In 1942 a film TALES OF MANHATTAN told a set of stories that were basically unrelated, but tied together with a suit of men's evening wear. Each story began when the "tails" were passed from one owner (Charles Boyer, for instance) to another (Ceasar Romero). WINCHESTER '73, a superior film, and a great western, has a similar plot twist. Initially it is about how Jimmy Stewart is seeking Stephen (Horace) MacMahon for some deadly grudge. But in the course of the film the two men get into a shooting contest, the prize (given by Marshall Wyatt Earp - Will Geer) being one of the new Winchester rifles. Stewart barely beats out MacMahon, but the gun is stolen from Stewart, and the chase is on.

The gun passes from hand to hand, including John McIntyre (as an arrogant trader who fatally does not know when to stop being arrogant),to Rock Hudson (in a surprising role - and a brief one at that),to Charles Drake, to Dan Duryea (as the delightfully deadly and psychotic Waco Johnny Dean),to MacMahon. Eventually it does return to Stewart.

The film is expertly directed by Anthony Mann. Every character has a wide variety of experiences. Duryea gets the rifle literally over Drake's dead body (Duryea forces the issue). But he loses it to MacMahon, who is faster on the draw - not that Duryea is stupid enough to fight for the rifle. As he and Shelley Winter look at MacMahon in the distance, Winter (who watched Duryea kill her former boy friend Drake) drops her distaste for the gunman momentarily to ask why he put up with MacMahon's bullying for the gun. Philosophically, Duryea explains he can wait. Some opportunity will come up later on (i.e., when he can safely kill MacMahon and get back the rifle).

The characters are remarkably human. Winters first appears as the future bride of Drake, but she sees a really big negative side to him - an unforgivable side. Drake is aware of this lapse, and it helps lead to his destruction. Other characters have realistic touches, such as J.C. Flippen as an army sergeant who fights an Indian attack with Steward and Steward's friend Millard Mitchell. Oh yes, and with Flippen's fellow soldier - Tony Curtis. Flippen makes one believe this soldier has been on a hundred battlefields before, since 1861 probably. Steward had showed emotions in other films. In IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE he showed a degree of anger at times, and also a near nervous breakdown when he thinks everything is wrong with his life. But here he showed a demonic anger - at the expense of a surprised Duryea (who normally would show such anger himself).

The parts of this film fit very neatly together, under Mann's competent hands. This is one western that never wears out, as the audience watches the travels of a Winchester rifle.

This is one of Jimmy Stewart's earliest westerns, having made a string of them from early through mid 1950s. All featured sprawling on-location cinematography and excellent acting--as the studios provided him with excellent supporting casts and decent plots.

As far as these films go, this isn't among the best, as the film has several clichés that make it seem a tier below the others in quality. In know this is definitely a pet peeve of mine, but whenever westerns feature such characters as Wyatt Earp, I get a little irritated. He was not that significant a figure in western history and if he'd only done half the things they showed him do in movies, it would have taken 6 lifetimes to cram all the stuff into it!! Plus, this movie also throws Bat Masterson into the mix. Why, I really don't know. I guess at least the film gets some recognition for the most unusual Earp, as it's played by Will Gear of all people! Apart from that silly subplot at the beginning of the film, it's a pretty decent film. It's one of the few Stewart made in black & white, but with excellent acting and suspense, it's not an issue. It's worth seeing but not exactly a classic. Try seeing NAKED SPUR or BEND OF THE RIVER--other Stewart films that feature just a tiny bit better story.

FINALLY--Watch closely for the future stars. Rock Hudson plays, of all people, an Indian chief! Also, later Tony Curtis plays a bit part as a cavalry man--in the credits he's billed as "Anthony Curtis".

As much as I liked Man From Laramie, Winchester 73 is in my opinion even better. I was surprised at how mature this film was, very adult, very intelligent and very moral. This provided a persona different to any other the admirable and ever-versatile Jimmy Stewart has played, a more laconic approach.

The cinematography is absolutely brilliant, and Mann's use of dissolves and fades to black is very effective. Plus the scenery is gorgeous The score is also great if a tad underused, while the script is both intelligent and involving and the story is intriguing, instead of the tale of the gun that won the west it was one of the legendary one in a thousand perfect Winchester. The performances are wonderful, Stewart is brilliant as always, while Shelley Winters and Will Greer give solid turns. Steven McNally is a truly remarkable villain, and one who knows how to sneer brilliantly, and Dan Duryea is wonderfully sarcastic and dangerous.

Overall, not only a really good western but a really good film. 10/10 Bethany Cox