The Far Country
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| The Far Country | |
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| Directed by | Anthony Mann |
| Produced by | Aaron Rosenberg |
| Written by | Borden Chase |
| Starring | James Stewart Ruth Roman Walter Brennan Jay C. Flippen John McIntire |
| Music by | Milton Rosen Henry Mancini Hans J. Salter |
| Cinematography | William H. Daniels |
| Editing by | Russell F. Schoengarth |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date(s) | February 12, 1955 |
| Running time | 97 min. |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
- This article is about a film. For the Nevil Shute novel of the same name, see The Far Country (1952 novel)
The Far Country is a 1955 American western movie directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart in their fifth and final collaboration. It is one of a handful of Westerns, along with North to Alaska, to be set in Alaska.
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[edit] Plot
In 1896, Jeff Webster (James Stewart) hears of the Klondike gold rush and he and friend Ben Tatum (Walter Brennan) decide to drive a herd of cattle to Dawson City. On the way, he annoys self-appointed Skagway judge Gannon (John McIntire) by interrupting a hanging, so the "lawman" confiscates his herd. Jeff and Ben steal the animals back and take off with Gannon and his men in hot pursuit. After crossing the border into Canada, Jeff uses a few well-placed warning shots to persuade Gannon's gang to give up the chase, but the judge promises a hot reception when Jeff returns.
When Jeff gets to Dawson, he finds widespread (though relatively peaceful) lawlessness, and ignores it as none of his business. He auctions off his herd to new arrival Ronda Castle (Ruth Roman), one of Gannon's business associates, when she outbids Hominy (Conny Gilchrist), Grits (Kathleen Freeman) and Molasses (Connie Van), co-owners of the local hash house. Both Ronda and French-Canadian gamine Connie Calvet (Renee Vallon) are strongly attracted to Jeff.
Ronda sets up a saloon (in partnership with Gannon) and begins cheating the miners out of their claims. Gannon and his gunmen show up to grab their share (and then some), making Dawson much more dangerous. Eventually, there is a showdown between the fed-up, longtime residents and the newcomers. When Jeff calls Gannon out to settle the dispute man to man, the villain arranges an ambush. Ronda rushes out to warn Jeff and is fatally shot in the back. Jeff kills Gannon in the ensuing gunfight and the rest of his gang surrender. Connie wins Jeff by default.
[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 who is haunted by the past. The films are famous for their groundbreaking use of the landscape to portray the characters' feelings.
- Winchester '73 (1950)
- Bend of the River (1952)
- The Naked Spur (1953)
- The Man from Laramie (1955)
- The Far Country (1955)
[edit] Cast
- James Stewart as Jeff Webster
- Ruth Roman as Ronda Castle
- Walter Brennan as Ben Tatum
- Corinne Calvet as Renee Vallon
- John McIntire as judge Gannon
- Jay C. Flippen as Marshal Rube Morris
- Harry Morgan as Ketchum
