I've always thought it was interesting that the villian's name is Liberty, something usually considered good, and the protagonist's name is Ransom, something usually associated with evil.

I'm old enough to remember when "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" was released. Great breakdown of a great movie. John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart & Lee Marvin all in the same film! Wow, too bad we don't have anyone these days who even comes close to these three giants.

Very well done! In analyzing and describing this scene you've made me appreciate the director's art in a way I've not considered before. Thanks.

I saw the movie when it came out as a kid. The song Man Who Shot Liberty Valance was on the AM radio, there was no FM to speak of yet. I didn't realize until I saw it many years later that it's one of the best westerns ever made.

I hated expository writing in high school. I felt like we were asked to take good stories and tear them apart. Today, I can appreciate an exploration such as yours. I still feel the old resentment, sure; however, I've come to appreciate storytelling in all its forms and I see the value in searching for what may lie deeper. Real life can be seen as a combination of pretense and substance. So, I thank you for this glimpse you pulled together so well.

Duke has always been my favorite actor. I have dozens of his films and still enjoy watching them today. He had a screen presence like no other. RIP Duke.

Lee Van Cleefs no dummy. He grabbed the bottle before they split.

I stumbled across this scene on KZfaq a couple of days ago, and was fascinated by it. Then...I stumbled across your analysis of it...and was extremely impressed with your description of what the director was doing. I don't want to sound naïve...but, I didn't realize director's could introduce such subtlety into a scene that way. I can see how such masterful work by the Director enhances our understanding and enjoyment of the film/scene. Clearly...these things work on our mind...even if only subconsciously. I'm impressed by your analysis, and enjoyed it very much. I'm going to check out your channel, and I'm sure I will learn a lot...even about some of my favorite films.

Holy cow, this is a great analysis.

I've never heard such an excellent analogy. The points you mentioned would have been easily overlooked as just part of their great acting skills - but you defined each movement like a finely choreographed exposé. You brought out emotional aspects that solidify a person's attention.

The last of the John Wayne movies I saw. I didn't discover this one until I was 35! I don't know how I missed it. I remember I stumbled across it on Turner back in 1996, late at night, when in two days I was getting ready to start a pretty big adventure (change of career). I recall telling my late mom I was hungry (which I never did because she'd always zoom into a flurry of food-related activity, beyond what was needed) and she slammed some eggs and grits together and I recall eating it all while watching this wonderful flick. I couldn't get over how I'd never seen it before. The doctor "tending" to Liberty probably my favorite scene!

I clapped for your analysis. I always had a strong feeling towards this scene, not only for the epic showdown between the 2 titans of the old west, but for this disturbing element that is Ranson. I adore the image that picking up the steak puts an end to the uncivilized and old west, made much stronger by your analysis of the pole that divides the scene.

Ford knew how to frame a picture. I wonder how long it took to shoot with all those cut aways. Nice analysis.BTW That was Strother Martin and Lee Van Cleef as Liberty's henchmen. Lee was one of Frank Miller's henchmen in High Noon.

Excellent expose on a scene from one of the greatest westerns of all time. The steak scene was always a favorite of mine as well. Your insight showed brilliance in relaying Ford's creative & keen direction.

Get this!!! I am 59 years old. Never seen this movie until today. WOW!!!! WHAT A MOVIE!!!!

Love it! This scene is also one of my favorites! Your analysis is spot on! You’ve even pointed things out that I hadn’t really noticed, and I’ve watched this movie many times! Thank you so much for sharing your perspective! ☮️🖖🏽

What an enjoyable analysis of a wonderful film! Thank you for creating and posting!

Excellent analysis. .. John Ford was a true Master of his craft.

Fascinating break down of the scene. Thank you for posting

Enjoyable and informative analysis of the scene. Brings home, how a great director such as John Ford, can cleverly and subtly bring so much information and power to a scene.

Excellent analysis of a master film maker's art.

I love this movie, and this scene, it looks like Wayne, Stewart and Lee Marvin are competing and enjoying every second of it....

brilliant analysis

John Ford was a great filmmaker

Excellent analysis!

Wonderful & heartfelt essay. This is a truly timeless movie filled with magnificent actors.

I enjoyed this video, well done and skillfully narrated. Provides a new perspective on an old classic.

This was a really good analysis. Thanks!

Thank you for your comprehensive breakdown of the scene/staging. We probably unconsciously take in what you have pointed out, because we've seen so many films that the film 'grammar' is automatically detected.

Wow, that was fascinating! Didn't realize all the subtle aspects that go into framing and composing a motion picture scene!

Thoroughly enjoyed this! A brilliant film.

Best. Analysis. Ever.

Excellent analysis! It makes me wonder how much of this scene was Ford, how much was the camera director, and how much was the film editor. Could Ford have possibly envisioned every nuance discussed in this scene? Hard to say. What do you make of Lee Van Cleef pausing to take a bottle of whiskey with him as they leave the establishment? This was truly John Ford's magnus opus in old age . . . .

I really enjoyed your analysis of the scene I've watched that movie tons of times and while I guess I understood what was going on I maybe didn't realize that there was a purpose to it I guess I assumed that it was a natural response to the actors interchanging with each other. I subscribed because of this video. I also wanted to let you know what you called a bullwhip is really a silver adorned Horse quirt. A bullwhip was much longer and needed to be able to reach from a wagon seat or Stagecoach seat to the stock that was being driven. Quirts many times had a loop that the hand would go through so when both hands were needed the quirt could be dropped from the hand and would ride on the wrist on the leather thong. The quirt was used to whip the horse to greater speed and could also be used to shou flys. Take care Simon

I saw this film at age 12 in a small town of Vernon, BC during a vacation in 1962. It has stayed in my mind ever since that day.

Nice explanation of subtleties that were perhaps seen, but not recognized. I liked it.

If you think that Tom and Liberty are two sides of the same coin you're gravely mistaken, Liberty is a dry gulcher, Tom will look a man in the eye, two completely different personalities.

Amazing analysis. Thank you.

You are really good at this. I always liked Liberty Valance and John Ford. You have given me new ways to watch film.

Great analysis. One of the best westerns ever made.

Great analysis, now to watch the whole film again!

Excellent analysis, well done in all aspects of cinematography and character development.👍

Marvin is terrific in this role. Repulsive, truly contemptible, etc. To make an audience despise you takes talent.

One of my favorite scenes in one of my favorite movies.

The dark knight has the same ending. The man of the law must become the hero while the amoral vigilante is cast down and forgotten.

Dude! That was great. Do some more. Subscribed:)

Probably one of the top 5 westerns of all time. I see a lot of parallels with this and "Unforgiven"

one of t the best movie reviews ever

Wow Wow Wow! What a great analysis!!! I’ve always loved TMWSLV. But I never knew why! The steak seen was always one of my favorites (“Burn me a good one Cookie”) - and you’ve explained why it’s been so impactful. I’ve always seen this film as the “death of the western” - with an anti-hero in Rance, and a questionable hero in Tom - Tom “snipes” LW, he doesn’t go toe-to-tow with him. I’ve always found that unsettling. Amazing Durection - - and Amazing analysis. I’m waiting for Hollywood to make a similar film about the Super Hero genre, which has also run its course. Thank you.

Damn.... I never thought that deeply about the scene.

outstanding!!!! man who shot liberty valence is one of the top 10 westerns of all times and this scene is simply the best one in any western that did not end in a shootout. fantastic directing by john ford and acting by a several outstanding leading men. that does not even count the contributions of the multitude of great character actors (woody strobe, strother martin, lee van cleef among the most obvious (dont forget the characters in the kitchen ....all staples of ford westerns). greatest single shot in any western ever is the one where lee marvin and the duke are on opposite sides of the line you indicated and jimmy stewart was in the middle but I always point out strother martin ("what we have here is a failure to communicate") on the far left of the shot. Martin may have been the best character actor of his generation. Also, If you extended the left of the shot you would also pick up lee van cleef (angel eyes). What an iconic shot!! moreover, it should also be pointed out that the great sergio leone was highly influenced by this movie and there are many contributions from this classic in his equally great "once upon a time in the west" and yes, woody strobe was in both movies. fantastic analysis ....you thoroughly documented many things I had observed and pointed out to others but you went way beyond what I had noted. really enjoyed this

This movie reminds me of the relationship I had with my father. Dad was a bull in a china shop. Never learned to read or write. Swore like a sailor, fought just about anyone. He never taught me how to fight, so I had to learn to use words, and humor. He respected me and also had a competitive streak with me. He was 40 years my elder, it was a complex, and strained relationship.

Great analysis. I have to go and watch the film again.

Nice analysis, subbed. 👍

Valance and Doniphon probably knew they'd eventually have a showdown. The way Valance was actually killed was shameful but true to the real west. The Doniphon character wished that Valance had been killed in an honorable way. He said he could live with it but he couldn't.

And did you notice how the tablecloth is set so carefully with the glasses and napkins juxtaposed in the realm of complete reactionary concern I also noticed how the windows glare as Liberty Valance walked past it almost giving it a careful stare almost to say you don't scare me it's just amazing how carefully these scenes were thought out

Excellent breakdown of the scene. There is so much going on with the scene manipulated by the director that the average viewer often overlooks.

Excellent just excellent commentary and explanation. Very well done sir. I have watched this movie at least 25 times and I now understand it better than ever before! Thank-you Sir for your efforts!

My favorite western and and one of John Wayne's best performances and John Ford's best work maybe. I do cowboy action shooting and my alias is Link Appleyard. I learned how to be a man watching John Wayne and my Dad who was a hard man himself. He went to work in the coal mines at age 11 in 1914. He was a boxer and bare knuckle fighter in local evens for $5.00 a fight in the 1920's. There are no men like that today. America could sure use John Wayne now.

Your analysis is what makes John Ford such a great director.

good job, this was the first movie I saw in the theater with my family. Excellent commentary.

Great analysis

Ever notice that while all the other characters are chowing down on big steaks and spuds Ranse gets served beans and bread in the kitchen?

Great video!

My all time favorite western.

It’s a great scene.

I get the scene building, but the bottom line on all movies is the actor. Faces, voice, simple way they stand you put different people in that same scene, and it won't play right. Just about all the actors were perfectly cast.

Excellent insight, thank you.

Excellent analysis and the narrator gives detailed insights into the art of film.

Really enjoyed this video!

Lee Marvin's moustached henchman is the eventually famous Lee Van Cleef, archvillain of Spaghetti Westerns. And Pompey is college football star Woody Strode, who also appeared in Kirk Douglas' "Spartacus" as Draba, the gladiator who sacrifices himself to save Spartacus.

Really well done. Should do another one on the death of the American Western movie in the 21st century. Really do miss them.

An excellent forensic analysis! Superb acting, actors and very well directed. Even though it was filmed in black and white to me that seems to compliment this overall great, classic movie!

Superb, superb. This analysis is right up there with Ford scholarship by Tag Gallagher, Joseph McBride, Scott Allen Nollen & Scott Eyman. Cheers & Kudos.

Awesome video sir

One of my all time favorite scenes!

You can see the moustached man at 10:02. Comparing this frame with the earlier frame, we get a better picture of the layout of the place and from where the moustached man appears later in the scene.

I was rather young when I first watched this movie. I felt very bad for Tom Doniphon. Several decades later I still feel for him if I happen to watch the film.

Well done sir. My favorite movie. Thanks

Very good. I don't know anything about film direction. Is it possible some of this was done in editing?

Very good analysis. Great movie, saw it years ago.

Excellent; I didn't put together that both guys tripped someone in the scene deliberately as sort of an ante into the game. That's good stuff.

Good job of making me feel stupid. I really enjoy an intelligent look at directing and staging. Thank you very much

An excellent analysis.

1 of my favs.

Great analysis .

My favorite old western movie of all time❤️

Fantastic deconstruction Sir. Please to watch.

This analysis was excellent.

The greatest western ever made. John Ford, Jimmie Stewart, John Wayne, Lee Marvin, such rare talent, at their best. An American classic....an American treasure.

Enjoyed watching this very good analysis. Quite close to my own views with a few differences.

My favorite western, my favorite john ford, and my favorite john wayne film the steak scene is my favorite scene in the movie

Good job. Thanks.

I can’t enjoy this movie again without pausing it and reviewing each shot to see what the director is trying to say! It will take all day to watch it now! I guess I will just go and play golf and drink a beer! Ha! Come on people, life is not that complicated!

Where have you been? This was wonderfully done. It's selfish, but I need more!

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is not the greatest John Ford Western (that goes to The Searchers), but its still a wonderful movie and its a wonderful remolding of the Western that had considerable influence in later films.

I never thought about it this way, wow. Great analysis. Now, can you tell me why I want to dominate any scenario that I am placed in?

Interesting take. Not sure if that is what Ford was doing but it makes sense. Drawing with your back turned is just stupid though as you not only need to draw but also acquire your target while turning. Valence was likely drunk however and wouldn't have thought about that as much as saving face.

Movie making at it's finest! Great analysis!!

Great analysis, no self indulgence which is rare.