doc were in the bar. Doc was trying to show his dominance in the town and tell Wyatt that nothings going to stop him, and of course the guns came out and Wyatt had nothing to show. He played it off that he didn’t need a gun to run this town and almost made Doc look like a fool.
October 30th, 2015 at 10:01 am
The Roger and Ebert review of My Darling Clementine highlights Clementine as the main character. Doc left her back in the East, presumably because he knew he had tuberculosis. He did love her but knew he wouldn’t live to give her a full life. Clementine clearly loves Doc because she travels all over the West looking for him before she finds him in Tombstone. Doc still wants to protect her and tells her to get out of town. She begins to pack and then she falls in love with Wyatt at the church dance. According to Roger Ebert, “This dance is the turning point of the movie, and marks the end of the Old West.” The dances symbolizes a change from violence to love, fun and the building of families. The love between Clementine and Wyatt is foreshadowed in the barbershop when they first meet and Clementine stands close to him. I think the film isn’t only about Wyatt, Doc and the gunfight but about Clementine and the arrival of women in the West. I think when John Ford named the film My Darling Clementine he wanted to emphasize women’s part in settling the Old West.
October 30th, 2015 at 10:47 am
The movie My Darling Clementine (1946) is a classical western film directed by ford. This movie edited many times and each time it get shorter. Even though My Darling Clementine was the first western movie of ford, it became one of the best. Conflict between Ford and 20th century Fox cause that Ford provide studio and produce My Darling Clementine from his own studio. As you mention in the report, Ford experiences during World War II have impact considerably on this film. For instance, how the family member of solder react in death news, military strategy, and become civilize after war. One of the interesting method that Ford used it was he introduce the main problem at the beginning of film and then the movie continue with unrelated subjects without losing the main problems. At the end the movie turn back to the prime subject. Western movies usually base on revenge and gun fight which this movie had it. Also, this movie was mix combination of comedy, Wyatt wear perfume and people around him though the smell come from garden or the conversation between Wyatt and bartender, Wyatt asked have ever being in love and he replied “no I have been bartender in my whole life”, and tragedy, the death of Wyatt brother. My favorite scene was when Wyatt balancing act while sitting on the porch of the Tombstone hotel. The part of movie when Wyatt and his colleague went to the Ok Corral took too long to prepare and settle in their places.it would be more interesting if Ford used montage method and cut the extras.
October 30th, 2015 at 10:51 am
My Darling Clementine is one the best accounts of the greatest western hero of all time: Wyatt Earp. Even though Doc is a whole lot more cooler than Earp i think he represents the other end of spreturm when it comes to heroes. the best way to look at is that Wyatt is the pure, straight laced hero while doc is the no holds, tough guy hero. Wyatt is like Clark kent while Doc is more like Superman. The ending at Ok coral was one the best shoot-out scenes in western fims. Only the great director John ford would have thought of using the dust of a passing wagon to trun the tide of the shoot-out to the heroes John ford shot this film expertly and with him having met Wyatt Earp before tells the most realistic account of his story.
October 30th, 2015 at 11:22 am
I really appreciate that this movie had recently gotten an upgrade in quality and quantity. Reading this, I searched up what the preview version had in store and found that 35 minutes of Ford’s movie has been altered with reshooting and recutting by two other editors decreasing the run time 6 minutes for theatrical release. Some music has also been changed and the finale has been slightly edited as well. Anyway, I like how it was stated that Earp is a reflection of Ford’s experience in the navy during WWII. This highly-moralized cattle man setting foot in a troubled, lawless town, then becomes its sheriff. He then comes across the person playing a huge factor in the town’s chaos who contradicts Earp’s mindset and appearance.
October 30th, 2015 at 11:34 am
My Darling Clementine is a very good illustration of the western culture during that era. It has all the characteristics that represents the specific genre; from having a small town in the middle of nowhere, to shoot-out scenery while riding on horses. The characters were passionate and I find it intriguing. I thought Doc was main bad guy at first because of his impression in the beginning of the movie. He was the in control of the town and had this menacing vibe. The ending is quite fascinating knowing the director used silent scenery to depict the shooting scene. This movie is a classic western and gives us an idea about to historical timeline back then.
October 30th, 2015 at 11:37 am
Based on the director’s past we could obviously see his knowledge of war being shone through this film. As the movie progresses we might be able to say that Ford is Wyatt, the main character in the movie. Just like Wyatt commanding the cattle around the fields all day, the same could be said about Ford commanding young soldiers around. Both men hard at work away from ordinary people and then walk into civilization and try to settle down.
On how the actual movie is directed it seems that the higher resolution and higher bit rate for this movie would benefit it greatly. The scene where Wyatt goes into the pub and all the bad guys line up and stare Wyatt down seems very graphic. The stillness and the silence not only builds up the gun fights, but it also makes these scenes self explanatory. Because of these still images and the graphical shots one could turn off the audio of the movie and still understand what is going on.
October 30th, 2015 at 12:02 pm
After reading your review on My darling clementine the movie it self now holds more meaning and context. I was not aware that John Ford had prior experience in the navy. It helps understand why Ford made Wyatt Earp such a badass. I agree with the fact that his experience in the Navy does influence him. When i was watching the film at first, i believed that Wyatt Earp was actually some crooked thieve. Understanding his hardboiled apperance takes time. I also do enjoy the many scenes of random material that does not matter to the story of the movie. The reason i belive Ford did this was to help viewers understand that no matter how someone acts and what they do, there still a normal person like everyone around them. He wanted to help reinforce that even though Wyatt seems like this badass Marshall who’s always got a serious look on his face, he himself is also a normal person who just wants to enjoy their life as well.
October 30th, 2015 at 12:08 pm
I didn’t know John Ford served during the second world war. of course it seems obvious now but I always imagined him being older than he was I guess. It makes sense. the violence in the film is evocative of someone who has had experience watching people die. I agree with your statements about how Ford’s movies are not so much plot focused but are kind of a linking of many different little stories to create something bigger. Watching the film I thought it was interesting that the film was focusing on things like dancing and Wyatt putting on perfume to impress Clementine. It all adds however to this film representing the western genre. Wyatt dancing and putting on perfume in the middle of the desert in a small town symbolizing the civilization that has been brought to tombstone, Also emphasizing Wyatt’s prissy nature and his role as the role-model sheriff. The good guy is clean shaven, wears perfume and keeps the peace. The bad guys are rough, rowdy and rebel against society embracing chaos.(one of whom played by one of my favorite actors Walter Brennan. Rio Bravo <3). The Western at its core was about the adventure of the expansion of the territory. In this way, for better or for worse, The western not only epitomizes American Cinema but America itself. I Thought this article was incredibly informative and am very happy that Films like this are still being released for wider audiences to enjoy.
October 30th, 2015 at 12:15 pm
The Movie “My Darling Clementine” directed by John Ford (1946) is an example of a classic western movie. The movie has many conventions that make it into a great western movie, for example the plot elements of the story and the settings also the character types. In the beginning of the movie it starts off as the four brothers riding with their cattle riding across a desert next to a town called tombstone as the main character Wyatt Earp who is portrayed as a strong independent cowboy, comes across a guy by the name of Clanton. We see there that’s when we notice the beginning of the plot where Wyatt and Old Man Clanton first meet in the movie and confront each other just like the ending of the movie where they both confront each other again in a shootout. The three brothers leave the younger one behind to look after the cattle and they arrive at the town Clanton had told them about. During their visit a drunk starts shooting everywhere and Wyatt takes action and stops the guy. Just in that scene says a lot about the main character and how he displays his leadership skills. He is offered the town Marshall Position but refuses and leaves. When he returns he sees that his brother has been killed and returns to the town and takes the offer. He later meets a man in a bar by the name of Doc Holiday who Wyatt suspects killed his brother but towards the end he finds out it was the Clanton Family. Throughout the whole movie we see confrontations between Wyatt and Doc, and in the end Doc ends up helping Wyatt in a classic shootout that’s part of every western movie. Wyatt becomes victorious and brings peace to the troubled town.
October 30th, 2015 at 12:28 pm
I found your article on My Darling Clementine very informative, as I was unaware that John Ford served in the second world war. I found this fact very interesting, as it adds to the meaning of the film. I appreciate the film more now that I know more of the context surrounding it, such as the fact that he was a veteran, and how you brought up that his war experiences added to what he put into the movie and how he went against the studio system to open his own independent one. Everything you said makes sense and is very apparent when I think back on the film. I enjoyed it in class, as it perfectly exemplified an American western, and I enjoy it a little more now as I now realize it holds more meaning.
October 30th, 2015 at 11:56 pm
Whenever I think about My Darling Clementine, I immediately picture the scene where Wyatt s balancing himself on a chair, using his feet and a pole. It’s many small details and scenes like these that make My Darling Clementine so easy to remember and even significant. Many movies dedicate their entire running time to a story, even forcing un-useful plot at times. Other movies will waste your time with other scene’s that they try to make look important, even though they truthfully aren’t. But My Darling Clementine doesn’t do any of these things. Instead it gives you the beginning of a story and instead of over doing the story by filling the entire hour and a half with plot devices, it spends nearly 45 minutes showing you what happened between the beginning and end. The best part about this is that it didn’t feel like a waste of my time. In fact the least important parts of this movie were the ones that I enjoyed the most and put a smile on my face.
Arguably almost every scene in this movie has motivation from Ford’s time in WW2. Even the good times Wyatt Earp had in the movie, made me think of the good times that even soldiers during the war had together. Late at night at base camp, having a drink and laughing with their new friends and comrades. The violent scenes in this movie, especially the final show down is pretty obvious. You can tell Ford took memories he had from the war and depicted them straight onto the set and screen. Looking at his dead brother, Wyatt doesn’t show the same kind of shock and upset that a person who has lived a peaceful life would. Instead, it felt more like a soldier who has lost many of his fellow comrades before, looking at the dead body of another fallen one. He had a sort of quiet sadness for the death of his brother.
As you can see, I share the same opinion as your article (for the most part). Even though I didn’t know about his experience in WW2, looking back the influence is obvious in most violent scenes and is exists even in more emotional or happy scenes. I’m excited to see what Gallagher has to say about the movie.
November 1st, 2015 at 12:55 pm
Nick Torre
The motion picture My Darling Clementine contains a number of the traditions of an established western film. Wyatt Earp is the legend who stands in the middle of equity and disorder and in the middle of respectfulness and brutality. This is normally how the saint is depicted in the western classification. He is attractive, single, and physically solid. Wyatt and his siblings stop in Tombstone, the film’s area, while moving their crowd of cows. While at the cantina, the crowd is stolen and they choose to stay to discover the individuals who are dependable. As newcomers to the town, they join the strengths of request. Wyatt winds up as the sheriff of Tombstone resolved to explain his sibling’s homicide and convey Doc Holliday and his group to equity. The outcast telling the truth up a town is another normal established western tradition. As sheriff he goes up against the card shark Doc Holliday who basically runs the town. It’s a confrontation in the middle of good and malevolence: Earp versus Holliday. This account of profound quality is commonplace of this kind.
In most excellent western motion pictures, the story paves the way to a firearm battle between the foes. This kind of battle also happens in the film. On the other hand, the development to the confrontation is additionally imperative to the plot and topic of this motion picture. It indicates everyday life and cooperation’s of the general population in a town attempting to make due amidst the wild. An exemplary western finishes with human advancement winning out over uncontrollability.
November 4th, 2015 at 1:34 pm
My Darling Clementine seems, by now, a very run of the mill western film, but like It Happened One Night, it seems run of the mill because the film basically created the mill that is Westerns with interesting characters and sub-plots that add nothing to the main plot. These “magic moments” as you call them do, in fact, stand out and even though the film is much less historically accurate than, say, Tombstone starring Kurt Russell it’s ultimately a better film thanks to these side details. Tombstone also has side details but those actually add to the plot and in a way they do take away from the “magic” that is seen in John Ford’s My Darling Clementine. It also seems much more realistic in My Darling Clementine, because in real life, shit happens. Completely unrelated things happen, and these unrelated, magical events that can be seen in My Darling Clementine do somehow add to the realism of the film. So, yeah, in the end, I do agree with you.
January 29th, 2019 at 2:02 pm
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