I am new to the site, but I had to read all 10 pages about this movie on here.
It is one of my most favorite movies of all time. There are stories inside of stories along with many different struggles.
For instance, the story of westward expansion. Territories being settled and struggling to attain statehood. People are trying to scratch out a life for themselves on the frontier. Dealing with cattle barons and the roughest, toughest men/thieves around. Soon to follow all of them is the railroad and their adaption to becoming civilized and educated.
It depicts a time when our country was still young and struggling to grow. A time that saw the wild west being tamed.
In this movie, you have the classic struggles of Man vs. Man, himself and the environment(nature) in which he has chosen to try and settle.
Ransom was struggling with himself and the culture shock of landing in a God forsaken place after following "Go west young man". Plus, the struggle he has with Liberty. One man representing the yester years; the other man representing the change in times and the future.
Doniphon was tough enough to make it there along the Picket wire. He could care less about books and politics. He had everything thought out on how it was going to be...ranch...wife..etc. Never expected to be thrust into making Ransom Stoddard a legend and losing the lady to boot.
But that love is what led to him finally shooting Liberty. The shot that brought down Liberty all so brought down himself. He killed Liberty and soon he was dead inside once it became clear he had lost Hallie. He was unselfish in his love for her and put her happiness before his.
With the death of Liberty Valance came the hero Ransom Stoddard. People were not living in fear anymore. Ransom struggles again with himself. He does not see himself as a hero and realizes he did not practice what he had preached. He did not bring Liberty to justice. He had dealt with him the way Doniphon had told him too...with force. The way things were dealt with in the territory.
Ransom further struggles with seeing himself as a representative for the people of the territory merely for gunning down Valance. Again acting unselfishly, Doniphon sets the record straight and lets him know he shot Liberty Valance. He then tells Stoddard to go back inside and answer his call of duty. Accept the nomination; get statehood for the territory and make it a good place to settle down with Hallie.
I really could write more but must leave. Sorry it is so long. So much is happening in this film.
