Customer Reviews

The Man from Colorado

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The late forties saw an interesting subgenre of the Western appear-the psychological Western, which emphasized characters' thoughts and emotions as much, if not more, than action.

The Man From Colorado is one such psychological Western, and is a very good film made even better by its two stars, Glenn Ford and William Holden. Ford and Holden play men who soldier together during the Civil War, and come back to a home town struggling with lawlessness. Holden becomes a marshal, but Ford becomes the town judge. Unfortunately, Ford is suffering from what would now be called post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition gaining attention during the time that this film was made due to the prevalence of World War II soldiers who were diagnosed with this condition. Ford, who had been losing his grip on reality toward the end of the war, now loses it fully under the weight of his responsibilities, putting him on a collision course with his former friend Holden.

The Man From Colorado is a very good film with a subject that still resonates today - how does one learn to put wartime experiences in perspective and lead a normal life?

Henry Levin's post-Civil War western, shot in Techincolor, features real-life best friends Glenn Ford and William Holden (both RIP) as former Union officers who find themselves on opposite sides after Owen Devereaux (Ford) becomes town judge, and who begins to abuse his power to punish anyone who opposes him. Del Stewart (Holden) is made town marshal but he sees that his friend is slipping more and more into insanity (which today would be referred to as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), brought on by his experiences during the war. Enemy lines are drawn more strongly as Devereaux marries Carolyn (Ellen Drew), with whom Stewart is also in love. As Owen's mind deteriorates and his madness intensifies, the town is thrown into a uproar and his sadistic, murderous tendencies only grow. Of course, there has to be a showdown that only one man can win.

Ford's son has referred to this film as "an oddball production", perhaps because it was a rarity of the time, a psychological western. As offbeat of a role this was for Ford (similar to his Don Jose in "The Loves Of Carmen" of the same year, he sports the same longer hairstyle, but the gray on his temples here doesn't quite give the distinguished effect that was intended), he portrays a tortured, jealous man quite well, never more evident in the scenes paranoia sets in, thinking that his wife loves Del and not him. Ellen Drew is effective in her role, although I find her much easier to believe as Holden's love interest, but after seeing Ford with Rita Hayworth, the chemistry would be hard to compare. Different but compellingly watchable, and interesting to see these lifelong friends on screen together for the second and last time (they previously costarred in "Texas", in 1941), in another worthy addition to the Columbia Classics collection. With the recent passing of Glenn Ford, this is another film that adds richness and variety to his legacy.

Being particularly partial to both Holden and Ford since the early 1940's I might have been influenced by that background in giving this 4 stars. There was nothing wrong with the acting, but I really had a problem with Ford's make-up! He began with a slightly grayish color which became increasingly grayer and darker before the film ended. I assume that it was to exaggerate the whites of his eyes when he opened them widely to portray the extent of his mental illness by the film's end. They should have left that to his usual sensitive acting. Also, I think that the main theme (what happens to some men who fight wars) was short-changed in order to bring in too many other story lines. I would have thought that, being so soon after World War II (1949), the director would have been more sensitive to that aspect of the story. Otherwise, a good, unusual western worth seeing for anyone attuned to that genre and either or both of those excellent actors.

Glenn Ford (1916-2006) Delivers a mesmerish performance as Owen Devereux , a sadistic civil war veteran who has deep-rooted psychological damage due to his experience during the war . William Holden (1918-1981) is oustanding as Del Stewart , Devereux's marshal and ex-army pal who tries to restrain the judge's violent nature . When Devereux's psyhotic behaviour force the town's people to take up arms against him , the former friend are pitted against each other in a brutal conflict with fatal consequences . The suspense never falters in acclaimed director Henry Levin (1908-1980) tighly woven tale which delves into devastating psycohological effects of war .

The Man From Colorado(1948) is one of the first Noir/Adult Westerns of the post-war period. Where the first wave in the late thirties and early forties had a very epic and fun feel, this second wave was alot more psychological, dark and depressing.

This film is in many ways a subtly made anti-war picture that is a clear allegory on the War that had just wrapped up a few years prior to this film. It may be the very first Hollywood film to deal with what we know now as "Post-Tramautic Stress Disorder" and it's reflection here is intelligent and disturbing.

In the picture, Glenn Ford plays a Union Cournal who is slowly losing his mind, evidenced in the opening shots as he orders the deaths of an entire platoon of Confederate soldiers who have raised a white flag. The war ends that very day and him and his command return home. Ford and his men are treated to a warm welcome and the town appoints Ford as Judge of the area. William Holden, his best friend and his second in command, acts as Federal Marshall.

However, carpetbaggers have stolen the land and gold mines of many of his returning troop and Ford sides with the men who took the mines, causing many of the men to resort to robbery and violence to regain there rights. Ford becomes tyrannical and the strain becomes too much for both Holden and his newly-wed wife(Ellen Drew) who feel they must stop the madman from his own personal vengeance and mania.

Ford's performance is chilling and very real. His calm demeanor makes his bursts of violence all the more upsetting and creepy. Holden offsets him well as his Best Friend, who knows too well that his friend is long gone.
Drew dosen't have as much to do as she should, but makes the most of her part as the love interest of both men and her compassion for Ford is touching and adds more to his Drama. Edgar Bucchanan is memorable as the town doctor, who along with Holden, suspects the worst of Ford, especially after a confrontation with a Confederate Officer in the streets turns bloody.

This is an intelligent and well written western overall. If there are any faults, it's pace quickens too much towards the conclusion and the plot is wrapped up so simply and unfortunately, conventionally. No one can deny that the finale is very cinematic and certainly symbolic, but the journey there could have used some more insight and padding.

These are minor quibbles however of what is essentially a very fine first class Western.

Extras include several trailers and one for this film. The print quality is decent, but it would have been nice to have some commentary for this overlooked gem.

Good yarn and film that deals with how war changes those that fight in them. Background is the War Between the States as it relates to the then Colorado Territory and its aftermath. A Colonel, who commands one of the three (story does not specify which) Colorado Cavalry Regiments active during the war, possibly the 3rd that operated whithin the territory and of Sand Creek note, returns home to be named Federal Territorial Judge. His personal emotional problems affect those arouhd him.

The late Glenn Ford who passed away last year, was a very under-rated actor who never got his due as his son Peter will profess. This psychological Western shows Ford at his best in one of his few villainous roles (the other being"3:10 to Yuma"). His buddy William Holden is also excellent as his best friend and the one who sees the chink in his armor as he slowly descends into madness though Ellen Drew is totally wasted as Ford's wife. It's competentedly directed by Henry Levin but unfortunately if the writing were better this would've qualified as a classic (maybe Ford or Hawks could've helmed this). We know that Ford is aware of his psychosis as he writes in his diary and yet he trys to deny it from his best friend and wife--that doesn't make sense at all as far as the writing is concerned. In otherwards, there are holes in the story which leaves Ford, excellent as he is here, to make the character one-note. Also we know very little of his relationship to his wife (Drew) or why he continues on his vengeful blood-lust. Anyway do see it for the Ford/Holden combo since it would be the last film the two would do together (Holden before he died, had called Ford and said he would like to do another Western with him again).

Columbia Pictures presents "THE MAN FROM COLORADO" (1949) ~ (100 min/Color) ~ Starring: Glenn Ford, William Holden, Ellen Drew, Ray Collins, Edgar Buchanan, Jerome Cortland, James Millican, Jim Bannon

Directed by Henry Levin

Two friends, Col. Owen Devereaux & Capt. Del Stewart Glenn Ford, William Holden) return home after their discharge from the army after the Civil War. However, one of them has had deep-rooted psychological damage due to his experiences during the war, and as his behavior becomes more erratic - and violent - his friend desperately tries to find a way to help him. When Owen is appointed the "hanging" judge of a Colorado town, Del signs on as his deputy. But the final break between the two onetime friends comes when Del casts his lot with a group of disgruntled miners whom Owen has disenfranchised.

Nominated by the Writers Guild of America Best Written American Western

Special footnote: ~ Filming was in Corriganville, Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California and Iverson Ranch in Los Angeles, California, gives the film authenticity for that old west flavor.

BIOS:
1. Henry Levin [Director]
Date of Birth: 5 June 1909 - Trenton, New Jersey
Date of Death: 1 May 1980 - California

2. Glenn Ford (aka: Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford)
Date of Birth: 1 May 1916 - Sainte-Christine, Quebec, Canada
Date of Death: 30 August 2006 - Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, California

3. William Holden [aka: William Franklin Beedle Jr.]
Date of Birth: 17 April 1918 - O'Fallon, Illinois
Date of Death: 16 November 1981 - Santa Monica, California

4. Ellen Drew (aka: Esther Loretta Ray)
Date of Birth: 23 November 1915 - Kansas City, Missouri
Date of Death: 3 December 2003 - Palm Desert, California

5. Ray Collins
Date of Birth: 10 December 1889 - Sacramento, California
Date of Death: 11 July 1965 - Santa Monica, California

6. Edgar Buchanan
Date of Birth: 20 March 1903 - Humansville, Missouri
Date of Death: 4 April 1979 - Palm Desert, California

7. Jerome Courtland
Date of Birth: 27 December 1926 - Knoxville, Tennessee
Date of Death: Unknown

8. James Millican
Date of Birth: 17 February 1910 - Palisades, New Jersey
Date of Death: 24 November 1955 - Los Angeles, California

9. Jim Bannon
Date of birth: 9 April 1911 - Kansas City, Missouri
Date of death:28 July 1984 - Ventura, California

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 4 Stars
Performance: 4 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 100 min on DVD ~ Columbia Pictures ~ (June 8, 2004)

Glenn Ford was as good as anyone playing an intense psychotic, which he does here in this above-average western.

Ford, playing "Col.Owen Devereaux," gets elected to the position of "judge" right after his distinguished career in the Civil War. Unfortunately, he has mental problems and this position carries too much weight for an unstable sort such as him to be carrying. His best buddy, "Capt. Del Stewart" (William Holden) sees his friend as he is and tries to reason with him and help him out but winds up being alienated, too, by the paranoid judge whose problems escalate as the story goes on.

There's not a tremendous amount of action in here, but it still moves pretty fast and looks really nice on DVD. This is one of the few color films of the 1940s.

Ellen Drew, Ray Collins and Ed Buchnan provide good supporting help in the story. If you like some of the Anthony Mann-James Stewart westerns of the late '40s/early '50s, you should like this one, too.

This is a taut, well crafted psychological western directed by Henry Levin. The Man From Colorado assembles some of the same cast from Texas. The Man From Colorado was released eight years after Texas & is a better movie. The two films have similarities in plot: William Holden & Glenn Ford are friends from the civil war, they both love the same woman & they end up in conflict with one another. It's there the similarities end; where Texas had a more lighthearted touch, The Man From Colorado is unrelenting & quite serious. The Man From Colorado was released in 1948, just three short years since the end of WWII. Many of the themes examined in this film were affecting the veterans of that brutal war.

Col. Owen Devereaux (Glenn Ford) leads a small detachment of volunteers in Colorado. At the very close of the war (the opening scene of the film) Col. Devereaux has an even smaller band of Confederates trapped. The Rebs raise a white flag but Devereaux orders his cannon to fire killing all except for the Confederate commanding office who escapes without anyone noticing. Capt. Del Stewart (William Holden) is Devereaux's second in command & friend for years. Capt. Stewart finds the white flag, choosing to bury it & not raise any issues. Stewart has suspected for a while that his best friend has been adversely affected by the war but chooses to remain silent & stand beside him. There's also a scene in which Devereaux is writing in his diary questioning his own sanity & his lust for killing.

The conflicts between Devereaux & Stewart are obvious but well done. They escalate throughout the film until the final showdown. Devereaus becomes more & more deranged & less in control of his urges until he sets fire to a town that jeopardizes many innocent people just so he can root out Stewart.

One of the most interesting facets of this film is the appearance of Glenn Ford. There's something about his face & head that's completely different from his normal appearance. I recognize the difference in his hair style but can't figure out what the other subtle differences are, even his eyes seem to set closer together. The Man From Colorado is a very good film, one of Ford's finer efforts in his early career.