With a career spanning almost thirty years, Anthony Mann is remembered as one of the most prolific directors ofWesterns, film noir, and historical epics. His movies are remembered for their fascinating portrayal of complex antiheroes with mysterious and tormented pasts, as well as his use of stunning and suggestive scenery. In the 1950s, the skilled filmmaker formed an artistic partnership with James Stewart that resulted in several impressive collabrations.
Similarly to Mann,Stewart was also one of the most renowned names in Hollywoodat the time and is still seen nowadays as one of the greatest actors in the history of cinema. It is not a surprise, therefore, that their collaboration gave life to more than one movie that defined the industry and changed their careers, while also growing to be cults over time. In total,James Stewart and Anthony Mann worked together on 8 movies. Although all of them are worth checking out, some deserve major recognition compared to others.
Strategic Air Command,unfortunately, falls under the radar compared to the more famous collaborations between James Stewart and Anthony Mann. The eighth and last collaboration between the pair, the movie ended up at the lower end of the ranking not because it does not have its merits, but pales in comparison to some of the best westerns of the 1950s. James Stewart portrays Robert R. “Dutch” Holland, a former Air Force bomber pilot. Dutch is asked to return to service during the height of the Cold War and ends up having to balance his professional life with his personal one.
WhileStrategic Air Commandbecame the sixth highest-earning movie of 1955, critics were not particularly enthusiastic about the cast’s performances, except for James Stewart. Although the photography and the aerial shots are worthy of praise,the characters' personalities and motivations lack the complexity and mystery typically seen in the other movies directed by Mann. Nevertheless, Stewart brings his usual magic to the role, giving it a charming element that makes it entertaining to watch.
Despite ranking lower in the list,Thunder Bayis still a solid entry in the Mann-Stewart collaboration. Contrary to the duo’s historical collaborations,the film was the first non-western collaboration between James Stewart and Anthony Mann.Thunder Baywould be better described as an adventure movie. Stewart plays Doug Morrell, a geologist who leads an oil exploration team to a Gulf Coast bayou. However, he ends up clashing with local shrimp fisherman who are opposed to drilling and fear for their lives. The story has elements of suspense, drama, and romance.
Contrary to the duo’s historical collaborations, [Thunder Bay] was the first non-western collaboration between James Stewart and Anthony Mann.
Thunder Baydoes not carry the same level of excitement, emotional complexity, or ambiguity found in many others of Mann-Stewart’s collaborations. It nonetheless offers an engaging narrative and earned many favorable reviews when it came out. The portrayal of the relationship between two different groups of people with conflicting interests was an interesting subject for the movie but, unfortunately, it is never examined too profoundly in the story. However,the cinematography perfectly captures the atmosphere of the bayou. Stewart, as usual, portrays the subtle duality of a complex and conflicted antihero.
The Far Countrymarked a shift towards a more expansive, sweeping Western narratives. Stewart plays Jeff Webster, a solitary, gruff, and independent cattleman who, while driving his herd from Wyoming to Alaska with his friend Ben Tatum (played by Walter Brennan), ends up quarreling with a corrupt lawman. The film is an intelligent and thought-provoking exploration of themes of personal freedom and autonomy against moral duty and responsibilities.
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Jeff Webster’s cool demeanor and strong sense of justice are at odds with the lawless environment that surrounds him.Stewart cleverly portrays the character with an almost tragic qualitythat captures his secluded and alienated condition. The actor’s conflict between his desire for self-autonomy and the need to fight for what is right is compelling. The stunning visuals of the Alaskan backdrop also cement the film as a classic of the period. The film does suffer from some glaring inaccuracies. Still, it remains a brilliant representation of the Western genre’s evolution and strengths.
Bend of the Riverwas the second collaboration between Anthony Mann and James Stewart andfurther cemented their talent for bringing the Western genre to the big screen. The film features Stewart as Glyn McLyntock, a remorseful former border raider who saves Emerson Cole (Arthur Kennedy) from being lynched for stealing a horse. As they travel together, McLyntock helps lead a group of settlers to Oregon but soon faces new threats when Cole and a corrupt businessman betray them.
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The Man From Laramie
1955
A story about redemption and betrayal,the film is often considered among the best Westerns of the period. James Stewart and Arthur Kennedy’s exceptional performances that steal the scene here. Furthermore, McLyntock’s characterization is far from that of the classical Hollywood heroic archetype. On the contrary, the man is a profoundly complex and occasionally controversial figure, a protagonist who is tormented by past mistakes and a shameful history. Stewart, unsurprisingly, was able to interpret the nuances of this more problematic anti-hero, capturing the emotional depth of a character that contributed to the movie’s success.
A far cry from the action-filled and exciting Westerns produced by the iconic duo,The Glenn Miller Storyis a biographical portrayal of Glenn Miller, a jazz musician, whose civilian band became one of the most famous of the 20th century. The movie follows Miller from his early days in the music industry as a struggling trombonist to his rise to success.James Stewart delivered a heartfelt performance, capturing, as he only could, the emotional subtleties, vulnerabilities, and relentlessness of the artistic genius he was portraying.
The movie received positive reviews and holds a rating of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.The Glenn Miller Storyalso earned two Academy Awards nominations and won one for “Best Sound Recording”. The soundtrack of the film, featuring big-band classics likeMoonlight Serenadeand a guest appearance by Louis Armstrong, paid tribute to Miller’s cultural significance as a musician and artist, was number 1 for 10 weeks on the 1954Billboardalbums chart. Without a doubt, the movie deserves a respectful fourth place in the ranking.
Sadly,The Man from Laramiewas the fifth and last Western of the Mann-Stewart duo. The story features Stewart as Will Lockhart, an outsider seeking vengeance for his brother’s death, who gets entangled in the corrupt world of a powerful family as he challenges the local cattle baron and his cruel son by cooperating with one of their historical rivals. Unsurprisingly,the movie is another gem in Mann’s filmography.
1957’sNight Passagewas initially meant to be the ninth collaboration between James Stewart and Anthony Mann. However, Mann leftNight Passageover creative differences and never worked with Stewart again afterThe Man from Laramie.Night Passagewas instead directed by James Neilson.
A thrilling tale of revenge, the film distinguished itself from the other Westerns of the period due to its Shakespearean tones. The themes of power, betrayal, and tragic destiny grant the story a theatrical allure. The more convoluted plots and emotionally complex characters make the movie stand out in the genre. The film was one of thebest Westerns starring James Stewart. The actor was given the opportunity to shine in the profoundly intense and multifaceted role of a man moved by revenge, anger, and honor. Furthermore, the film boasted the beautiful visuals of Westerns' traditional scenography filmed with CinemaScope.
The Naked Spurdeserved at least a spot in the top three Mann/Stewart collaborations, and remains an underrated entry in the western genre over half a century after it debuted. The film follows a bounty hunter played by Stewart as he tries to bring infamous outlaw Ben Vandergroat to justice. He does this with the help of two less-than-trustworthy strangers, a prospector and a soldier dishonorably discharged. The movie owes part of its success to the well-written and scene-stealing characters, which gave it a memorable element other westerns of the era couldn’t always match.
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Considered by somethe best Western movie of the 1950s,The Naked Spurholds an approval rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes andwas hailed by Jonathan Rosenbaum as a masterpiece of the genre. It even earned an Academy Awards nomination for “Best Screenplay”, which is a rather unusual honor for a Western film. This highlights the film’s narrative depth and wit, and helped cementThe Naked Spuras a one of a kind movie that differs from the more classical action-filled sequences of the genre.
Although this list presented more than one cinematographic gem, Winchester ‘73 was always going to be number 1. After all, the movie is the one thatchanged James Stewart’s career forever,allowing the Hollywood star to transition from his traditional American every-man role to more complex and interesting characters. The film also boasts distinguished Hollywood names like Rock Hudson and Tony Curtis.
Winchester ‘73marked the first collaboration between Stewart and Mannand was likely the most successful of the lot. The story is a Western film noir and follows Stewart’s Lin McAdam as he hunts his outlaw brother to reclaim a stolen Winchester rifle that keeps changing owners through violent encounters.The film was a financial success and became a classic of the genre. It holds a rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Because of its relevance in shaping Stewart’s professional path and the timeless appeal of thewestern, the film is easily the best film Stewart and Mann made together.
