The Far Country

This article is about a film. For the Nevil Shute novel of the same name, see The Far Country (1952 novel).

The Far Country
film poster by Reynold Brown
Directed by	Anthony Mann
Produced by	Aaron Rosenberg
Written by	Borden Chase
Starring	James Stewart Ruth Roman Walter Brennan Jay C. Flippen John McIntire
Music by	Milton Rosen Henry Mancini Hans J. Salter
Cinematography	William H. Daniels
Editing by	Russell F. Schoengarth
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date(s)	July 22, 1954 (London, UK), February 12, 1955 (USA) runtime = 97 min.
Language	English

The Far Country is a 1954 American western movie directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart in their fourth western collaboration. It is one of a handful of Westerns, along with North to Alaska, to be set (not filmed) in Alaska.

Plot

from the trailer with Jack Elam

In 1896, Jeff Webster (James Stewart) hears of the Klondike gold rush and he and friend Ben Tatum (Walter Brennan) decide to drive a herd of cattle to Dawson City. On the way, he annoys self-appointed Skagway judge Gannon (John McIntire) by interrupting a hanging, so the "lawman" confiscates his herd. Jeff and Ben steal the animals back and take off with Gannon and his men in hot pursuit. After crossing the border into Canada, Jeff uses a few well-placed warning shots to persuade Gannon's gang to give up the chase, but the judge promises a hot reception when Jeff returns.

When Jeff gets to Dawson, he finds widespread (though relatively peaceful) lawlessness, and ignores it as none of his business. He auctions off his herd to new arrival Ronda Castle (Ruth Roman), one of Gannon's business associates, when she outbids Hominy (Connie Gilchrist), Grits (Kathleen Freeman) and Molasses (Connie Van), co-owners of the local hash house. Both Ronda and French-Canadian gamine Renee Vallon (Corinne Calvet) are strongly attracted to Jeff.

Ronda sets up a saloon in partnership with Gannon and begins cheating the miners out of their claims. Gannon and his gunmen show up to grab their share (and then some), making Dawson much more dangerous. Jeff stays out of it, instead planning to sneak out by river while Gannon is otherwise occupied. However, Gannon is tipped off when Ben buys extra coffee for the long trip; his men kill Ben and wound Jeff, finally forcing him to take sides.

Jeff calls Gannon out to settle the dispute man to man, but the villain arranges an ambush. Ronda rushes out to warn Jeff and is fatally shot in the back. Jeff kills Gannon in the ensuing gunfight and the rest of his gang surrender to the fed-up longtime residents.

Historical background

The character of Gannon may be loosely based on that of Soapy Smith, a confidence artist and gang leader who ran the town of Skagway during the Alaska Gold Rush. He was killed in a gunfight, although not as shown in the movie.

James Stewart and Anthony Mann

James Stewart starred in five classic western movies by director Anthony Mann. In all five, he plays a man who is haunted by the past. In every movie Stewart wore the same hat and rode the same horse. The films are famous for their groundbreaking use of the landscape to portray the characters' feelings.

• Winchester '73 (1950)
• Bend of the River (1952)
• The Naked Spur (1953)
• The Far Country (1954)
• The Man from Laramie (1955)

Cast

Ruth Roman and James Stewart in the trailer

• James Stewart as Jeff Webster
• Ruth Roman as Ronda Castle
• Walter Brennan as Ben Tatum
• Corinne Calvet as Renee Vallon
• John McIntire as judge Gannon
• Jay C. Flippen as Marshal Rube Morris
• Harry Morgan as Ketchum

External links

• The Far Country at the Internet Movie Database
• The Far Country at the TCM Movie Database