The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance in Ford's America
A half century after its release Liberty Valance frames a contested myth of law and gun power in Shinbone. The essay contrasts Ransom Stoddard and Tom Doniphon with Liberty Valance to critique American democracy, myth making, and the gun culture shaping national life across eras.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Liberty Valance
Ford
Ransom Stoddard
Stewart
Shinbone
Colorado Territory
Lee Marvin
Ransom
Ransoms Library
Liberty
Tom Doniphon
Wayne
Tom
Navy
John Kennedy
America
John Ford
John Wayne
Shinbone Stars
Shinbone Star
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance as a call to action
A critic argues Ford’s film exposes gun culture as anti democracy and urges civic action. It praises community organizing, constitutional law, and voting to defeat violence, urging unity against unAmerican pro death rhetoric.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Liberty Valance
America
Also Mentioned on This Page
Ohn Ford
Jimmy Stewart
Duke
Hollywood
Alfred Hitchcock
By Dante A. Ciampaglia
New Yorker
Jelani Cobb
Ranse
Uvalde
Texas
Sandy Hook
Stoneman Douglas High School
Buffalo