The Far Country | |
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Theatrical release poster by Reynold Brown
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Directed by | Anthony Mann |
Produced by | Aaron Rosenberg |
Written by | Borden Chase |
Starring |
James Stewart Ruth Roman Walter Brennan |
Music by | Joseph Gershenson |
Cinematography | William H. Daniels |
Edited by | Russell F. Schoengarth |
Production
company |
Universal Pictures
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Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date
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Running time
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97 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $2.5 million (US) |
The Far Country is a 1955 American Technicolor Western romance film directed by Anthony Mann starring James Stewart, Ruth Roman, and Walter Brennan. Written by Borden Chase, the film is about a self-minded adventurer who locks horns with an evil, crooked judge while driving cattle to Dawson. It is one of the few Westerns, along with and North to Alaska, to be set (not filmed) in Alaska. This is the fourth Western film collaboration between Anthony Mann and James Stewart.
In 1896, Jeff Webster (James Stewart) hears of the Klondike gold rush and he and friend Ben Tatem (Walter Brennan) decide to drive a herd of cattle to Dawson City. On the way, he annoys self-appointed Skagway judge Gannon (John McIntire) by interrupting a hanging, so Gannon "confiscates" (basically, steals) his herd. Jeff and Ben steal the animals back and take off with Gannon and his men in hot pursuit. After crossing the border into Canada, Jeff uses a few well-placed warning shots to persuade Gannon's gang to give up the chase, but the judge promises a hot reception when Jeff returns.
When Jeff gets to Dawson, he finds widespread (though relatively peaceful) lawlessness, and ignores it as none of his business. He auctions off his herd to new arrival Ronda Castle (Ruth Roman), a saloon owner and one of Gannon's business associates, when she outbids Hominy (Connie Gilchrist), Grits (Kathleen Freeman) and Molasses (Connie Van), co-owners of the local hash house. Both Ronda and French-Canadian gamine Renee Vallon (Corinne Calvet) are strongly attracted to Jeff.