Nick F
The Tin Star, made in 1957, might appear to be just another routine black-and-white Western. But the two stars - Henry Fonda and a young Anthony Perkins - are clues that it might be much more – and it certainly is. It turns out to be a minor masterpiece of fine film-making, with top-class directing from Anthony Mann (Winchester ’73 and Bend In The River) and the screenplay by Dudley Nichols was deservedly Oscar-nominated.
The story line is relatively simple - ex-sheriff turned bounty hunter Henry Fonda rides into a small town to collect some bounty money he is owed, and finds young inexperienced sheriff Anthony Perkins out of his depth against a small band of villains lead by Neville Brand and Le Van Cleef.
Reluctantly, Fonda takes the young sheriff under his wing, giving advice and backing him up in a couple of minor altercations. But when the well-liked local doctor is killed by the outlaws, a major confrontation is inevitable.
What makes this apparently simple situation compelling is the way the psychology of the participants is played out, particularly between Fonda and Perkins – both on top form - and also by boastful villain Neville Brand, whose slimy sneering performance is also outstanding. The Tin Star is perhaps a more thoughtful Western than some, but still delivers tension, excitement and plenty of gunplay. REVIEWED by Nick Fletcher
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
10/20/25
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RICHARD S
A pretty good western, Fonda at his near best. Nice to see lovely Betsy Palmer in a good supporting role. Perkins not well cast - varies between scared rookie sheriff to some courageous gutsy moments - its hard to figure out if he's got what it takes. But, a nice western story featuring Fonda as a widowed bounty hunter who mentors the inept Perkins and provides a father figure to a young (not well defined) half breed youngster. If you like Fonda (as I definitely do), don't miss this one!
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/23/25
Full Review
Ashe E
Henry Fonda is absolutely brilliant in this Anthony Mann western classic. I rate this one right up there with "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance". I didn't know this was a low budget film. It doesn't show. Highly recommend.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
12/24/24
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Steve D
Poor man's High Noon with strong cast.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
04/09/24
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Rod W
Very predictable ..yet a true western
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
11/27/23
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Matthew B
The Tin Star is a movie about a law and order. It is not really a movie about justice, or at least the script by Joel Kane, Dudley Nichols and Barney Slater (a rare example of a screenplay for a low-budget western receiving an Oscar nomination) makes no distinction between justice and law here. The representative of the law always acts justly in this case, and injustice only occurs when people break the law.
Hence the film takes its title from the symbol of law and order, the Sheriff's tin star. One man has taken on the role of sheriff against the wishes of his girlfriend, and in the face of little enthusiasm from the townsfolk. Another man has long since handed in his tin star, and will not put it on again at any cost.
In the film's ominous opening, Morgan Hickman rides into the small town with an extra horse. Beneath the horse's blanket, a hand can be seen sticking out. The townsfolk are shocked at this evidence that Hickman has killed someone.
However Hickman cannot be arrested. He is carrying the body of a man whose Wanted Dead or Alive poster can be found in the sheriff's office, and he has come to collect his reward. What Hickman finds is something that seems unimpressive to the hardened killer.
A young man is practising pulling his guns from his holsters and dropping one on the floor. Hickman asks the green young man where he can find the sheriff. The young man pins on a tin star. He is the sheriff.
Ben Owens is a temporary sheriff, filling in after his predecessor was killed until a permanent replacement can be found. Given his inexperience and innocence, Hickman suspects that Owens will be temporary because he will not live long enough to enjoy his new role. Owens' sweetheart Millie Parker fears the same, and will not marry him.
A curious friendship is struck between these two men, neither of whom is respected by the town. The citizens are unhappy to have a bounty hunter in their midst, and want Hickman to leave quickly when he receives his reward money. Even the hotel owner refuses to put him up. Owens is too young and lacking in confidence to command any power over the citizens.
However Hickman stands by Owens in a stand-off with Bogardus – perhaps because he needs the Sheriff's signature for his reward money as he says, or perhaps because he feels sorry for the rookie lawman. After this incident, Owens seeks the help of Hickman, who acts as a mentor to the young novice.
It would seem that having a tin star is a thankless task in a remote town where you are the sole agent of law and order. The former sheriff died on duty. The current one may be at risk of dying the same way, or having his responsibilities removed from him by dissatisfied town elders. His only salvation may be another man who turned his back on the duties of being sheriff. "Man pins it on, he can't take it off," Hickman warns Owens.
Owens and Hickman then represent two different ideas of what law and order can be – a set of rules carried out within a respectable organisation, or a freer arrangement in which superior skills and greater ruthlessness are the arbiters. On the surface it seems as if Hickman's approach will be the right one, and he makes a number of scathing remarks that suggest that he does not rate Owens' chances of survival.
The acid test arrives when a crisis challenges Owens' hopes of maintaining law and order in the town. The local doctor, Joseph McCord is shot and murdered by Ed McGaffey after he treats Ed's brother Zeke for a gunshot wound. Coming soon after a stagecoach hold-up, McCord has surmised that they are the culprits, and Ed murders the doctor to cover up the crime.
As a posse develops to capture the McGaffeys, Owens faces the first major challenge to his role as sheriff. Owens would like to bring in the culprits alive so they can have a fair trial, but this is not going to be easy for a number of reasons.
There are three ideas of how justice should be administered to the McGaffeys – the lynch mob, the acts of a bounty hunter, and the operation of the official representative of the law in the town. Owens must find a way to curb Hickman's ruthless methods, and face down Bogardus in a way that will disperse the mob.
Anthony Mann made some of the finest westerns of the 1950s. While none of Mann's films have the renown of the most famous films in this genre, he did achieve a consistency of quality that perhaps no other western director ever achieved.
The Tin Star is no exception to this rule. Mann controls the film perfectly, showing his understanding of pace and rhythm. His action scenes are exciting without being exhausting. Mann is also comfortable with the chamber scenes depicting the private relationships between the characters, and manages to ensure that such scenes never drag or seem dull. Even without James Stewart as his leading actor, Mann showed that he could continue his cycle of excellent westerns.
I wrote a longer appreciation of The Tin Star on my blog page if you would like to read more: https://themoviescreenscene.wordpress.com/2021/10/01/the-tin-star-1957/
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
09/22/23
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