Two Rode Together

Much more realistic western than in earlier decades. The town marshal, who gets involved in recovering captured white folks from the Comanches, is so far from Dudley Do-Right that you can easily see him getting hissed off the screen if he was played by anyone other than James Stewart. Also you could have a much more politically incorrect portrayal of Native Americans back then than today, which is a feature rather than a bug IMHO. Ford directs with his usual superb craftsmanship

Enjoyed this late film from Ford. The lynching scene is brilliantly edited, full of forward motion and pathos. The idea of mixed breeding is more clearly, realistically, and therefore grimly explored here than in earlier films. The title seems to have multiple referents and combinations, each with their own theme or connecting point. The dance, typical in a Ford film, is used brilliantly here to subvert his common point about community togetherness.

"Major, you have a very fine jail here." "I thought you'd appreciate it." Look, Jim and Marty are just the best couple. This movie made me laugh a lot of times and it just works. The characters are very memorable for the most part and the different sides of Widmark and Stewart play off each other well. I enjoyed it, even if it's not perfect.

Viewed April 18, 2021.

# 854

Transitional Ford acts as a bridge linking The Searchers to Liberty Valance. Unfortunately, Stewart is not totally convincing playing against type as a bit of a 'hard arse', and he is surprisingly bad in a few scenes. The humour also falls flat, which is rather typical of Ford but proves more damaging here than usual. Attempts to 'right the wrongs' of the past regarding the treatment of Native Americans, but it drops the ball by raising more questions than it proves capable of asking.

One of the weakest of the Ford Westerns, but it is still Ford. Widmark and Stewart plays this so broadly that Andy Devine's performance almost seems restrained by comparison.

Late-period Ford that plays on many of the tropes and themes he's explored in previous film, in some cases subverting them. It's also maybe his funniest film.

This late Ford Western about the ransom of longtime Comanche captives and their reintegration into society, touches in a very a very cynical way interesting points about identity, prejudices, racism and social acceptance. Unfortunate the examination thereof is intercut with dispensable comic relief and the obligatory romantic subplots. Highlights of the movie are the scenes with Stewart and Widmark bantering, because Stewart, even on autopilot, and Widmark are so far above the rest.

61.500

Could have been a fascinating take on the western which combined humour with serious drama but the tonal shifts are far too jarring.

James Stewart's first feature with John Ford is unexpectedly funny, but I just don't know if I appreciate its uncompromise.

The film has moments of realism, then it boarders on the ridiculous. Really love how it handles racism and prejudice in a 1960's western.

10 març 2012? - Crec que no n'havia vist mai cap de sencera del Ford. Ritme plàcid, converses disteses i teatrals, ben trabades. Desenllaç particular. Prou interessant amb les seves tonterietes i envelliment.

McCabe is a mean bastard, but society is meaner. This is incredibly depressing, more noir than western. Being Ford, it is exquisitely beautiful, but the material here is just so ugly. I am unsure how to feel overall, but I think it could be among Ford's very best films.