La vallée de la poudre

This a enjoyable comic B Western that l saw for first time in late 1976 in my hometown when l was a boy, Glenn Ford is amazing as outsider and how he wants that the people know him before to bring all sheep to a Cattle's valley, but for me the movie resume in two different and amusing persons Milt (Edgar Buchanan) and Jumbo (Mickey Shaughnessy) Milt is clever, peaceful and funny, Jumbo is thug, stupid and funny, they are the true stars of this comic western, the remains of the movie is usual as always, Milt and Jumbo are remarkable guys!!

Resume:

First Watch: 1976 / How Many: 5 / Source: TV-Cable TV-DVD / Rating: 7.5

"The Sheepman" is a comedy-drama...with an emphasis on either that changes throughout the course of the movie. It begins with Mr. Sweet (Glenn Ford) arriving in a new town and thoroughly ticking off almost everyone he meets. Why would be behave so? Apparently, he expects to be hated and he's just speeding up the process. And, the reason to hate him? He's planning on raising sheep in the range--a place where cattle is king and folks hate sheep! The rest of the film is about how the town tries to get rid of Sweet and how the clever Sweet takes to this unkindness.

Aside from some amazingly crappy rear projection used throughout the movie, it's a rather unusual and enjoyable film. The mood is odd however...at times a bit funny and at others deadly serious.

It's hard not to like Glen Ford. He made some terrific westerns. Some call this one a comedy. Light hearted yes, perhaps in the same vane as McClintock. But not a comedy. The real charm is the script I reckon. It's natural, clever and kind of real. Sweet is a cool character who can be ruthless instantly. The pacing is good thanks to the script and the actors are engaging. I have to say, there's not a great deal of chemistry between McClaine and Ford and her personality is too "modern" for me; if that makes sense. Anyhow, it's not a film that requires too much analysis. It's just a really enjoyable flick.

This movie works on a lot of levels. Awesome cast, good story, great action and good laughs.

Ford is a different tough guy to most western stars, less physically imposing his toughness or power comes completely from his uncompromising attitude against his foes. It makes a nice change , similar to Joel McCrea but a better actor.

The movie has all the elements that you would be looking for when watching this, its a very satisfying movie :)

This is one of the 1950's best westerns in the Destry Rides Again mode of tongue-in-cheek westerns and foreshadows Support Your Local Sheriff by a decade. It's ideally cast and is certainly one of Glenn Ford's finest roles. He and Shirley MacLaine have marvelous chemistry. Familiar faces Edgar Buchanan, Mickey Shaughnessy,Willis Bouchey,Percy Helton,and Slim Pickins are around to give it the proper old western flavor and Leslie Nielsen is slickly handsome as Ford's rival for Shirley's affections. Pernell Roberts is an effectively slimy villain. Director George Marshall was an old hand at combining comedy with action and The Sheepman is one of his best efforts. The screenplay by James Edward Grant and William Bowers was nominated for an Academy Award.

The Sheepman still holds up well today and will appeal to anyone who is a fan of western's,comedies,or just plain entertaining movies. It's good, clean, old fashioned fun and a prime example of one of those kind of films"that they just don't make anymore!" More's the pity