Winchester ’73, a gripping and tightly crafted Western, not only reignited James Stewart’s career after a string of postwar flops but also sparked an iconic collaboration with Anthony Mann, resulting in eight films, including five underrated Western classics.
Lin McAdam (James Stewart) and his buddy High-Spade Frankie Wilson (Millard Mitchell) ride into Dodge City, a no-gun zone overseen by Sheriff Wyatt Earp (Will Geer), during the town’s centennial shooting competition. Lin enters the shooting contest and faces up against his old foe, Dutch Henry Brown (Stephen McNally), the man he had been tracking to Dodge City. Lin wins the competition and is presented with the coveted Winchester ’73 rifle, a prized possession cherished by cowmen, outlaws, and soldiers alike. However, before Lin can leave town, Brown attacks him, confiscates his gun, and escapes. From that point on, the rifle passes through a diverse group of individuals before ultimately landing in Brown’s possession, creating a suspenseful finale as Lin pursues Brown, seeking vengeance and the gun on a perilous mountain summit.
The film traces the journey of the Winchester ’73 rifle as it changes hands—from Dutch Henry Brown to Native American trader Joe Lamont (John McIntire), Native American leader Young Bull (Rock Hudson), a young couple Lola (Shelley Winters) and Steve Miller (Charles Drake), to outlaw Waco Johnny Dean (Dan Duryea)—transforming into a gripping Wild West adventure filled with unpredictability, chaos, and relentless violence. This setup leads to a series of riveting scenes, including the high-stakes poker game at Riker’s Saloon between Dutch Henry Brown and a rifle-hungry Joe Lamont, the fierce cavalry standoff against Young Bull’s men, and the expertly staged mountaintop climactic shootout, masterfully shot with wide angles to provide a clear sense of geography and character movement, enhancing tension and drama (especially after the revelation of the reason behind Lin’s absolute determination to exact revenge against Brown).
Additionally, Winchester ’73 evokes a bygone era when firearms were essential to a man’s identity, with gun ownership and the role of a gunslinger representing power, masculinity, and societal leadership. Their reliance on guns is so profound that being without one leaves them feeling defenseless and exposed. In Dodge City, where firearms are banned upon entry, their vulnerability becomes apparent as they frequently express discomfort and a sense of incompleteness without their firearms. So, in a world obsessed with guns, the opportunity to own a premium, one-in-a-thousand Winchester ’73—renowned for its ability to fire multiple rounds without reloading, a groundbreaking feature at the time—drives people to extremes, from deception to murder. As a result, possessing such a rifle not only symbolizes strength but also commands fear and respect, defining a man by the firepower he wields.
Amid the chaos and violence surrounding the coveted rifle, the subplot involving Lola and Steve offers a poignant contrast to the obsession over the Winchester ’73 rifle. Steve and his fiancée, Lola, are ambushed by Young Bull and his men while journeying to their new home. Overcome by panic, Steve nearly abandons Lola, a moment that irreparably damages her respect for him. Unlike the traditional stoic and fearless Western hero, Steve’s fear and insecurity bring a refreshing change of pace. Humiliated but determined to prove his worth as a future husband, he tries to show courage, but bravery doesn’t come naturally to him, leading to a tragic outcome. Additionally, Lola’s presence brings a compelling dynamic to the story as she constantly navigates a violent, male-dominated world, seeking peace and safety wherever possible, highlighting women’s hardships in the Wild West. Her subplot seamlessly integrates with the rifle’s journey toward the end, resulting in narrative cohesiveness as the characters’ fates become intertwined with the firearm’s possession.
In the third act, the plot pivots toward a revenge-driven arc as Lin pursues Dutch Henry Brown, reducing the rifle’s significance, but the theme remains superficial and lacks meaningful exploration. Although Lin and Frankie discuss how Lin’s obsession with vengeance has blinded him and led him down a path of no return, this introspection feels futile, given the film’s ending. This raises the question of whether Fritz Lang’s original vision, which reportedly focused on Lin’s all-consuming pursuit of the rifle, would have been more compelling and impactful than Anthony Mann and writer Borden Chase’s half-hearted exploration of vengeance. Also problematic is the stereotypical depiction of Native Americans as villains and savages.
James Stewart delivers a committed performance as Lin McAdam, while Shelley Winters and Stephen McNally are equally convincing as Lola and Dutch Henry Brown. Although it has its issues, Winchester ’73 is a simple and well-executed Western that offers solid entertainment.
Winchester ’73 movie links: Letterboxd, Wikipedia
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