Every day, AlloCiné recommends a film to (re)watch on TV. Tonight: a classic western masterpiece.
Oscar-winning filmmaker (with no less than five statuettes for Best Director), and undisputed master of the western, we obviously want to talk about John Ford. Today, spotlight on one of his best films: The Infernal Pursuit.
Released in theaters in 1947, this western takes place in 1882. Four brothers, Wyatt, Virgil, Morgan and James Earp, take their herd west and spend the night near Tombstone. It is here that a tragedy occurs: James is murdered while watching over the camp, while the cattle are stolen.
To avenge the death of his little brother, Wyatt Earp becomes sheriff. On his way, he meets Doc Holliday (Victor Mature), the owner of the saloon, and falls in love with his fiancée, the lovely and young Clémentine Carter (Cathy Downs)… Hence the original title of the feature film “My Darling Clementine.”
And who better to play this big brother thirsty for revenge than the immense American actor Henry Fonda (Once Upon a Time in the West, Twelve Angry Men, My Name is Nobody)?
A western of excellence
Despite strong competition, The Infernal Pursuit remains one of the best westerns that revisit the legend of Wyatt Earp. And among the other great classics that pay homage to the famous vigilante, there is Wyatt Earp by Lawrence Kasdan with Kevin Costner, The Eagle of the Borders by Allan Dwan with Randolph Scott, or even Tombstone by George Pan Cosmato with Kurt Russell.
And who says John Ford at the helm, obviously says Monument Valley as the setting. As a reminder, he directed no less than seven westerns in the heart of this incredible natural site (The Fantastic Ride, Fort Apache, The Heroic Charge, The Prisoner of the Desert, The Black Sergeant, and The Cheyennes).
As usual, John Ford delivers impeccable staging, sublime black and white photography, breathtaking tension, cult music by Alfred Newman, without forgetting a memorable final scene (which, moreover, could have been totally different). From the big John Ford how we love it!
Tonight on Arte at 9:00 p.m.
