THE FAR COUNTRY [1954] review
April 10, 2009 · Print This Article
The opening image is a glacier (probably not there now) in a sweeping Canadian landscape. This is THE FAR COUNTRY, a very far west, and north, Western starring James Stewart in the lead as the usual trust no one, take care of yourself only, nomadic top dog gunslinger/cowboy.
Stewart’s character has just driven a herd of cattle 500 miles to Seattle where he puts them on a ferry boat to Skagway, Alaska. There are corrupt sheriff founds reason to impound them. Along the way Stewart is helped out by a rich, and of course pretty, woman who has a business relationship with the corrupt sheriff.
The story is just good enough to base Stewart’s scene chewing on mixed with that old style Western comic relief provided by Walter Brennan’s character, the same one he played in RIO BRAVO. Corinne Calvet also plays a spunky German girl who fancies Stewart. She is innocent and caring, a nice contrast to the harsh men (and women) that decorate the rest of the screen.
This is not an outstanding or original Western by any means, but it does get some originality credit for being set in Alaska and the Yukon. The acting is good and the corrupt sheriff in particular is a pleasure every time he is on screen. I loved how he causally said he was going to hang people–to their face!
The score, when used, adds sweeping touches to the alpine landscapes.
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