I have watched many Westerns in my time: Great, Good, Mediocre and Poor. I must say that "The Westerner" is great, for me one of the best westerns of all time. Cooper and Brennan together were incredible!

An intriguing Western which mixed drama, comedy and romance, The Westerner was well-directed and acted. It is these qualities which notes The Westerner as a quality feature.Gary Cooper leads the cast as drifter Cole Harden wandering into a long-standing battle between homesteaders and cattle herders in Vinegaroon, Texas. Being acquainted with self-righteous 'Judge' Rob Bean (Walter Brennan) whose antics have made him powerful amongst the cattle herders and Jane-Ellen Mathews (Doris Davenport), a homesteader who becomes Harden's love interest. Attempting to act as mediator, Harden has to deal with consequences stemming from his peaceful means. You may think this synopsis sounds like a straight-up Western with shootouts and fiery romance abound. However the characterisation offered great depth which are played out and explored.As an antagonist 'Judge' Bean was never one-dimensional. Whereas delivering his own form of 'justice' with no remorse and continuously conveying a leering arrogance, Bean has an obsession with starlet Lily Langtry. Adoring her pictures across his saloon, Langtry becomes a symbol for Bean's greed, selfishness and desire. Worthy opposition arrived through Harden, upping the ante in a clever game of wits between Bean getting themselves into situations which were marvellously performed by Cooper and Brennan. Their chemistry made The Westerner transformations into different genres work.The Westerner also knew how to balance generic concepts neither becoming too dramatic or comical. After the execution of a condemned man comes along the over-zealous undertaker portrayed as a laughable opportunist. Thinking Harden will be his next profit the undertaker sly-fully takes his measurements. Once Harden is spared a hanging the undertaker's reply "I've just lost a customer". This line's delivery and meaning showcased the dynamics The Westerner had to be a quality feature.

William Wyler wasn't a director who made film's. He was a director who showed you a film. And that's what he did with....The Westerner.Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan and Doris Davenport are fantastic in this film. Walter Brennan who plays (Judge Roy Bean) steals the show in his Academy Award winning performance. (Also look for 'Dana Andrews' in a brief app.)The one aspect that strikes me about this film is the friendship between Cole Hardin (Gary Cooper) and Judge Roy Bean (Walter Brennan). It's not the sort of friendship that happens over a number of year's. It's a very quick friendship that grows from respect for one another. Now..I'm not a big (Doris Davenport) fan, but, she does a really good job in this film. I think, it has to do a lot with William Wyler directing. There is a very touching scene with her and (Coop) where her facial expressions are priceless. She really wants to knock-him across the jaw, but she's also falling in love with-him at the same time. Is it (Coop's) best western of his career.., no, it's not. But, it's a great classic film that's worth watching over and over again. Believe me...All of you will enjoy...The Westerner.

Released in 1940 - The Westerner is a really excellent tale concerning the land disputes in Texas (between the cattlemen and the homesteaders) getting way out of hand.At the heart of this classic Western yarn rests the complex relationship that unexpectedly transpires between Judge Roy Bean and a lanky stranger named Cole Harden (who's a suspected horse-thief).Walter Brennan, as Judge Roy Bean, is a fascinating character who's burdened with a strange sense of morality and a fanatical obsession for the international stage actress, Lily Langtry.Brennan won a well-deserved Oscar for his wonderful portrayal of Bean.As a classic cowboy flick, you really need to see The Westerner to fully appreciate all of its subtle charm and rugged appeal.