“The Far Country” (1954) marks the fourth pairing of director and star, and also hosts an impressive roster of other talented players, including Walter Brennan, Ruth Roman, Jack Elam, John McIntire, and Jay C. Flippen.
In both “’73” and “Laramie,” Stewart plays relatively even-handed characters who have been wronged and set out on paths of redemption and righteous revenge, but in “The Far Country” he plays a rather self-serving man.
Jeff Webster (Stewart), a mysterious man rides into Seattle, Washington, with his old buddy Ben Tatum (Brennan). It’s 1896, the year that local miners discovered gold in the rough Klondike territory of Yukon (western Canada).
The men are driving a large herd of cattle through the area, which they hope to sell off up north in the rough-and-tumble boomtown of Dawson City, Yukon. They should be able to fetch the best prices for the livestock there. They plan to use the proceeds to fund their own mining operation so that they can get a piece of the rapidly unfolding Klondike Gold Rush.
The two cowboys that Jeff hired to help herd the cattle to Seattle suddenly depart in an unhappy state after being paid for their services, and it is alluded to that Jeff may have pulled some sort of chicanery during the trip.
While traveling north, Jeff and Ben stop off at the town of Skagway, Alaska. There, when some corrupt officials attempt to shake them down for extra “shipping” fees, the duo quickly escape their predicament by riding off with their cattle.
However, this causes them to stampede their herd through a public hanging, disrupting it to the extent that the local tyrant of the area, Judge Gannon (McIntire), seeks to have Jeff hanged for his transgression.
Jeff’s actions are widely exaggerated and used as a pretext for Gannon’s real agenda—confiscating Jeff and Ben’s cattle. Although Jeff’s life is spared because of an intervention by one of Gannon’s business associates, saloon owner Ronda Castle (Roman), the corrupt judge still ends up seizing his herd.
Ronda hires Jeff to help transport her and her belongings to Dawson City since she has her own entrepreneurial intentions. He obliges, and together with Ben, they set off for the rugged northern realms, encountering various challenges along the way.
One of Mann’s unique talents shines through in his ability to portray the vast landscapes with such splendor that they almost seem like characters themselves. Mann’s skill in infusing grit and gravitas into both the actors and their roles also enhances the authenticity and emotional resonance of his films, leaving a lasting impact.
In Mann’s Westerns, his male characters often appear appropriately rugged and weathered, sporting sweat rings on their cowboy hats and underarms, and dust on their chaps. One might expect Mann’s gritty sensibilities to clash with James Stewart’s natural nice-guy charm.
However, Stewart, being a consummate actor, had the remarkable ability to tap into his inner bad boy when needed, delivering convincing performances that seamlessly blended with Mann’s directorial vision.
Despite Stewart’s abilities, some audiences were never able to make the mental leap from the genuinely good guy vibes he brought to most of his roles and couldn’t reconcile the drastic contrast of good and bad archetypes. This contrast could have contributed to the film’s reception not matching that of other well-regarded titles starring Stewart.
Nevertheless, it’s commendable when actors like Stewart challenge themselves by taking on roles outside their comfort zones. Even if the attempt doesn’t resonate with audiences; the willingness to push boundaries and explore new territories demonstrates a commitment to artistic growth.
This willingness to take risks, even if they don’t always pay off, can lead to valuable learning experiences and personal growth in the pursuit of excellence in their craft.
In an interesting twist, Jeff’s conflicted nature manifests itself through his two main love interests—Renee Vallon (Corinne Calvet) and Ronda Castle. While Renee is an upstanding woman with genuine intentions, Ronda engages in shady schemes and self-serving behavior.
I enjoyed “The Far Country” mainly for its departure from the well-worn Western trail that Mann and Stewart traversed in their previous outings. It deftly explores the themes of loyalty, the importance of community and redemption, and delivers a thought-provoking viewing experience that makes it worth seeing.
