Star of the law

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Movie
German title Star of the law
Original title The Tin Star
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1957
length 93 minutes
Age rating FSK 12
Rod
Director Anthony Mann
script Dudley Nichols
production George Seaton ,
William Perlberg
music Elmer Bernstein
camera Loyal Griggs
cut Alma Macrorie
occupation

Star of the Law (Original title: The Tin Star ) is an American western by Anthony Mann from 1957 . The script of the film is based on a story by Joel Kane and Barney Slater . The film was released in German cinemas on February 28, 1958. The film was first shown on German television on June 5, 1969.

action

When the bounty hunter Morgan Hickman brings the body of a notorious criminal to a small town, his reception is cool. Scary Sheriff Ben Owens must confirm the criminal's identity before he can cash out Hickman. Hickman spends the time going to a rental stable. There he met the young Kip Mayfield. He accompanies him home. Kip and his widowed mother Nona live on the outskirts of town. Nona offers Hickman lodging. In the evening he explains to the woman that he has lost his wife and child himself. Nona replies that her deceased husband was an Indian. Hickman's surprise annoys Nona, who tells him to leave in the morning.

The next day, Millie Parker visits her boyfriend, Sheriff Owens. She reminds Owens, who is only temporarily acting as sheriff, of his promise to lay down the star as soon as a full-time sheriff is found. But Owens plans to keep the post. Old Dr. McCord assures Millie that there is nothing to worry about, but Millie is afraid that Ben will be killed as well as her father, who was previously the town's sheriff. Bart Bogardus, a cousin of the criminal Hickman killed, shoots a half-Indian and pretends to have acted in self-defense. When Owens wants to pull in Bogardus weapon, he is threatened by him. Hickman shoots the gun out of Bogardus' hand. He later explains to Owens that he used to be a sheriff himself and knows how to treat such people.

That evening, Hickman explains to Nona that, like most white children, he was brought up to hate Indians. Nona tells him that her husband was killed because of his righteousness, now the hatred is for her and her son. When Owens brings word the next morning that the judge has released Bogardus, Hickman is ready to instruct Owens in the use of weapons and the treatment of perpetrators. When a carriage driver is shot dead by two bandits, Owens organizes a chase. Hickman stays in town for vowing never to wear a star again. He collects the reward and buys a pony for Kip.

During the night, Dr. McCord stopped by Ed McGaffey. Ed's brother Zeke needs medical help, he was shot in a hunting accident. The doctor wants to go home at dawn, but Ed is sure that the doctor doesn't believe the hunt story. Zeke wants to let the doctor go, but Ed shoots McCord, whose birthday is that day. The whole city wants to celebrate with their doctor, but the news of his murder freezes everyone. When the mayor reads the doctor's notes about Zeke's injury, he has wanted posters posted for the brothers. An angry crowd makes their way to the McGaffey house. The men around Bogardus pass Nona's house. Little Kip sees her and follows her on his pony. Hickman prepares to pursue himself when Nona notices Kip's disappearance and Hickman asks to find Kip.

The crowd arrives at the McGaffey house. Bogardus has the house set on fire. After the people leave, Kip arrives at the house and sees a dog. The dog runs into a valley behind the house, the boy follows the animal. Hickman and Owens have followed Kip's hoof tracks and arrive just as Ed McGaffey shoots the boy from a cave. The men bring Kip to safety. Owens wants the two brothers alive, but is forced back into cover by Hickman. Hickman sets fire to the cave entrance. The McGaffey brothers are forced to come outside and give up by the smoke.

Bogardus is furious that Owens and Hickman caught them. He incites people to lynch the two criminals. Owens calls on the city fathers to intervene and give the McGaffeys a due process, but they don't act. Bogardus and his lynch mob demand the prisoners from the sheriff. Owens faces Bogardus alone with a shotgun, but people disperse when Hickman appears with a star on his chest. Bogardus is insecure and Owens takes advantage of this and slaps him. Bogardus steps back a little and draws his weapons. Owens is faster and shoots him.

Owens asks Hickman to stay in town as sheriff. But Hickman refuses, because Owens has shown that he can cope with his job. Millie decides to marry Owens and Hickman, Nona and Kip leave town to start a new life, with Hickman planning to become sheriff again in another town. The city wishes him the best of luck.

background

For the young Anthony Perkins it was the fourth role in a movie, for Mary Webster the second. Richard Farnsworth and the silent film comedian Snub Pollard had an appearance as an extra .

The equipment of the film was u. a. Hal Pereira and Sam Comer involved. Edith Head was responsible for the costumes .

Reviews

“Perhaps the most instructive western ever in terms of film language. Anthony Mann (teaches) the audience everything they need to know about interior design, camera work and editing of the classic genre star. Long misunderstood as a cheap imitation of 12 noon , Stern des Gesetz is one of the prime examples of American cinematic myth production. "

- Lexicon of international film

"Western that became a cinematic myth thanks to its fascinating imagery."

- Cinema

“A wild west who honestly tries to give the floor to the human responsibility associated with the sheriff's office. This idea does not quite come to fruition because of the excessive clinging to the clichés of the routine Western. Still suitable as exciting entertainment from 12 onwards. "

- Protestant film observer

Awards

Academy Awards 1958

British Film Academy Awards 1958

  • Nomination in the Best Film category

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Star of the Law. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed March 2, 2017 .Template: LdiF / Maintenance / Access used 
  2. ↑ http://www.cinema.de/film_aktuell/filmdetail/film/?typ=inhalt&film_id=11242
  3. ↑ Ev. Munich Press Association, Review No. 168/1958