The Westerner | 
| Director: William Wyler
Actors: Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Doris Davenport, Fred Stone, Forrest Tucker
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Category: DVD
Buy New: $59.88
New (4) Used (6) from $33.97
Rating:  32 reviews
Sales Rank: 95842
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Italian (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
DVD Layers: 1
DVD Sides: 1
Picture Format: Academy Ratio
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 100 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
ISBN: 6305082367
UPC: 026359066528
EAN: 9786305082361
ASIN: 6305082367
Theatrical Release Date: September 20, 1940
Release Date: September 29, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential video
Having created an instant classic the previous year with their superlative production of Wuthering Heights, producer Samuel Goldwyn, director William Wyler, and cinematographer Gregg Toland reunited for this classic Western from 1940, which earned Walter Brennan his record-setting third Academy Award. Gary Cooper reportedly hesitated to take his role, knowing that Brennan would likely steal the show with his splendid portrayal of "hanging" lawman Judge Roy Bean, but Wyler persisted and Cooper signed on as the drifter who faces Judge Bean under the false accusation of stealing a horse. Cooper smooth-talks his way out of his hanging by claiming to be a close friend of stage star Lily Langtry, with whom the judge is unabashedly smitten, but tensions rise when Cooper comes to the defense of a group of struggling homesteaders that Brennan is trying to drive away. This leads, of course, to a classic showdown in true Western tradition, and under Wyler's able direction The Westerner takes its place among the finest examples of the genre. And while Brennan does indeed steal the show, Cooper needn't have worried--he's every bit the hero in a battle with one of the silver screen's most memorable villains. --Jeff Shannon
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| Customer Reviews: Read 27 more reviews...
 "CUT THE BOB-WAR!" June 22, 2009
Phoebe Stogstill (by the shores of Gitchee Goomie)
This is a great Classic Western that surely almost everyone of a certain age in America has seen. The conflict takes up a chapter in our school history books, The Homesteaders vs The Cattledrivers. We cannot keep but liking Judge Roy Bean, even at his diabolical best as played by Walter Brennan, and this reviewer is "in love" with Gary Cooper, in all of his radient splendor, so he can do no wrong as he plays our hero, Cole Harden. In this movie he is a ramblin' man who has the soul of a peacemaker. He almost gets hanged, gets into several fist fights, as he tries to keep the cattle drivers from destroying the homesteaders, whom he has befriended.
He has even developed a friendship with Judge Roy Bean, the hangin' judge who thinks he has an inside connection with his obsession, Lily Langtry. Acting inside of Acting--no one does this better than Gary Cooper, and I watched in rapt attention at his eyes, facial expressions, and little smiles as he plays Judge Roy Bean like a violyn. He studies the old judge to craft his storylines--knowing just how far he can push it to fenagle Judge Roy in whatever direction he wants him to go in at the time. I was disappointed when he borrowed the lock of hair from the girl (Doris Davenport). I thought it cheap, but it was for a good cause and probably saved many lives, including his own. There are a couple of surprise treats in this film. There is a handsome young homesteader in this film who looks vaguely familiar. It is Forrest Tucker as a young whippersnapper. Likewise, there is a young and vile cattleman that is not too hard on the eyes either. It is Chill Wills. Neither had been shaving for very long. This is a great movie and if you have ever lived in Texas for long, you understand for yourself, the Law West of the Pecos.
Best non-action Western March 8, 2009
S. Hand (Kauai)
This has to be one of the best non-action Westerns made. Like The Searchers there is more on thought than shoot em up. Both Cooper and Walter Brennan are superb in trying to outmanuvere one another for different reasons. Cooper for his life and Brennan for Lilly Langtree (or just a lock of hair). Excellent quiet thought movie with a bang up ending.
 Boring . . . . January 28, 2009
Phyllis Diller (Las Vegas, Nevada United States)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was really excited to get this movie as the overwhelming majority of reviews were all 5 stars. There's no question that this movie is well directed and well acted. HOWEVER, the story prods along at a snails pace and there simply is very little going on . . . Judge Roy Bean has a silly fettish with Lillie Langtree and Cooper plays on that fettish in order to save himself from being hung. The entire movie is mostly dialogue between Cooper and Bean and I found it thoroughly boring. I'm a big fan of westerns -- even those with little action -- but this movie just couldn't hold my interest. I'm really surprised that so many have rated it 4 and 5 stars.
5 reasons why The Westerner is great January 18, 2009
Clinic Pharmacy Larry Auxier (ky,usa)
1)Toland's cinemeotography is the best
2)Walter Brennon is the best,funniest,most unrealistic Judge Roy Bean,to pass out with an Ace up his sleeve..
3)Gary Cooper is surrounded by the an awesome cast of of great character actors,the likes of which you won't see again..
4)These guys are mostly gone,their acting is so good,you realize,to late,that actors like these are no longer available..
5)The director tells his story from a script,it fits together puzzlelike,a part of a genre thst is so American,it is hurtful to watch it..
the westerner January 13, 2009
Francis P. Duignan (willow street,pa.)
what a great movie! gary cooper and walter brennan were at their best. it will make you chuckle and is a little touching at the end when brennan is dying. walter brennan is great as judge roy bean,and gary cooper is the ultimate humble-good-guy. they dont make movies like this anymore, unfortunately.
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