The Tin Star [DVD] [1957]

Prime example of a good, well acted and well written western, directed by Anthony Mann; who employs wonderful camera angles and clever editing to conjure up atmosphere and drama in this excellent tale. Henry Fonda and Anthony Perkins are exemplary in their roles, ably backed up in supporting roles by the rest of the cast, notably John McIntire and Neville Brand. Any western fan won't be disappointed watching this and definitely worth shelling out for. Someone said on here that they couldn't take to it and you could tell that it was constrained by it's original form as a novel. Not so, I watched it without knowing that it was written as a book, only thinking that it was extremely well scripted, well acted and with imaginative camera work and direction. Excellent. 5 stars.

I'm arriving late to these reviews, so I'm aware how highly the film is already rated in these columns. I see the film has a wide appeal, but I just can't go along. In cinematic terms, the film's strong point is the opening 25" where the antagonism is set up between the bounty hunter and the townspeople, and we see a vulnerable young sheriff living on borrowed time. This gets fine cinematic treatment. But the remainder of the film constantly comes across as a story that doubtless was a great read, but was never given THE CINEMATIC IMAGINATION THAT CAN CONVERT IT TO THE DIFFERENT REALM OF THE SILVER SCREEN. I could never throw off the feeling that I'm watching something still trapped in the pages of a book and I'm getting a non-cinema paraphrase. I learned from the other reviewers here that it won a prize for scriptwriting, but I suspect this was a recognition of literary merit by judges who read it as a literary piece separate from the film. One notices that the film won no awards in cinematic terms. This bookishness crucially compromised the film for me and I can't help thinking a greater insistence on cinematic/dramatic elements would've lifted the film beyond the 3* rating I give it here.

Here we have Henry Fonda handing over the reins to the new generation of actors represented by Anthony Perkins. Perkins comes across as an adolescent teenager given the job of a sheriff. Fonda's role is to be mentor Perkins into a man, and he gets the opportunity to prove himself a man by the end of the film. Although the act was a mature one, I was not convinced that his character matured into a man.Lee Van Cleef plays a villain.

This film should have been better ,what with Fonda and Perkins in it and a good premise for a story however things come a bit askew in the reality department and to be honest I don't think Anthony Perkins looks comfortable at all in this story line. Add to the fact the film is in black and white and it just seems a bit of a drag from middle onwards.

A good old fashion Western with two great stars and a fine supporting cast.

Really pleased I've got this classic Western to add to my collection. It arrived promptly after ordering and was packaged well.

being in black and white but not bad film

Henry Fonda at his best. For some strange reason there are very few actors that could play a handgunner like Fonda could.He really brings some extra to the table when playing such roles, and this film is also well played by Anthony Perkins.This is a must have, for all western fans.