My Darling Clementine

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My Darling Clementine

Released Dec 3, 1946

1h 37m

Western

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100%

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33 Reviews

85%

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5,000+ Ratings

In the middle of a long cattle drive, Wyatt Earp (Henry Fonda) and his brothers stop off for a night in the town of Tombstone. The next morning they find their cattle stolen, and one of the brothers is dead. Earp suspects the Clanton family, owners of the O.K. Corral, but wants his revenge to be legal. He becomes sheriff of Tombstone and forges a rough peace with an alcoholic gambler, Doc Holiday (Victor Mature). Earp also takes a liking to Holiday's former girlfriend, Clementine (Cathy Downs).

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Critics Consensus

Canny and coolly confident, My Darling Clementine is a definitive dramatization of the Wyatt Earp legend that shoots from the hip and hits its target in breezy style.

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Scott Tobias

The Dissolve

Ford the mythmaker was at the height of his powers in 1946's My Darling Clementine, but it's a remarkably relaxed and assured piece of work.

Rated: 4.5/5

Oct 13, 2014

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Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

If ever there was a gateway drug to the happy addiction of Hollywood oaters, this is it.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 21, 2014

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Matthew Connolly

Slant Magazine

The film subtly complicates viewer expectations early on, eschewing clear-cut character rivalries in favor of more complex emotional and social configurations.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 21, 2014

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Adrian Turner

Radio Times

Filmed in black-and-white against Monument Valley locations, the film combines both the grandeur and the folksiness so typical of its director.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 17, 2024

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Bianca Garner

InSession Film

Regardless of whether or not there’s something more romantic to the relationship of Earp and Holliday, there’s no denying the fact that My Darling Clementine is an important picture.

Jul 31, 2024

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

My Darling Clementines beauty settles in the emotional profundity of the action, how every bullet has meaning, and violence is paltry next to the fates of our heroes.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 21, 2022

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RICHARD S

All Fonda fans, don't miss this classic! He is excellent, as ever, and the overall production values of the film darn good. Linda Darnell has never been more lovely in a slightly awkward role. The teaming of Fonda and Mature is a rare, but inspired one. Enjoy!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/12/25

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Orin D

This classic oater from one of the two greatest directors of westerns, Ford & Howard Hawks is as good as this old venerated genre gets. The entire cast, top to bottom are superb. This is one watch over every few years. Walter Brennan was never better as the top bad apple. Do not miss this one. Orin Domenico

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/23/25

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j f

Idk, given it a few viewings now…not my favorite Ford.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/09/25

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John A

Perhaps a bit pedestrian for John Ford but this telling of a Wyatt Earp tale is brisk, flowery and stylish.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/15/24

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Arturo L

My darling Clementine is a legendary and very beautiful story almost about the history of USA, with the incredible landscape and with all the tips and characteristics of the westerns, just to be one of the better examples of this kind of movies. The script is perfect.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/07/24

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Angelo C

Classic western with classic actors. Fonda and Mature are masters and work together like a fine tuned piano. Along with The Searchers my favorite western of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/27/24

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John Ford

Director

Henry Fonda

Wyatt Earp

Linda Darnell

Chihuahua

Victor Mature

Dr. John 'Doc' Holliday

Walter Brennan

Old Man Clanton

Cathy Downs

Clementine Carter

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57%

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Synopsis

In the middle of a long cattle drive, Wyatt Earp (Henry Fonda) and his brothers stop off for a night in the town of Tombstone. The next morning they find their cattle stolen, and one of the brothers is dead. Earp suspects the Clanton family, owners of the O.K. Corral, but wants his revenge to be legal. He becomes sheriff of Tombstone and forges a rough peace with an alcoholic gambler, Doc Holiday (Victor Mature). Earp also takes a liking to Holiday's former girlfriend, Clementine (Cathy Downs).

Director: John Ford
Producer: Samuel G. Engel
Screenwriter: Samuel G. Engel, Sam Hellman, Stuart N. Lake, Winston Miller
Distributor: Key Video, 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 3, 1946, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2015
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Mono

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