The Westerner is directed by William Wyler and written by Niven Busch, Jo Swerling and Stuart N. Lake. It stars Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Fred Stone and Doris Davenport. Music is by Dimitri Tiomkin and cinematography by Gregg Toland.Story is a fictionalised account about Judge Roy Bean (Brennan), who here rules Vingaroon Town by his own law and punishment. When suspected horse thief Cole Harden (Cooper) comes under his judicial system, they become odd friends due to Harden claiming to know personally Lily Langtree - the object of Bean's worship. Lots of uncredited work was involved in the making of The Westerner, while Cooper famously sulked about not having the main character role, so much so his part was expanded and he performed under contract but under protest! Fact is is that it is as everyone has said before, Brennan steals the film regardless, winning a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in the process. Cooper needn't have worried, he's very good here, turning in a number of various strains to Harden's character, bouncing off of Brennan to the pics eternal benefit.At the core of the plot is a good old fashioned thread involving Homesteaders versus Cattlemen, with Bean throwing his weight around and Harden forced to reevaluate his standing in the town when he falls for Jane Ellen Mathews (Davenport). The Lily Langtree (Lilian Bond) strand gives the pic an offbeat sensibility, making this a sort of dramatic comedy oater, but it works really well. Toland's photography is superb, sharp black and white sequences are given ethereal qualities, hinting at the fact this at times fun picture might be leading to a darker path?Davenport is weak and most of the supporting players struggle to make much of an impact, but come the attention grabbing finale you know you have been fed a wholesome western of substance. Propelled by two acting legends. 7/10

This film charts the fight between cattle herders and homesteaders in late C19th Texas. In particular, we focus on self-appointed judge Walter Brennan (Judge Bean) and his town of murderous cowboys who are very much on the cattle side of the land dispute. The town's courtroom is the saloon bar. Drifter Gary Cooper is brought to Brennan for sentencing – the crime being horse theft, which, like all crimes under Brennan, carries a sentence of hanging. How will Coop escape? And who will win the land battle? The film is slow at times and the outcome of the land battle is obvious. What makes the film interesting is the relationship between Brennan and Cooper. It's almost a buddy-buddy film, but you know that Brennan can turn and is capable of stabbing Coop in the back at any moment. An amusing scene has Cooper stealing Brennan's gun and riding off as Brennan goes for his gun to shoot him. It demonstrates that Brennan is not your friend. His rulings are one-sided affairs although he actually comes up with a good one that should be applied today, namely, that anyone found sober after 7pm will be arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Brennan's weakness is English actress Lily Langtry who is also at the heart of this tale. His fascination for a lady showbiz type along with his obsession with Cooper's friendship suggests a homosexual element to his character.So, which side would you be on in the dispute between the homesteaders and the cattlemen. What do you prefer, beef or corn? And what of the awful combination that is corned beef? Disgusting.

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.

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.