Winchester '73 is a 1950 film directed by Anthony Mann. It is a classic Western known for its gripping plot and performances by actors like James Stewart and Shelley Winters. 

Plot

The story begins when Lin McAdam (played by James Stewart) and his friend High-Spade Frankie Wilson (played by Millard Mitchell) participate in a shooting contest in Dodge City, Kansas. The prize for the tournament winner is a Winchester '73 rifle, considered the best of its kind.

McAdam wins the tournament, but the rifle is stolen by another participant, Dutch Henry Brown (played by Stephen McNally), who is also a wanted criminal. From this point on, a hunt for the rifle begins, which turns into a struggle between McAdam and Brown across the wild West.

The Winchester '73 rifle changes hands, with each owner facing their own challenges and adventures. The story also follows McAdam's personal vendetta against Brown and his quest for the rifle, which holds symbolic meaning for him.

The film is known for its intricate plot and the performances of the actors, especially James Stewart. "Winchester '73" is one of the early examples of psychological Westerns and helped establish the genre as a legitimate art form in cinema.

Complete Cast:

• James Stewart as Lin McAdam
• Shelley Winters as Lola Manners
• Dan Duryea as Waco Johnny Dean
• Stephen McNally as Dutch Henry Brown
• Millard Mitchell as High-Spade Frankie Wilson
• Charles Drake as Steve Miller
• John McIntire as Joe Lamont
• Will Geer as Wyatt Earp
• Jay C. Flippen as Sgt. Wilkes

Director: Anthony Mann

Producer: Aaron Rosenberg

Writer: Borden Chase, Robert L. Richards (based on a story by Stuart N. Lake)

Music by: Joseph Gershenson

Cinematographer: William H. Daniels

Production Cost: Not publicly disclosed.

Box Office: Not publicly disclosed, but considered a commercial and critical success.

Awards: It did not win major awards but is recognized as a classic of the western genre.

Critics' Reception

Winchester ’73 was widely praised for its innovative storytelling, Anthony Mann's direction, and James Stewart's performance. The film is known for its unique approach to the story, following the journey of a Winchester Model 1873 rifle through various owners. It is considered one of the finest examples of the western genre and helped to revitalize the genre in the 1950s.