vincentlynch-moonoi Jimmy Stewart was one of the more versatile leading men of his era. Light comedy, heavy drama, Westerns, biographies. You name it, he could do it. But that didn't mean that his characters were always very likable. Sure, there were the George Bailey types and the Ransom Stoddard types. But sometimes Stewart played the not so nice guys -- the antiheroes. Personally, I don't like that Stewart so much...and that's what he is here in "The Far Country". Maybe Stewart had to do it since, in reality, he was apparently such a nice guy, so he needed to sometimes fight against the kind of character that represented who he actually was. The only reason to root for Stewart's character here is because he's better than the really bad guys. Nevertheless, he lets people down -- or wants to -- over and over.The big star here is the gorgeous scenery from Banff to Jasper in the Canadian Rockies. Unfortunately, the film has not been restored,, and it's not half as beautiful in the film as if the Technicolor were refreshed.The wonderful Walter Brennan is here as sidekick...at least he lives through most of the film. Ruth Roman is good as a saloon owner who is torn between the real bad guy (John McIntire and Jimmy Stewart). Corinne Calvet...why? She was more at place with Martin & Lewis. John McIntire is superb as the bad guy; a much underrated character actor. Jay C. Flippen is also here.Of course, just before the end of the film, Jimmy Stewart's character has a change of heart. And becomes the hero. Sell, too late for me to emphasize with the character; too many bodies washed under the bridge. So, no, I don't admire this Jimmy Stewart film...at least in terms of Jimmy Stewart's character.For me, thumbs down. A rare decision for me when it comes to a Jimmy Stewart film.

Robert W. And so begins my quest to watch each and every Jimmy Stewart film I can get my hands on. I'm just in love with the man and I think he was a master, a true master, of his craft. It helps that I also grew into a love of Westerns in the last ten years. At first The Far Country wasn't appealing to me but by the time it wrapped, I was completely entertained and really enjoyed the story. I do understand why it didn't appeal to me immediately though. The characters aren't quite as vibrant as some of the better Westerns, its a little bit of a different setting being set amidst the mountains and the gold rush. Ironically it turned out the movie is very character driven and while you may find Jimmy Stewart's hard edged turn as Jeff Webster a little jarring at first, his charisma and the story will win you over. It isn't the best Western I've seen of his or any other but it fits the bill and adds something a little different to the tried and true genre and that's never a bad thing. Its an adventure, epic in nature and certainly well worth your time. I regarded it highly when it was done and thinking of it now, it is growing on me even more and that marks a well made film.I realized after branching out from seeing Jimmy Stewart in It's A Wonderful Life that it turns out he was an incredibly versatile actor. His portrayal in this film is a guy who is really sort of unlikable. He is hard edged, rough, and even mean at times. He cares for himself and not much of anyone else. I'm still not sure how to accept a particular scene where he sends a group of people into literally life threatening danger from an avalanche. But that is indeed the character and he pulls it off. You don't even really see him get redemption in the end but rather soften slightly. Regardless Stewart is mesmerizing as he almost always is. The legendary Walter Brennan is a vital character to this story. He is Stewart's weak spot. He's the one other person that Jeff Webster actually cares about and even then he's ready to cast him off. Brennan does what he does best as an old frontiersman and father figure that you quickly fall for with his slow talk and adorable giggle. Its a bit of a predictable character but so important and Brennan is great at it. Stewart and Brennan have great chemistry together and watching two legends is always fun to do. Ruth Roman is decent as the tough as nails frontier woman who catches Stewart's attention. I felt like her character was very by the book and a little predictable and perhaps even under developed. By the end of her character arc I felt like they were trying to force you to feel empathy for her but it wasn't quite there. Corinne Calvet was also strangely used. Her character was almost annoying, unnecessary and almost in the way of the story and the rest of the cast. John McIntire is our villain and this is another real issue I had with this particular Western. A great villain is essential to any great film and that goes double for Westerns. McIntire was understated and didn't really stand out enough to be a viable antagonist for our anti-hero. The land around them and the time period was more villainous to them then McIntire appeared to be in his role.The landscape for The Far Country is beautiful, certainly cinematography plays a huge part in the feel of this film and they get it down very well. Thanks to that aspect, a decent story and Stewart the film is as good as it is. Outside of that I feel like there were some significant shortcomings by the film makers. I'm not entirely familiar with director Anthony Mann's work but this didn't impress me as far as his ability to really make the film stand out. It had some really good aspects (as I covered) but the shortcomings hold it back for me from being a truly outstanding entry in the Western genre. Regardless, I enjoyed it a lot, had a good time and will certainly watch it again. It isn't one I had heard of before and simply grabbed it from a bargain bin when I saw Jimmy Stewart's face on it. Its well worth the time but doesn't stand up to legendary classics in the same genre. 7.5/10

AaronCapenBanner Jimmy Stewart plays Jeff Webster, a loner and bachelor who, along with his sidekick/business partner Ben Tatum(played by Walter Brennan) takes a herd of cattle by ship from Wyoming to Seattle. He encounters crooked lawman named Gannon(played by John McIntire) but still proceeds through with his route to the Klondike region, where he hopes to sell his beef for a sizable profit, though, when he does arrive, decides to prospect for gold himself. The nearby town of Dawson has an increasing amount of lawlessness, which doesn't bother Jeff until it hits him personally...Disappointing western can't measure up to either of the previous films with director Anthony Mann and star Jimmy Stewart. Result is a predictable and routine film of little interest, though everyone involved does try at least, and film isn't bad, but is unmemorable.

Tweekums When this film starts Jeff Webster has already driven his heard of cattle from Wyoming to Seattle and has clearly had some trouble on the way as he is accused of murder just as the steamer is leaving for Skagway, Alaska. Luckily for him the ship has cast off and he manages to hide away till they reach their destination. Things go wrong here though as he has a run in with the corrupt self-appointed Judge Gannon. The judge confiscates his cattle on a trumped up charge forcing Webster to find work helping local business woman Ronda Castle move her supplies to Dawson in Canada's Yukon Territory. He doesn't go far before turning back and liberating his cattle and taking them over the border and out of Gannon's jurisdiction. Once they complete the difficult journey to Dawson he sells his cattle and buys a stake in the Klondike valley to try his hand at gold panning. After a number of prospectors have been murdered and robbed on the trail back to Skagway he decides to take an alternate route to Juneau; unfortunately his partner was less than discrete and the get bushwhacked by men working for Gannon, who has now moved to Dawson with the intention of stealing the prospectors' claims. As Webster recovers he has to make a decision; does he leave town or does he help the people stand up to Gannon and his hired guns? This was a fine western that quickly caught my interest as the hero wasn't the typical selfless character I had expected; indeed he frequently said he didn't see much point in helping others, more than once avoided a gunfight and at one point it looked as though he'd been killed. Inevitably by the end that changed after all you can only push a man so far! James Stewart put in a fine performance as Webster and was ably supported by Ruth Roman who played Ronda Castle and John McIntire who played Gannon. Fan's of the TV series M*A*S*H will no doubt be pleased to spot Harry 'Col Potter' Morgan who has a small role as one of Gannon's henchmen. A good western needs a good villain and this one is no exception; Gannon is both crooked and so bad he'd shoot a woman in the back! As well as a good story there are some good action scenes, including an avalanche and a thrilling final showdown. If you are a fan of Westerns or of James Stewart this film is definitely worth seeing and even if you aren't it passes the time well enough in some beautiful scenery.