The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

John Ford, 1962
123 minutes
 

“There's much to say about it; the simplest is that it's both the most romantic of Westerns and the greatest American political movie.” —John Brody, The New Yorker

Questions arise when Senator Stoddard (James Stewart) attends Tom Doniphon’s (John Wayne) funeral in a small Western town. Flashing back, we learn Doniphon saved Stoddard, then a lawyer, when he was roughed up by a crew of outlaws terrorizing the town, led by Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin). As the territory's safety hung in the balance, Doniphon and Stoddard, two of the only people standing up to him, proved to be very important, but different, foes to Valance. Featuring a trio of classic leading men and a rich story captured by a director at the peak of his craft, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is one of the finest Westerns ever filmed.

Indulge yourself with a series featuring many of “My Favorite Films” including tales of romance, humor, suspense, satire, and heroism. Organized by Auditorium Manager Tina Gorski, a lifelong movie lover, the films in this series may hold special memories for you: no matter how many times you see them, they continue to draw you in one more time. The series features films since 1945. While many of these films are available through streaming, it’s always more fun to see them in the theater.

Make a day of it at the Modern and include extra time to visit the galleries and our special exhibitions. Enjoy lunch in Café Modern and then settle in for an afternoon screening, or plan for a coffee break afterwards with fellow film enthusiasts. 

Screenings are at 2 pm most Wednesdays in the Modern’s auditorium. Tickets are $5 (FREE for Modern members), available at the museum’s admission desk. Click here to purchase tickets online.