Winchester '73 (1950)

100% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(4,991 ratings)

Lin McAdam (James Stewart) and his friend High-Spade (Millard Mitchell) arrive in Dodge City for a shooting contest, in which the prize is a perfectly manufactured Winchester repeating rifle, referred to as "One of a Thousand" -- a gun so fine that Winchester won't sell it. Lin runs across Dutch… More Lin McAdam (James Stewart) and his friend High-Spade (Millard Mitchell) arrive in Dodge City for a shooting contest, in which the prize is a perfectly manufactured Winchester repeating rifle, referred to as "One of a Thousand" -- a gun so fine that Winchester won't sell it. Lin runs across Dutch Henry Brown (Stephen McNally) in a saloon and the two would kill each other right there but for the fact that town marshal Wyatt Earp (Will Geer) has everyone's guns. Lin wins the rifle in an extraordinary marksmanship match-up with Brown, but the latter steals the prize from him and sets out across the desert. Thus begins a battle of wits and nerves, and a pursuit to the death. The roots and raw psychological dimensions of that chase are only exposed gradually, across a story arc that includes references to Custer's Last Stand, run-ins with marauding Indians, a heroic stand with a a shady but well-intentioned grifter (Charles Drake), and a meeting with murderous sociopath named Waco Johnny Dean (Dan Duryea), plus a romantic encounter with a young, golden-hearted frontier woman (Shelley Winters). All of these story lines eventually get drawn together neatly and gracefully by director Anthony Mann, who balances the violence of the events with a lyrical, almost poetic visual language. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 22 min.
Directed By: Anthony Mann
Written By: Robert L. Richards, Borden Chase
Genres: Western, Classics

In Theaters: Jul 12, 1950 Wide
On DVD: May 6, 2003

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Stewart brings real flavor and appeal to the role of Lin, in a lean, concentrated portrayal.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
A frisky, fast-moving, funny Western in which a rifle is the apple of a cowboy's eye.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The final shoot-out remains a classic study in mise-en-scene, as Mann transforms a jagged landscape into a highly charged psychological battleground.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
Winchester '73 is simply one of the finest Westerns ever made, in a class with the best of Ford and Hawks.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
The ruthless scraping of the Western's heroic veneer is Anthony Mann's stroke of genius
David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com
Every bit the classic its reputation suggests.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The first collaboration between director Mann and actor Stewart, a team that would create a series of superior westerns that added a new, psychological dimension to the genre.
, Time Out
Mann's first film with James Stewart, with whom he was to make a series of classic Westerns, this offers the clearest example of Mann's use of the revenge plot.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
At one time, the phrase 'action director' didn't mean a technician who knew how to stage the biggest explosions. It meant someone who understood the psychology of action, the reasons behind it.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
One of the truly great Westerns, directed and acted with flawless skill in the old style.
Bryant Frazer, Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus
Jimmy Stewart's performance is tinged with desperation and dementia -- the work of a great actor discovering a new boldness inside.
James Jennings, Film4
James Stewart's driven, neurotic portrayal is one of many highlights in this seminal revenge western.

Read all 12 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Josh M

Winchester 73 is one of those perfect classic Westerns (High Noon, The Searchers, Stagecoach, etc.) that never disappoints or lets up from the moment you pop in the disc. The depth and complexity of James Stewart's performance is the star here, but for me, film noir auteur… More
Winchester 73 is one of those perfect classic Westerns (High Noon, The Searchers, Stagecoach, etc.) that never disappoints or lets up from the moment you pop in the disc. The depth and complexity of James Stewart's performance is the star here, but for me, film noir auteur Anthony Mann's textured, high contrast black and white photography is a runner up, especially in the night scenes, which have the haunting and three dimensional glowing quality of the best film noir classics. Thirdly, the perfectly cast cracker jack supporting players, all hold the screen with the masterful Stewart in his prime, full of veterans like Grandpa Walton (Will Geer), and newcomers circa 1950 like Shelly Winters, Tony Curtis and Rock Hudson. The script is subtle using natural, conversational dialogue. The acting style matches the script to a t, with almost Stanislavski-esque performance 'method' . Don't expect the wacky buddy comedy or over the top cackling villainy of some of the other later day (post WWII) Westerns. It's a well told story that wraps up perfectly and takes its time to make its big shocking revelation, adding resonance to the tragic wrenching conclusion. The 93 minutes fly by with the wall to wall excellence on display here.
Kyle F

Winchester 73 is fine, light-hearted fun. Full of charismatic performances and a simple but functional story, it never fails to please or entertain, even if it's not exactly riveting.
Ken S

This movie is better than losing your virginity<br/><br/>I mean seriously who knew Jimmy Stewart kicked so much ass
xGary X

James Stewart and Anthony Mann made a few quality westerns together, and this is probably the best of them. This film has everything a western could want and more; Stewart is in full bad-ass mode as he hunts down the man who killed his father. It starts off with a sharp-shooting… More
James Stewart and Anthony Mann made a few quality westerns together, and this is probably the best of them. This film has everything a western could want and more; Stewart is in full bad-ass mode as he hunts down the man who killed his father. It starts off with a sharp-shooting tournament overseen by an unusually machismo free and jovial Wyatt Earp (nicely played by Will Geer) and goes onto an encounter with a cardsharp, an Indian war party, a sassy music hall girl, a Stagecoach-style cavalry siege, a gunslinger heading a ruthless gang AND a bank robbery; all cleverly linked by the ownership of the eponymous rifle. The plot is by it's very nature rather episodic, but the performances are all first rate (including cameos by Rock Hudson and Tony Curtis in early roles) and the high contrast black & white photography very effective. A minor classic of the genre.
Michael G

I'm not a big fan of westerns, but this was great.
Matthew Y

This film started as unprecedented run of quality westerns from Anthony Mann and James Stewart. Though The Naked Spur and The Man From Laramie are also considerations for best westerns ever made, Winchester '73 stands high as the best of the bunch. The film cleverly follows the… More
This film started as unprecedented run of quality westerns from Anthony Mann and James Stewart. Though The Naked Spur and The Man From Laramie are also considerations for best westerns ever made, Winchester '73 stands high as the best of the bunch. The film cleverly follows the Winchester '73 (the gun that won the west) as it trades hands from one unfortunate soul to the next. The revelations of out protagonist and antagonist at the end of the film and genuine and never ring false. A powerful classic western.
Jonny C

Great western. James Stewart is excellent as a gunman, seeking revenge over the death of his father. Winchester '73 has all the ingredients for a great western, with gunfights, Indians, chases, great cinematography, a foxy lady, a bank robbery, and a nasty villain.So satisfaction… More
Great western. James Stewart is excellent as a gunman, seeking revenge over the death of his father. Winchester '73 has all the ingredients for a great western, with gunfights, Indians, chases, great cinematography, a foxy lady, a bank robbery, and a nasty villain.So satisfaction guaranteed.
Jared H

Very well-made, gritty western...but it probably won't be as memorable as I would like it to be...
Dimitris S

Classic western,Stewart appears as a new iconic symbol moving to the group of the many heroic western film figures,what about Anthony Mann?The stellar thing with this guy is he adores grand occasions.Epic form.And that is a novelty for the Far West genre.
Anthony V

When Anthony Mann and James Stewart get together for a western, hold on to your hats.
Barry L

I loved James Stweart movies...shame about the death bit.

Read all 11 featured audience ratings

Cast

            James Stewart as Lin McAdam

            Shelley Winters as Lola Manners

            Dan Duryea as Waco Johnny Dean the Kansas Kid

            Stephen McNally as Dutch Henry Brown

            Charles Drake as Steve Miller

            Rock Hudson as Young Bull

            Tony Curtis as Doan

            Millard Mitchell as Johnny "High Spade" Williams

            John McIntire as Joe Lamont

            Jay C. Flippen as Sgt. Wilkes

            John Alexander as Jack Riker

            Steve Brodie as Wesley

            James Millican as Wheeler

            Abner Biberman as Latigo Means

            James Best as Crator

            Bob Anderson as Basset

            Mel Archer as Bartender

            Ray Bennett as Charles Bender

            Frank Chase as Cavalryman

            Edmund Cobb as Target watcher

            Frank Conlan as Clerk

            Steven Darrell as Bat Masterson

            John Doucette as Roan Daley

            John War Eagle as Indian interpreter

            Ethan Laidlaw as Station master

            Ted Mapes as Bartender

            Gregg Martell as Mossman

            Virginia Mullen as Mrs. Jameson

            Larry Olsen as Boy at Rifle Shoot

            Bud Osborne as Man

            Chuck Roberson as Long Tom

            Forrest Taylor as Target Clerk

            Ray Teal as Marshal Noonan

            Guy Wilkerson as Virgil

            Chief Yowlachie as Indian

            Carol Henry as Dudeen

            Tim Hawkins as Boy at Rifle Shoot

            Bonnie Kay Eddy as Betty Jameson

            Bill McKenzie as Boy at Rifle Shoot

            Tony Taylor as Boy

            Will Geer as Wyatt Earp
See full cast

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