Watch My Darling Clementine
- Approved
- 1953
- 1 hr 37 min
-
7.7 (26,427)
My Darling Clementine is a classic Western movie from 1946 directed by the esteemed John Ford. The film tells the story of Wyatt Earp (Henry Fonda) and his legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. The movie begins with Wyatt and his three brothers, Morgan, Virgil, and James, driving their cattle across the Arizona-Mexico border. They stop at a river to let the cattle drink and take a dip. While they are relaxing, some men steal their herd and drive it away. The Earp brothers suspect that Old Man Clanton (Walter Brennan) and his outlaw gang are responsible for the theft.
Wyatt and his brothers settle in Tombstone, where Wyatt becomes the marshal. The town is under the control of the Clanton gang, who terrorize the citizens and run a crooked gambling hall. Wyatt tries to clean up the town, but he is constantly thwarted by the Clantons. He also finds time to romance Clementine Carter (Cathy Downs), a schoolteacher who comes to town looking for her missing brother.
One day, Wyatt's brother James (Don Garner) is killed by the Clanton gang, and Wyatt decides to take the law into his own hands. He forms a posse with Doc Holliday (Victor Mature), a gambler and gunfighter who is also looking for revenge against the Clantons. Wyatt and his posse confront the Clanton gang in a bloody shootout at the O.K. Corral.
The movie ends with Wyatt leaving Tombstone and riding off into the sunset, but not before bidding farewell to Clementine, who has decided to stay in town and continue teaching.
My Darling Clementine is a classic Western that captures the essence of the Old West. The movie is beautifully shot, with stunning panoramic views of Monument Valley, a favorite location for John Ford. The film's score, which includes the well-known folk song "Oh My Darling, Clementine," is also noteworthy, perfectly complementing the movie's themes and tone.
The performances in My Darling Clementine are excellent across the board. Henry Fonda is perfectly cast as Wyatt Earp, a man who is tough but fair and who is determined to uphold justice in a lawless land. Victor Mature, who had previously played the lead in Ford's "The Ford Apache," is also excellent as Doc Holliday, bringing just the right blend of vulnerability and toughness to the role. Linda Darnell, as Chihuahua, the Clanton gang member who falls for Doc Holliday, also delivers a fine performance.
While the movie takes some liberties with historical accuracy, it is ultimately a story of myth and legend rather than a biopic. My Darling Clementine is a movie that celebrates the heroism of the American West, while also acknowledging the dark side of this period in our nation's history.
The movie has since become a classic of the Western genre and continues to be studied and appreciated by film historians and Western enthusiasts alike. It remains a compelling story of courage, justice, and love in the Wild West, and is a must-watch for fans of the genre.
My Darling Clementine is a 1953 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.