Anthony Mann would cement himself in the annals of film history by helping to reinvent the Western genre with Winchester ’73. However, for audiences at the time, the landmark movie also had another surprise that many did not see coming, with the beloved actor, James Stewart, known for his wholesome comedic and dramatic roles, stepping into the boots of skilled marksmen in a mature Western.

We will examine Winchester ’73’s legacy, including how it helped revitalize the career of one of America’s most beloved actors. We will also outline how the Western film noir remains notable decades after its release and why you should watch it.

Plot and Cast of Winchester ’73

Lin McAdam and Frankie Wilson end up in Dodge City, Kansas, as part of their search for Dutch Henry Brown, whom Lin has a vendetta against. However, when they arrive, the two cannot confront Lin under Sheriff Wyatt Earp’s strict watch. Instead, they decide to settle in and wait for their chance, with Lin entering a contest to win a Winchester 1873 rifle. After Lin is robbed of the prize rifle from the Dutch, this begins a chain of various people and groups set their eyes on the gun as it changes hands. At the same time, Lin finds himself falling for a woman named Lola, who gets dragged into the violence around trying to get the gun back.

James (Jimmy) Stewart played the lead role of Lin McAdam. Jimmy Stewart was already a household name at this juncture, appearing in classics such as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Shop Around the Corner, and one of the best Christmas movies of all time, It’s a Wonderful Life. Across from Stewart as the romantic interest to his Lin, was Shellye Winters as Lola Manners. Winters was best known for her roles in such films as The Poseidon Adventure, Lolita (1962), and The Night of the Hunter. Millard Mitchell played Lin’s partner Frankie Wilson, and Stephen McNally played Dutch Henry Brown. Other notable names attached to the project include Rock Hudson, Will Geer, Dan Duryea, Charles Drake, and John McIntire.

Winchester ’73 was directed by Anthony Mann, whose 44 directorial credits include standouts like El Cid, Men In War, The Glen Miller Story, The Furies, and The Tin Star. The movie was written by Robert L. Richards and Borden Chase, based on the novel by Stuart N. Lake. The novels of Stuart N. Lake were also adapted into the features My Darling Clementine (1946) and The Westerner (1940).

Winchester ’73 Saw Jimmy Stewart In a Surprising Role

Winchester ’73 is a unique role in the actor’s filmography that marked a drastically different change in pace for the actor best known for his wholesome, small-town hero parts that dominated his early career. A large part of this comes from the period, with Winchester ’73 reflecting a post-World War II, with the sentiments of the populace and Stewart himself shifting after the turbulent and traumatic period of American history. Having Jimmy Stewart star in a Western was a new step for the actor.

Not only was the content of Winchester ’73 darker and more gritty than anything James Stewart had ever done, but it also marked a shift away from the happy, friendly characters he was known for in his comedic and drama-heavy performances that predated the ’50s Western. For audiences at the time, many found it too shocking to see Stuart as a man always on the verge of violence. However, this gamble paid off for the actor, with Anthony Mann and Jimmy Stewart teaming up for several Westerns.

In addition, Stewart’s career would become defined by his work with Alfred Hitchcock, working with the icon of horror/thrillers in Rope, Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and Vertigo; the ’50s being a drastic change for him as an actor.

Related Best Jimmy Stewart Westerns, Ranked James Stewart became a very different actor when he took on western movies, especially with director Anthony Mann, and these are his best.

Anthony Mann movies starring Jimmy Stewart
Movie Release Year Genre Winchester ’73 1950 Western Bend of the River 1952 Western Thunder Bay 1953 Action/Adventure The Naked Spur 1953 Western The Glenn Miller Story 1954 Biographical The Far Country 1954 Western Strategic Air Command 1955 War The Man from Laramie 1955 Western

Critical Praise for Anthony Mann’s Winchester ’73

Winchester ’73 is considered a landmark of the Western genre, helping usher in the more mature approach to the genre that defined the 50s; it remains one of Anthony Mann’s most respected works. While the change of pace of James Stewart proved to be shocking to many audiences at the time, Stewart received general praise for his ability to transition into the role of Lin McAdam with such conviction. The movie was also praised for its direction, with the Time Magazine review reading, “Strikingly photographed in black & white, the film is directed with an eye to realistic detail, an ear for the script’s frequently natural dialogue and a knack for building suspense.”

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The film’s shoot-out has also been noted for its intensity at the time, with Criterion Collection offering a retrospective of the film and James Stewart and Anthony Mann’s other collaborations. On the pivotal scene in Winchester 73′ and how it defined Stewart’s shift in known characters, K. Austin Collins for Criterion commented, “This is the most violent moment in a film that is not lacking for dynamic, memorable shoot-outs and uncomfortably intimate showdowns in tight confines that might make any man seem vulnerable. Its violence is owing almost entirely to a single shot of Stewart’s face—a money shot that undoes what we think we know about a man we’re inclined to trust, reveals him to be not only darker but more sour than we previously understood.”

The Jimmy Stewart-led Western stands tall today, sitting on Rotten Tomatoes with a 100% critic score and 86% from audiences. The movie was also immortalized with its 2015 inclusion for preservation in the National Film Registry. Jimmy Stewart also held the film in high regard as the one production that helped re-establish his career after a few post-World War II flops that he was worried would mark the end of his career.

Should You Watch Winchester ’73?
Universal Pictures

Winchester ’73 is a landmark Western, and those who like the genre or want to understand it better should check out the Jimmy Stewart-led movie. At the same time, the 50s have outdated elements that may not sit well with modern viewers, including Rock Hudson playing an Indigenous person. Moreover, the Western genre would continue to evolve throughout the era, with WInchster ’73 arguably a prototype for better movies, such as High Noon (1952), The Searchers (1956), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962), and The Wild Bunch (1969).

Fans of modern Westerns can even look at films like Clint Eastwood’s landmark The Unforgiven (1992), which takes the formula outlined in the 50s and perfects it. Regardless, if you are even slightly interested, you should watch the Anthony Mann Classic; you can stream Winchester ’73 on Starz or rent it on Apple TV or Amazon.