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My Darling Clementine

My Darling Clementine

1946
Western
1h 37m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 70.91% from 1031 total ratings

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(1031)
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Rated 09 Mar 2007
93
97th
Action, drama, romance, suspense, comedy, triumph and tragedy, song and dance: all done flawlessly. Every scene feels iconic and classic, it's the Casablanca of westerns. Fonda and Mature are men who are heroic by the nature of their inherent goodness, not tough guy talk and macho swagger. The supporting cast is excellent too, and the photography is top-notch. A film that beautifully blends mythology and reality.
Rated 09 Feb 2007
4
70th
One of the greatest westerns ever made, and one of the most unique, in that violence is practically an afterthought; though there are several entertaining action scenes, the movie's primary themes are romance and friendship. Holliday and Earp engage in a sort of power struggle, but it's clear that they have a mutual respect and like for each other; they are genuinely decent. Somber and elegiac, a swan song for the old west.
Rated 08 Jun 2009
4
74th
Wyatt Earp is a facsimile of John Ford's entire oeuvre regarding the Old West. Myth and pseudohistory made mortal. The shadowy cinematography is the envy of even the darkest films noir, shading and toning this story about masculine facades who, in their heart of hearts, are capable of poetry. Violence isn't the motif here, it's a fresh shave and scent of honeysuckle, a dance between would-be lovers, a Shakespeare recital.
Rated 17 Jan 2008
85
94th
Even those who think they don't like old westerns should give this a shot. It might just change your minds. It's a perfect example of the genre, with Henry Fonda (a stand-out in this) and Victor Mature in the familiar Wyatt Earp and Doc Hollyday roles. Yet, there's nothing familiar about the rest of this fresh and enjoyable film, exquisitely directed by one of the masters of the western, John Ford.
Rated 17 Feb 2010
90
97th
There's a church scene that features a particularly touching display of acting from Fonda. I say "particularly" because he's good not just in parts, but throughout, and he's probably the best part of the movie. Better than Ford's direction even. Apparently the depiction of the gunfight at the OK Corral is inaccurate historically. I can't tell you how much I don't care. A sensitive western for all demographics (except maybe injuns. Sorry fellas. The genre hasn't really treated you well has it?)
Rated 17 Apr 2017
99
98th
Kurosawa once said My Darling Clementine is a template for what films can be - and it's hard to disagree with the sensei. Bridges myth and history, allegory and humanity, in a way only the great foundational fables can. Intervening years of romanticism and cynicism have not diluted its power in the slightest.
Rated 23 Nov 2008
6
95th
Truly iconic photography, flawless performances, and also remarkably well-paced to boot - one of the finest reminders as to how important John Ford was to filmmaking.
Rated 08 Dec 2010
90
85th
This is a very straight western, with no major attempts at subversion or circumvention of the tropes of the genre, but what makes it special is that it's got a lot of heart to it. Ford's direction is beautiful. The desert landscapes with their cacti and buttes -- though familiar -- have great power to them. Unfortunately the female characters, especially the pitiful Chihuahua, are presented in a particularly misogynist way, which is a patch on an otherwise outstanding film.
Rated 03 Jul 2009
90
72nd
A couple of patchy spots here and there (The whole actor sequence felt kind of out-of-place) and I never quite bought Fonda as the iconic Wyatt Earp, even if his performance is still good. Still, a great performance from Mature, an exceptional directing job, and beautiful visuals more than make-up for that.
Rated 06 May 2009
80
76th
A gracious, lyrical western with, yet again from Ford, impressively beautiful framing and careful and contrasted lighting. And again, Ford display a keen eye for details, primarily visible in the way he capture small gestures, modest glances, small nuances, implicitly and elegantly commenting on the various characters participating in this sombre poem. The characters, all clearly burdened by abiding doubts and longings, are depicted with sympathy and respect. Fucking masterful.
Rated 18 Jun 2017
81
77th
I always think Ford lacks a certain stylistic boldness, and that holds him back in my view. However, the story here doesn't call for that, and the acting and cinematography are so great it doesn't matter. The lighting in particular is on another level.
Rated 01 Feb 2013
50
12th
Not horrible, but still kind of crap. I think your time would be much better spent re-watching Red River, High Noon, or Tombstone with Kurt and Val.
Rated 30 Jul 2009
9
90th
Fonda is amazing in Ford's western, a director who clearly knows his way around the genre. One must have an inherent love for the genre to perfectly balance a dark and bleak atmosphere with subtle romance and a sense of friendship and hope. If you loved "Unforgiven", you should seek out this film!
Rated 27 May 2018
85
90th
"-Mac, you ever been in love? -No, I've been a bartender all me life."
Rated 18 Jul 2015
95
93rd
Viewed July 17, 2015. A masterpiece of pacing and tone, the film uses one of the definitive stories of the Wild West as a springboard for a meditative film about love, revenge and the morality of the Old West. It's a work of aching beauty, mournful and nostalgic, but also strikingly contemplative. The key image of the film has got to be Henry Fonda leaning back in his chair, the entire town spanning out in front of him.
Rated 14 Dec 2014
83
95th
Ford's classic take on Wyatt Earp and the shoot out at the OK Corral may lack historical accuracy, but it's still the best film made about the subject by a considerable margin. Fonda is great as the surprisingly awkward and laconic Earp, and Mature impresses as the charismatic and reckless Holliday, yet it's Ford's moody and quasi-poetic imagery that transforms this elegant reconstruction of a famous historical event into a piece of mythic cinema.
Rated 18 Jan 2008
82
78th
A damn good western. Henry Fonda is as usual fantastic. The chemistry between Earp and Holliday is fantastic. The relationships though underdeveloped was pretty well executed with what they had. A terrific western. Definitely worth a look.
Rated 19 May 2015
70
52nd
I went looking for, and found, a queer theory reading of this film. Corey K. Creekmur writes, "in a bar full of men, Wyatt Earp cruises Doc Holliday, who responds by buying him a glass of champagne and then asking him out on a date". I think this film is so revered because it is the prototypical representation of the Western genre: an ultra masculine hero battles against all other identities, and only finds solace in another macho macho man.
Rated 07 Apr 2007
60
47th
I don't see what the big deal is
Rated 16 May 2018
95
98th
A complete reimagining (some would say butchering) of the real OK Corral story, but the story it does tell is rich. It's a gorgeous movie and a Ford masterpiece. Apparently I care less about a movie's fidelity to real history than to comic book history.
Rated 04 Apr 2019
6
70th
Hovers in the good but not great category for me (though I can see how it would be thrilling for 1946). The Fonda-Mature two-hander at its center is strong, and there's some dark and mournful moments of escalating revenge and tragedy. It certainly feels super cliche by today's standards, and I was left relatively unwowed by the final shootout. I couldn't help but notice that it feels like a lot of the aesthetics of Back to the Future Part III come from this film specifically.
Rated 29 Oct 2009
73
47th
Did I watch the wrong movie? The romance was terrible in my opinion. I'd recommend High Noon over this one any day.
Rated 09 Nov 2014
90
89th
Ford at his absolute best, and oh my godddd the photography is beyond words. Story never misses a beat and the performances across the board are amazing. Really can't say enough great things about this. Without a doubt, one of the best mythic westerns.
Rated 25 Apr 2010
60
54th
I liked it quite a bit up until the romantic element of the plot set in and crapified it. The female characters are usually poorly written in westerns, but here they stick out so much that the misogyny is unmistakable. Clem and Chihuahua are both pathetic caricatures of womanhood: whiny, needy and quite unreasonable. Chihuahua - also conniving and manipulative, to say nothing of her convincingly awful actress Linda Darnell. It is a beautifully shot movie, but the script is underwhelming.
Rated 23 Oct 2007
98
98th
This could very well be my favorite Ford film from a purely visual standpoint. His use of space, his framing of the camera, the use of lighting in the frame, all of it works beautifully and all of it seems to have an inherent purpose. This is confident, top-notch filmmaking from a master of cinema.
Rated 22 Sep 2014
74
93rd
[rating is for the UCLA pre-release cut restoration].
Rated 17 Apr 2007
90
92nd
# 92
Rated 11 Nov 2013
89
80th
Henry, Henry, Heen-reee Fonda! He gives the perfect impersonation of the rough man who can face up to just about anything, from gun slings to public dances with a lady. other than that - nicely drawn characters, what can i say
Rated 17 Jul 2011
75
79th
The pace upto the inevitable gun fight is excellent, but the gun fight it self leaves a lot to be desired.
Rated 27 Jan 2019
40
10th
As Doc Holliday slowly coughed himself to death, I was dying of boredom.
Rated 17 Jun 2007
80
61st
I liked this quite a bit, but for some reason it didn't really wow me. Maybe it's having seen Tombstone first, but I couldn't help feeling that a bunch of stuff was missing and the relationships were underdeveloped. What is there is great though: the feel of Tombstone, the acting, the pacing of the story all work to make this enjoyable.
Rated 01 Mar 2008
96
93rd
# 86
Rated 24 Mar 2013
26
87th
Purportedly about the O.K. Corral legend, what emerges is a warm yet craggy portrait of Tombstone, AZ. Oh there's drinking, gambling, and guns, but there's also the rare thrill of the traveling theater show and the serenity found in a Sunday morning. Henry Fonda's Wyatt Earp is a heroic yet bashful lead, but Victor Mature's Doc Holliday, a decrepit burnout just waiting to die, appeals to me more. It ends with a hesitant kiss then a long road leading away mixed with the fragile promise of return.
Rated 17 Mar 2015
75
68th
Marks the shift from studio aesthetics to a more neo-realist style in westerns, at least for me... A slower attitude than the majority of the action-based westerns which opens space for dramatic build-up of ambivalent father-son relation bewteen Doc and Wyatt Earp. And unfortunately as a misogynistic attitude the "cheap girl" Chihuahua is punished for her "vice" but Valentine is rewarded for her "virtue", representing the civilization.
Rated 09 Dec 2010
90
96th
Mythic frontier western at its best.
Rated 01 Sep 2018
78
58th
The first film to combine Western mythology with the best elements of film noir: Chiarascuro lighting, morally ambiguous heroes, femme fatales and a brooding and tense atmosphere throughout. Even it's narrative leans more towards crime-drama than period film at many points. Its inherent noiriness makes it feel much more mature than most earlier Westerns, unfortunately, like most Westerns of its time, its racist and colonial attitudes towards Native-Americans brings it down a few notches.
Rated 01 Feb 2019
75
85th
This is a beautifully shot, extremely well acted movie that is a great watch as both a western and as a drama. The only real downside to this film is the multiple music numbers which I found to be out of place. Also while Henry Fonda was great in the role he didn't look anything like the description of Wyatt Earp, even his mustache is wrong.
Rated 17 Mar 2016
7
43rd
My Darling Clementine is a product of its time in that it's incredibly dated in style and the finale feels rushed and confused but thanks to excellent performances from Fonda, Brennan and Mature and patient direction and pacing of John Ford it really is a quite enjoyable slow burner.
Rated 31 Jan 2010
94
93rd
A classic western with a great ensemble cast and mythic direction.
Rated 05 Aug 2009
55
34th
I certainly appreciate the technical aspects and acting, but there's nothing about the story here that really captivated me. I personally prefer Tombstone (mainly for Val Kilmer's Doc Holiday, which was very much inspired by this film).
Rated 23 Dec 2022
4
72nd
Could have gone for a 100 hours but cut perfectly to its length
Rated 11 Jan 2012
91
85th
I really should watch this again.
Rated 19 Dec 2008
96
92nd
85
Rated 19 Feb 2024
80
87th
Carries with it the feeling of an effortless, unembellished but rich storytelling. And the gunfight itself is a masterpiece of cinema choreography.
Rated 22 Aug 2011
85
84th
A very sweet and entertaining western that succeeds on every level. The tension, romance and action are balanced wonderfully. Sometimes sacrificing historical accuracy just works.
Rated 16 Apr 2014
8
98th
immediately preceding a tragic shot of a fallen (and Fallen) character's corpse, the camera gently tilts up toward the sky for a mere half-second, the only such shot in the film. ford's eye penetrates beyond the material and historical, beyond even the mythic, into the spiritual. a cinema of the soul.
Rated 06 Dec 2020
64
45th
It feels like this is sort of the foundational movie for what I think of as a classic Western. And most of it is done well, but it's probably a victim of its success in that it just feels too familiar for a movie I've never seen before. I did really enjoy Mature's performance and the photography here.
Rated 16 Aug 2008
100
99th
astoundingly beautiful.
Rated 10 Nov 2013
96
99th
pretty much the perfect 40s western. henry fonda gives a timeless performance, welp
Rated 22 Sep 2013
89
97th
89.000
Rated 21 Nov 2009
50
47th
Demonstrably great film, but if, like me, you aren't fond of westerns, this won't change your mind. Fine camerawork abounds.
Rated 17 Aug 2020
77
95th
Classic western enhanced by Ford's cinematography and Fonda's performance.
Rated 17 Sep 2012
83
88th
Surprisingly dark for a 40s western. I was pretty surprised. And this might be an even better Wyatt Earp story than Tombstone was.
Rated 26 Mar 2013
77
76th
cinayet, serif, kasaba, sigir hirsizligi (Wyatt Earp, üç kardesiyle baraber sigirlarini satmak için yola cikar. Yolda karsilastigi adama yakinlarda su olup olmadigini sorar. adam ise ondan sigirlarini satmasini ister. Earp, ilgilenmedigini söyler. Adama yakinlarda kasaba olup olmadigini sorar. Adam Tombstone'u gösterir. Earp, üç kardesiyle kasabaya gider. diger kardesini sigirlarin basinda birakir. Dödüklerinde kardesi öldürülmüs, sigirlar calinmistir. Cinayeti çözme temasiyla basliyor. Ritm düs
Rated 25 Nov 2014
84
36th
A timeless John Ford western. Henry Fonda at his best!
Rated 06 Apr 2023
90
86th
I consider this as having been personally recommended to me by Col. Sherman Potter, MASH 4077. It's a great one, all right, though there's precious little truth in it. Fonda turns in a top-level performance, with powerful support from the rest of the cast. Walter Brennan plays himself: a real cussed son of a bitch. It comes as a surprize to learn that Victure Mature can actually act. This was 105 minutes well-spent in a world both better and worse than the one we're stuck in today.
Rated 03 May 2009
88
93rd
I find some of Ford's iconic westerns to be held back from unimpeachable greatness by hokeyness and script issues, but this one is just about devoid of that stuff and for me it's probably his greatest film. This is a mature, moody and beautifully done piece of work. Fonda and Mature anchor the film with excellent performances, embodying two American folk heroes with real weight and believability.
Rated 06 Jan 2019
60
35th
Interesting Western that slowly meanders its way into the story (albeit not the "real" story of the OK Corral). It's a good story of revenge and betrayal in different ways, but I wasn't completely wowed by it. Of course, the backgrounds were memorable (as was Fonda's line, "That's me.") I'll definitely try watching this one again to see if my tastes have changed.
Rated 28 May 2013
100
96th
watched: 2013, 2015, 2020
Rated 22 Jul 2010
96
97th
In the company of the best westerns ever made.
Rated 10 Oct 2015
4
52nd
old west mythology that is a tad more palatable this time. probably because it doesn't have john bloody wayne. tense shootout. still racist in the beginning.
Rated 23 Apr 2013
87
79th
Nearly as good as The Searchers, and in many ways, a stronger film. I think the smaller scale of both the production and story works in its favor; it's more nuanced and the tonal shifts are FAR more successful. And goddamn, that lighting.
Rated 29 Mar 2024
74
17th
چارتا داداش میان یه شهری، گلشونو میدزدن
Rated 20 Oct 2017
65
73rd
Pretty good.
Rated 21 Jan 2010
50
18th
Well put-together and visually interesting, but also tremendously boring.
Rated 17 Jan 2011
88
87th
88.375
Rated 06 Mar 2022
100
96th
Fonda is a new sort of man. He represents order through the establishment of consensus and the use of violence as a last resort. By the time the gunfight arrives, this dispute has been settled, and the dispatching of the Clantons is the last step that needs to be taken to make Tombstone the kind of place that Clementine can live in. Fonda moves on ... it's typical in Ford's films that the kind of person that can bring order is not the kind that can stick around to enjoy it.
Rated 18 Dec 2013
74
34th
Most consider this one of Ford's best Westerns, but I found it lacking; whether as a result of the studio's recuts or faults in the original material, it's unevenly paced and underwritten, with Clementine (Cathy Downs) a cipher and Old Man Clanton (Walter Brennan) not much more. But there are many lovely moments, the cinematography is striking, and Henry Ford and Victor Mature respectively make a fine Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. In parts it's brilliant, but it makes a frustrating whole.
Rated 13 Jan 2010
95
90th
95
Rated 01 Dec 2015
75
71st
A more faithful re-telling of these events would have been welcome, since the film lacks energy as a result of its forced romances and shortage of villains. Fonda and Mature are perfectly watchable but not entirely convincing as the iconic duo, with only Brennan feeling entirely suited to his role. Still, it's largely enjoyable, ending with a fine showdown, but the real triumph is the supremely impressive framing and camerawork.
Rated 12 Jun 2022
75
57th
Very solid all around John Ford western, a loose adaptation of the story of Wyatt Earp and the shoot-out at the OK Corral. Good performances by Fonda as Earp, Victor Mature as Doc Holliday, and Linda Darnell as Chihuahua. Walter Brennan is also good, but I would have liked to have seen more of him (though that's the case in almost any movie.) Ford westerns can be a bit hit or miss for me, but this one's a hit.
Rated 28 May 2020
80
99th
Classic western, not surprisingly signed John Ford. I was most impressed with Victor Mature as Doc Holliday. He had that x-factor and as the ill Doc, he brings that edge to the character. Another thing about My Darling Clementine, it has a rather bleak atmosphere. Not the action or the rebelling you'll usually see drive a wild west movie. Humans in the raw, done right. Even Henry Fonda is toned down to a skeleton self as Wyatt Earp, he thus he's as believable as he ever was.
Rated 30 Nov 2011
95
90th
#95
Rated 12 Sep 2022
85
88th
It's just really good, from Fonda and Mature, to the cinematography, to the climax at the OK Corral

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