Winchester '73 (1950 film)

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Winchester '73

Directed by	Anthony Mann
Produced by	Aaron Rosenberg
Written by	Borden Chase Robert L. Richards
Starring	James Stewart Shelley Winters Stephen McNally
Music by	Walter Scharf
Cinematography	William H. Daniels
Editing by	Edward Curtiss
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date(s)	July 12, 1950
Running time	92 min.
Language	English
IMDb profile

Winchester '73 is an American western movie from 1950. It stars James Stewart and is the first of five collaborations between Stewart and director Anthony Mann.

1 Plot
2 James Stewart and Anthony Mann
3 Cast
4 See also

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Lin McAdam (James Stewart) and friend 'High Spade' (Millard Mitchell) pursue outlaw 'Dutch Henry' Brown (Stephen McNally) into Dodge City. Sheriff Wyatt Earp (Will Geer) enforces the peace without exception however, so Lin can't do anything. Instead, he enters a shooting competition, contending against Dutch Henry among others. They end up the two finalists for a prized, one-in-a-thousand, perfect Winchester rifle. Lin wins, but Dutch Henry steals the prize and leaves town with Lin in hot pursuit.

Meanwhile, the rifle changes hands several times and adversely affects the lives of those who hold or seek it, usually with fatal consequences. Dutch Henry is forced to barter away his rifle to trader Joe Lamont (John McIntire), who then runs guns to the Indians. Their leader doesn't like the old, worn-out merchandise Lamont is offering; he wants the Winchester. When Lamont refuses to sell, he pays the ultimate price for his stupidity.

The rifle next falls into the possession of Steve Miller (Charles Drake). He's running with Dutch Henry's gang, much to the disapproval of his girl, Lola Manners (Shelley Winters). Gunfighter 'Waco' Johnny Dean (Dan Duryea) covets it. He keeps insulting Miller in front of Lola, until finally he snaps and draws on him, though he knows he's no match for the professional. Waco kills him and takes possession, but not for long. Dutch Henry shows up and takes back "his" rifle.

Dutch Henry plans a robbery. Waco is stationed in a saloon to provide protection, but is betrayed to Lin by Lola. The theft goes awry; Lin chases Dutch Henry out of town and corners him on a rocky hill. In the final showdown, between shots, the two converse and it is disclosed that Dutch Henry is Lin's own no-good brother, Matthew. He killed their father when he wouldn't go along with his crimes. Lin finally kills Dutch Henry.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] James Stewart and Anthony Mann

James Stewart starred in five classic western movies by director Anthony Mann. In all five he plays a man that is haunted by the past. The films are famous for their groundbreaking use of the landscape to portray the characters' feelings.

[edit] Cast

James Stewart as Lin McAdam
Shelley Winters as Lola Manners
Dan Duryea as Waco Johnnie Dean - also 1967-TV version as Bart McAdam
Stephen McNally as Dutch Henry Brown
Millard Mitchell as High-Spade Frankie Wilson
Charles Drake as Steve Miller
John McIntire as Joe Lamont
Will Geer as Wyatt Earp
Jay C. Flippen as Sgt. Wilkes
Rock Hudson as Young Bull
Tony Curtis as Doan
James Best as Crator