John Ford’s acclaimed film The Man Who Shot Liberty...

John Ford’s acclaimed film The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) is well-known among cinema buffs and historians to have emerged out of a brutal, often contentious process. Tension between the lead actors, as well as tension between the actors and the director, spawned some of the best behind the scenes stories of on-set rivalry and outright pettiness that still circulate in an industry that is primarily built on controversy and rumor. The film itself must be regarded as a masterpiece. This assessment is due in part to the brilliant performances by the cast and also in part to an elegant, carefully crafted script. That said; one of the main reasons that the film distinguishes itself above many of ford’s other brilliant films is due to†¦show more content†¦This image is itself, an indication that the film intends to deal with a clash of ages or civilizations within the context of American history. The train station and train are symbols for the conquering of the West and the industrialization of America. In other words, the film expresses important ideas about the age-old theme of progress versus tradition, as well as society versus the individual. The central question of the film is whether or not the kind of frontier justice of the West, which was built on gun-fighting and local law enforcement, was adaptable to the modern age. The character of Ransom Ranse Stoddard (James Stewart) symbolizes the transition of American society by earning his fame as a politician. The true frontiersman, Tom Doniphon (John Wayne), suffers a drastically different fate. Despite being the man who actually shot Liberty Valance, Doniphon remains unknown to fame. This is Ford’s way of communicating to the audience that those who are in power in our society are often in power through no power of their own. Also that the true spirit of America resides in the common man, rather than in the man who is celebrated and attains social power and influence. Given these facts, the film can be seen as a cautionary tale considering the present-day homogenization of culture. With an increase in social conformity comes a decrease in personal morality. This is shown by the