Classic Westerns
by Bertrand Tavernier
Lone vigilantes, Native American Indians, wide-open spaces, the conquest of the West, saloons, steam trains and duels… Immensely popular in the 1940-60s, the Western, the American genre film par excellence (providing a portrait of the state the country at the end of the 19th century), has gradually disappeared from movie theaters. This year, Lumière heralds the great return of the western, thanks to a selection presented by Bertrand Tavernier, who is also director of a collection dedicated to the genre with Actes Sud. In partnership with Park Circus and Swashbuckler Films.
The Ox-Bow Incident by William A. Wellman (1943, 1h15)
A livestock farmer is murdered. In the absence of a sheriff, Major Tetley takes the lead to form a militia, determined to achieve justice... Henry Fonda and Dana Andrews make a plea for justice in this incisive western.Institut Lumière ma 17 à 9h30 I Pathé Bellecour Sun. 22 at 11:15am
My Darling Clementine by John Ford (1946, 1h37)
After the murder of his brother, Wyatt Earp accepts the job of sheriff of Tombstone... A great classic of the Fordian repertoire, carried by an unforgettable musical theme and led by a legendary Henry Fonda.
Pathé Bellecour Tue. 17 at 10:30pm I Comœdia Wed. 18 at 11am I Lumière Terreaux Sat. 21 at 10pm
Pursued by Raoul Walsh (1947, 1h41)
Orphaned Jeb Rand is taken in by Mrs. Callum, and raised as her own son, along with her two children Thorley et Adam. The situation becomes tense when Adam learns his sister and Jeb are in love. A psychological western with Shakespearean accents.
Comœdia Mon. 16 at 7pm I Institut Lumière Sat. 21 at 4:15pm
Red River by Howard Hawks (1948, 2h13)
Tom, an ambitious and rough farmer, and Matthew, his adopted son, decide to take their cattle to Missouri to sell for a good price. A surprising and lively father-son duo… Starring John Wayne and Montgomery Clift.
Pathé Bellecour Sun. 15 at 8pm I UGC Confluence Tue. 17 at 8:30pm I Cinéma Opéra Thu. 19 at 6:15pm I Charbonnières-les-Bains Sat. 21 at 8pm
Broken Arrow by Delmer Daves (1950, 1h33)
Tom Jeffords (James Stewart) has negotiated peace with the Apache tribe, but the two camps are not yet ready... This subversive film, which evokes the Geronimo-Cochise separation, reflected a new portrayal of the Native Americans compared to other movies of that time.
Lumière Fourmi Sun. 15 at 3pm I Pathé Bellecour Tue. 17 at 4:30pm I Vénissieux Thu. 19 at 2:30pm
Devil’s Doorway by Anthony Mann (1950, 1h23)
A young Native American, a war hero, returns to his land. But his medals have no value for local breeders... Another example of a pro-Native American film, a denunciatory masterpiece. With Robert Taylor.
Cinéma Opéra Thu. 19 at 4:15pm I Institut Lumière Sun. 22 at 5:15pm
High Noon by Fred Zinnemann (1952, 1h25)
Frank Miller, a criminal who was sentenced to death five years earlier, is on his way to Hadleyville, with vengeance on his mind. The sheriff tries to bring citizens together to defend the city... The Zinnemann masterpiece, with the action nearly in real time. Starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly.
Pathé Bellecour Wed. 18 at 7:30pm and Thu. 19 at 5pm I Institut Lumière Sun. 22 at 7:15pm
The Naked Spur by Anthony Mann (1953, 1h31)
A farmer, a former officer from the North and a prospector team up to find a killer and pocket the reward... James Stewart and Anthony Mann would make eight films together, including this western, the epitome of the genre.
Cinéma Opéra Sun. 15 at 2:45pm I Comœdia Sat. 21 at 11am I Cinéma Opéra Sun. 22 at 5pm
Shane by George Stevens (1953, 1h58)
Shane, a solitary rider, is welcomed by the Starretts, a family of farmers. He will soon need to protect them... A classic American family adventure picture, the biggest commercial success of the 1950s. Superb.
Pathé Bellecour Mon. 16 at 10:45am I Lumière Fourmi Sun 22 at 5:15pm
Man Without a Star by King Vidor (1955, 1h29)
After a few adventures, Dempsey and Jeff find a place on a ranch of the very attractive and sassy Reed Bowman... King Vidor is in command of this fast-paced western with Kirk Douglas and Jeanne Crain.
Villa Lumière Sat. 21 at 9pm I Lumière Bellecour Sun. 22 at 5pm
From Hell To Texas by Henry Hathaway (1958, 1h40)
Wrongly accused of murder, Tod Lohman runs away, pursued by the two brothers of the victim, sent by their father thirsty for vengeance... A spectacular and underrated manhunt picture, one of the most beautiful films from Hathaway.
Institut Lumière Wed. 18 at 4:45pm
Gunman’s Walk by Phil Karlson (1958, 1h37)
Lee Hackett, a rugged cowboy, lives with his two sons, Ed and Davey, one sweet, the other violent... A fair yet sharp portrait of the Far West at the end of the 19th century.
Institut Lumière Mon. 16 at 1:30pm
Day of the Outlaw by André De Toth (1959, 1h32)
Injured, Captain Jack Bruhn and his gang hold a small village in the Rockies hostage... A raw and stripped-down western, where Robert Ryan and Burl Ives come face to face. Exceptional.
Lumière Terreaux Mon. 16 at 7pm I Cinéma Opéra Tue. 17 at 4:30pm I Lumière Fourmi Thu. 19 at 7pm
The Man who Shot Liberty Valance by John Ford (1962, 2h03)
A senator arrives in Shinbone for the funeral of Tom Doniphon. He looks back on the period where he tried to rid the town of Liberty Valance... An unforgettable masterpiece with John Wayne, James Stewart and Lee Marvin.
Villa Lumière Sat. 14 at 10:30am I Institut Lumière Sun. 15 at 9:30am I Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon Tue. 17 at 8pm I UGC Astoria Wed. 18 at 8:30pm
