Good westerns and director Anthony Mann go hand in hand and The Tin Star is no exception. In a lean, economical 92 minutes it tells a story, quite similar in themes to the later, more well-known John Ford opus, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Henry Fonda stepping into the shoes left vacant by Mann's regular leading man James Stewart, plays an ex-sheriff come bounty hunter, who finds himself playing a mentor role to a young inexperienced sheriff played by Anthony Perkins. Using the lessons taught to him by Fonda, Perkins is able to prove his worth to the town's citizens and to himself, by taking on the town bully boy (Neville Brand). Along the way one encounters sub-stories involving the questioning of the pervading casual racist attitudes directed towards the native Americans, whether they be guilty of criminal behaviour or not. There is also a very low key romance developing between Fonda's Morgan Hickman and Betsy Palmer's widowed single mother Nona Mayfield.
Fonda is excellent as usual in the role of the somewhat cynical, but nevertheless compassionate past lawman, who's just about seen it all, when it comes to dealing with all frontier types, both good and bad. Perkins loses nothing in comparison, as the raw, earnest young "temporary" town sheriff, still to be officially consecrated by the town's elders, who is desperate to carry on the previous (gunned down) sheriff's policy of bringing in desperados alive, rather than dead. Neville Brand leaves a strong impression as this town's Liberty Valence type, Bart Bogardus.
The Tin Star is a thoughtful western, telling an unhurried, but always engaging story, complete with solid characterisation and mature dialogue. The film's attractions are little affected by it not being shot in colour and Mann's camerawork, through cinematographer Loyal Griggs, is as assured as ever. This is an oater, whose story, rich in depth and detail, presents as entertaining a look today, as it did over 60 years ago upon its initial release.
Fonda is excellent as usual in the role of the somewhat cynical, but nevertheless compassionate past lawman, who's just about seen it all, when it comes to dealing with all frontier types, both good and bad. Perkins loses nothing in comparison, as the raw, earnest young "temporary" town sheriff, still to be officially consecrated by the town's elders, who is desperate to carry on the previous (gunned down) sheriff's policy of bringing in desperados alive, rather than dead. Neville Brand leaves a strong impression as this town's Liberty Valence type, Bart Bogardus.
The Tin Star is a thoughtful western, telling an unhurried, but always engaging story, complete with solid characterisation and mature dialogue. The film's attractions are little affected by it not being shot in colour and Mann's camerawork, through cinematographer Loyal Griggs, is as assured as ever. This is an oater, whose story, rich in depth and detail, presents as entertaining a look today, as it did over 60 years ago upon its initial release.