The Sheepman is directed by George Marshall and written by William Bowers, James Edward Grant and William Roberts. It stars Glenn Ford, Shirley MacLaine, Leslie Nielsen, Mickey Shaughnessy, Edgar Buchanan, Willis Bouchey, Pernell Roberts, and Slim Pickens. Music is by Jeff Alexander and cinematography by Robert J. Bronner.Utterly delightful semi-comic Oater, The Sheepman pitches Ford as sheep farmer Jason Sweet, who arrives in Powder Valley - a place ruled by cattle ranchers only - and upturns the applecart by announcing he intends to let his sheep graze on the lands there. Trouble, motives and back stories will out!With the exception of some poor rear projection work, this is a pic that's constructed with style and humour. The opening is a doozy as Sweet quickly puts down a marker in the town, with a glint in his eye and a punch of some force. It's an irresistible characterisation by Ford, deftly blending humour with machismo, setting up the rest of the film by firmly pulling us viewers onto his side. Supporting cast are bang on the money, doing justice to well written characters (the screenplay was Oscar nominated), with the writing also having some nous via twists and a commitment to never let the story be boring or twee.An absolute must see film for fans of the irrepressible Glenn Ford. 8/10

Glenn Ford was very busy as an actor in 1958- 6 films including Torpedo Run and this movie. Because of his being busy, this movie though well cast is kind of an assembly line production. There are some accidents in this film that make people think it is supposed to be a comedy.The biggest one is the cast. Leslie Nielsen, Edgar Buchanan, and Slim Pickens all became know for comedy later in their careers. Just because they are in this cast does not mean it is a comedy. Just because this is sheep versus cattle doe not make it a serious film either.What we have is something in-between. Ford plays his role straight and yet at times is funny himself. Shirley MacLaine's role here as Fords girl Dell is not fully exploited here. I think that explains the whole movie. A good looking talented cast and an uneven script. Writer James Edward Grant would write a better western comedy with McLintock later featuring the Duke, Chill Wills and Buchanan amongst others but in this movie he is still working on how to shape a western comedy.This film is a pleasant diversion for those who like the cast. I believe it was intended to be more serious than it is but with everyone being so busy cranking out other films, and a lot of old western actors, the film is just a pleasure to watch and wonder if they really had tried to make a comedy here, how it would have turned out?

A man comes into a town to settle down with his flock of sheep, something that does not sit well with the resident cattlemen. The film contains a number of funny characters. About the only character who's serious is future funny man Nielsen as the villain who rules the town until Ford arrives. Ford is terrific in the title role of an easygoing fellow who just wants to settle down with his sheep. MacLaine is charming as a feisty young woman who is betrothed to Nielsen, unaware of his shady past. The supporting cast includes such veterans as Buchanan, Shaughnessy, and Pickens. Under the capable direction of veteran Marshall, the film moves at a breezy pace.

MGM's THE SHEEPMAN (1958 - aka "Stranger With A Gun") is a hugely enjoyable light hearted western that is fondly remembered by western fans! Beautifully photographed in Cinemascope and Metrocolor by Robert Bronner its Acadamy Award nominated script by William Bowers and James Edward Grant could at times be quite amusing. The fine Edmund Grainger production was brightly directed by George Marshall.Glenn Ford Is Jason Sweet (a name that elicits guffaws from leading lady Shirley Maclaine in one scene) who arrives into a town of a predominately cattle rearing district to start raising - of all things - SHEEP! The locals are incensed and under the tutelage of big cattle rancher Colonel Stephen Bedford (a very young Leslie Neilson in his dramatic Pre Frank Drebin days) they make a stand against him. But it comes to light Jason and the Colonel are old enemies and eventually must face each other. In the meantime, after many attempts to rid the town of Jason and his woolly merchandise the Colonel sends for three hired gunmen led by Chockdaw Neal (the impressive Pernell Roberts) to take Jason down. They first ride roughshod over the sheep camp killing the hands and later, in an exciting set piece, Jason confronts Chockdaw in the town's Main Street for a one to one fast draw shootout before riding out to the Colonel's ranch for the final showdown.Ford is excellent in what is one of his most likable roles! Combining the comedic talent he displayed in such films as "Teahouse Of The August Moon" (1956) and "Imitation General" (1958) together with his dramatic tough persona in westerns like "Jubal" (1955), "The Violent Men" (1956) and "3.10 To Yuma" (1957) his Jason Sweet is an altogether engaging and winning character. Giving great support and adding to the fun is Ford's long time friend and co-star from many movies Edgar Buchanan as the town's nosey parker, Mickey Shaughnessy as the Colonel's lame brained foreman, Pernell Roberts as the fearsome and violent gunman and Shirley MacLaine looking very pretty as the girl who secretly admires the Sheepman. Also notable and adding to the fun is the fine music score by MGM staff composer Jeff Alexander whose finest work and best known score is "Escape From Fort Bravo" (1953). For THE SHEEPMAN he invented some marvellous comical cues for the movie's amusing initial scenes. There are also some exciting dramatic cues and a lovely lingering main theme heard in its broadest rendition over the titles.THE SHEEPMAN is an entertaining and much rewarding romp and is worth repeated viewings. The good news is that it has just had its first Region 1 release from Warner Home Video on their new Warner Archive series. It is a lovely 2.35 widescreen transfer! The bad news is there are no extras - only the bare bones - not even a trailer! For the outrageous price Warner's are charging for this disc could they not have stretched to a measly trailer? HUH!