Winchester '73 poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

James Stewart, Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea, Stephen McNally, Charles Drake ... see more see more... , Rock Hudson , Tony Curtis , Millard Mitchell , John McIntire , Jay C. Flippen , John Alexander , Steve Brodie , James Millican , Abner Biberman , James Best , Bob Anderson , Mel Archer , Ray Bennett , Frank Chase , Edmund Cobb , Frank Conlan , Steven Darrell , John Doucette , John War Eagle , Ethan Laidlaw , Ted Mapes , Gregg Martell , Virginia Mullen , Larry Olsen , Bud Osborne , Chuck Roberson , Forrest Taylor , Ray Teal , Guy Wilkerson , Chief Yowlachie , Carol Henry , Tim Hawkins , Bonnie Kay Eddy , Bill McKenzie , Tony Taylor , Will Geer

Lin McAdam (James Stewart) and his friend High-Spade (Millard Mitchell) arrive in Dodge City for a shooting contest, in which the prize is a perfectly manufactured Winchester repeating rifle, referred... read more read more... to as "One of a Thousand" -- a gun so fine that Winchester won't sell it. Lin runs across Dutch Henry Brown (Stephen McNally) in a saloon and the two would kill each other right there but for the fact that town marshal Wyatt Earp (Will Geer) has everyone's guns. Lin wins the rifle in an extraordinary marksmanship match-up with Brown, but the latter steals the prize from him and sets out across the desert. Thus begins a battle of wits and nerves, and a pursuit to the death. The roots and raw psychological dimensions of that chase are only exposed gradually, across a story arc that includes references to Custer's Last Stand, run-ins with marauding Indians, a heroic stand with a a shady but well-intentioned grifter (Charles Drake), and a meeting with murderous sociopath named Waco Johnny Dean (Dan Duryea), plus a romantic encounter with a young, golden-hearted frontier woman (Shelley Winters). All of these story lines eventually get drawn together neatly and gracefully by director Anthony Mann, who balances the violence of the events with a lyrical, almost poetic visual language. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi

Flixster Users

84% liked it

4,991 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

16 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 22 min.

Directed by: Anthony Mann

Release Date: July 12, 1950

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: May 6, 2003

Stats: 255 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Stewart and Winters Winchester '73
Upload a Photo | View All Winchester '73 Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (255)

  • fb1038944442
    November 9, 2011
    fb1038944442
    Winchester 73 is one of those perfect classic Westerns (High Noon, The Searchers, Stagecoach, etc.) that never disappoints or lets up from the moment you pop in the disc.

    The depth and complexity of James Stewart's performance is the star here, but for me, film noir auteur Ant... read morehony Mann's textured, high contrast black and white photography is a runner up, especially in the night scenes, which have the haunting and three dimensional glowing quality of the best film noir classics. Thirdly, the perfectly cast cracker jack supporting players, all hold the screen with the masterful Stewart in his prime, full of veterans like Grandpa Walton (Will Geer), and newcomers circa 1950 like Shelly Winters, Tony Curtis and Rock Hudson.

    The script is subtle using natural, conversational dialogue. The acting style matches the script to a t, with almost Stanislavski-esque performance 'method' . Don't expect the wacky buddy comedy or over the top cackling villainy of some of the other later day (post WWII) Westerns. It's a well told story that wraps up perfectly and takes its time to make its big shocking revelation, adding resonance to the tragic wrenching conclusion. The 93 minutes fly by with the wall to wall excellence on display here.
  • superjoker1
    August 8, 2011
    superjoker1
    Winchester 73 is fine, light-hearted fun. Full of charismatic performances and a simple but functional story, it never fails to please or entertain, even if it's not exactly riveting.
  • kenstachnik
    March 13, 2008
    kenstachnik
    This movie is better than losing your virginity

    I mean seriously who knew Jimmy Stewart kicked so much ass
  • garyX
    November 30, 2007
    garyX
    James Stewart and Anthony Mann made a few quality westerns together, and this is probably the best of them. This film has everything a western could want and more; Stewart is in full bad-ass mode as he hunts down the man who killed his father. It starts off with a sharp-shooting ... read moretournament overseen by an unusually machismo free and jovial Wyatt Earp (nicely played by Will Geer) and goes onto an encounter with a cardsharp, an Indian war party, a sassy music hall girl, a Stagecoach-style cavalry siege, a gunslinger heading a ruthless gang AND a bank robbery; all cleverly linked by the ownership of the eponymous rifle. The plot is by it's very nature rather episodic, but the performances are all first rate (including cameos by Rock Hudson and Tony Curtis in early roles) and the high contrast black & white photography very effective. A minor classic of the genre.
  • mjgildea
    October 24, 2006
    mjgildea
    I'm not a big fan of westerns, but this was great.
  • staindslaved
    July 15, 2011
    staindslaved
    This film started as unprecedented run of quality westerns from Anthony Mann and James Stewart. Though The Naked Spur and The Man From Laramie are also considerations for best westerns ever made, Winchester '73 stands high as the best of the bunch. The film cleverly follows the... read more Winchester '73 (the gun that won the west) as it trades hands from one unfortunate soul to the next. The revelations of out protagonist and antagonist at the end of the film and genuine and never ring false. A powerful classic western.
  • jonnycrumley
    January 10, 2012
    jonnycrumley
    Great western. James Stewart is excellent as a gunman, seeking revenge over the death of his father. Winchester '73 has all the ingredients for a great western, with gunfights, Indians, chases, great cinematography, a foxy lady, a bank robbery, and a nasty villain.So satisfaction... read more guaranteed.
  • toejambaseball24
    September 14, 2011
    toejambaseball24
    Very well-made, gritty western...but it probably won't be as memorable as I would like it to be...
  • jimbotender
    August 28, 2008
    jimbotender
    Classic western,Stewart appears as a new iconic symbol moving to the group of the many heroic western film figures,what about Anthony Mann?The stellar thing with this guy is he adores grand occasions.Epic form.And that is a novelty for the Far West genre.
  • threefolddado
    March 22, 2008
    threefolddado
    When Anthony Mann and James Stewart get together for a western, hold on to your hats.

View All Winchester '73 Reviews

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
July 9, 2007
Variety Staff, Variety

Stewart brings real flavor and appeal to the role of Lin, in a lean, concentrated portrayal. Full Review

Bosley Crowther
March 25, 2006
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

A frisky, fast-moving, funny Western in which a rifle is the apple of a cowboy's eye. Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The final shoot-out remains a classic study in mise-en-scene, as Mann transforms a jagged landscape into a highly charged psychological battleground. Full Review

Kelly Vance
May 5, 2010
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express

Winchester '73 is simply one of the finest Westerns ever made, in a class with the best of Ford and Hawks. Full Review

Fernando F. Croce
October 16, 2009
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion

The ruthless scraping of the Western's heroic veneer is Anthony Mann's stroke of genius Full Review

David Cornelius
July 7, 2008
David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com

Every bit the classic its reputation suggests. Full Review

July 9, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The first collaboration between director Mann and actor Stewart, a team that would create a series of superior westerns that added a new, psychological dimension to the genre. Full Review

June 24, 2006
Time Out

Mann's first film with James Stewart, with whom he was to make a series of classic Westerns, this offers the clearest example of Mann's use of the revenge plot. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
April 1, 2006
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

At one time, the phrase 'action director' didn't mean a technician who knew how to stage the biggest explosions. It meant someone who understood the psychology of action, the reasons behind it. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
January 6, 2006
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

One of the truly great Westerns, directed and acted with flawless skill in the old style. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Naked Spur
    The Naked Spur (100%)
  • Bend Of The River
    Bend Of The River (100%)
  • The Far Country
    The Far Country (80%)
  • 3:10 to Yuma
    3:10 to Yuma (88%)

More Movies like Winchester '73

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Winchester '73 : Watch Free on TV

Winchester '73 Trivia

  • What old black-and-white western film starring James Stewart and Shelley Winters followed the change of possession of one particular firearm?  Answer »
  • Which actor/actress starred in these films: Shop Around the Corner, Born to Dance & Winchester '73?   Answer »
  • Which Of These Is NOT A John Wayne Movie?  Answer »
More Winchester '73 Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Winchester '73. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Winchester '73 to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?