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• The Westerner

  • Dashiell B.
  • 3/14/13

  An entertaining Western from the outstanding team of producer Goldwyn & director Wyler. Brennan overshadows Cooper as the real-life Judge Roy Bean, becoming the first actor to win three Academy Awards. The story is compelling, but drags in the first half, the recreation of Texas in the Old West is amazing. A good Western to see for fans of Cooper. I give it a 4/5.

• Not factual but still good film...

  • RedRain
  • 2/27/13

  Man, did they ever take artistic license with this one! Roy Bean died peacefully in his own bed and was never shot to death by anyone. Wyler knew this but continued on with the film. I find that unforgivable when filming a story about a real-life person. I also do not understand why Brennan wasn't nominated for Best Actor, instead of Supporting Actor, as this film is entirely about his character which he portrayed superbly. My guess is that it was because of Gary Cooper, a huge star at the time, who acted in this film under written protest. In his protest letter, Cooper even recognized his part would be eclipsed by that of Brennan's! Just more proof that the studio system ruled the Academy Awards at the time! Disgusting error by the Academy!

• The Bad and the Beautiful?

  • Ann Brown
  • 5/8/08

  Judge Bean (Walter Brennan) and the cowboy (Gary Cooper) have the sort of chemistry best described as "lightening in a bottle." When producer Sam Goldwyn is thrown in the mix we get one of the classiest westerns ever made. Watching Judge Bean and the cowboy try to get the best of each other is a memorable experience to repeat over and over again. Don't miss this film which is truly classic in every way.

• westerner

  • Antionette
  • 8/21/07

  Gary cooper is the greatist actor of all times. He makes the western movies,they didnt make him!!

• This 1940 version a must see and must own.

  • Pat
  • 5/23/07

  I saw it again for the very first time a few weeks ago. The acting is superb! I understand Walter Brennen got an oscar. Gary Cooper and Walter Brennen played so well off one another's characters. The writing is great, too. Great lines like, "I once had a pet rattlesnake, but I would never turn my back on him." Walter Brennen plays the pet rattlesnake, Judge Roy Bean. He's mean and he's nuts. It's an amazing physcological western. I have ordered this movie from another source on VHS. I just had to have it.

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