The Sheepman

The Sheepman I recall seeing the original eons ago at a theater. Glenn Ford, Shirley MacLaine, Leslie Nielsen, Mickey Shaughnessy, Edgar Buchanan, Pernell Roberts, Slim Pickens, what more could one ask of a cast for a western? Up until Warner Brother's decided to publish its long list of winning films, The Sheepman was only available in a European Format which if it worked at all on a USA DVD player would not be of the best qualityPowder Valley is a cattle town, with a capital C. In rides Jason Sweet (Ford) on the train, with an attitude and a load of sheep quickly to follow. However, his decision to run a herd of sheep in cattle country IS a bit more than just an attitude in a town like Powder Valley. Just to make sure his point is clear enough, Sweet goes far out of his way to provoke everyone in town, including a young and foxy Dale (Shirley MacLaine at the height of her beauty). The cattle crowd led by Colonel Stephen Bedford and Dale's father, both large cattle holders which are not very happy about Sweet's idea of driving sheep into the valley.Sweet pushes every button he can to let everyone know he has not come to town to win a popularity contest, (noted by Buchanan's character). All of Sweet's moves are accomplished with a sharp supply of acidic, sarcastic, humor, including his picking a fight with Shaughnessy's character. He then displays an incredible quick draw and shoot trick with sardonically humorous aplomb letting all and sundry know of his deadly intentions.Mickey Shaughnessy, is perfect with his usual bumbling, not so-bright characterization of a tough guy, who is a bit slow on the uptake. Leslie Nielsen as the Colonel, shows his often dark side, created long before his buffoonish character's in later life. Conversely Buchanan, sheds his sometimes devious criminal side with humor and loyalty. Pickens is the sheriff who goes off fishing at the slightest hint of legal trouble and the whole cast is excellent.Turns out the Colonel, who Sweet knows as Johnny, is an old acquaintance. Johnny/The Colonel, has Sweet hijacked to a meeting and it becomes apparent that Sweet is on some sort of vengeance crusade against the Colonel, or one of his associates. There are a few other twists and turns, among which that Sweet and Dale have eyes for each other despite her engagement to the Colonel, so Sweet tells her that he is after the man who, seven years before, killed Sweet's fiancee'. The Colonel, it is soon discovered, has been indulging in secret land grabbing of the open ranges, which leads to Dale breaking off her engagement and siding in with Sweet and her father to pull away from support of the Colonel.Overall, it is one of Ford's best comedic westerns, wise cracking and slugging and shooting his way along to the climax, a series of gunfights, one in which he is up against impossible odds facing the man who killed his fiancee'. I will say no more either about the plot nor the ending, because I do not want to spoil the final resolutions for you.The DVD was fine and crisp, clear and without hitches. I only found one problem with the film, and that was the price of $26.95 or $24.95 at Amazon. One can buy an album of similar films for the same price or a bit more. I bought my copy for $18.99 through an Amazon Associate. Warner and some others in this era of depression/inflation are pushing the DVD price envelope. There are few movies I would pay more than $7.50 for and this was one of them.As for content, for its genre' I give it 5 stars.

Glen Ford is one of my favorite actors. I particularly like him in Sheepman

If you get sentimental about Glenn Ford movies, you'll like this one. It is refreshingly funny - he isn't always, but Shirley MacLaine's comic shtick and overt avoidance of Ford's womanizing Jason Sweet gives the story a rom-com twist. Sheepmen, as history bears out, were anathema to cowboys and cattle owners. Needless to say, once Sweet rides his unflappable self into town, his trouble with locals begins. Leslie Nielson plays Ford's double-dealing nemesis, and affords one with a rare look at his earlier, more serious self. Nobody is serious for too long, however, as the likes of Slim Pickens and other Western character actors do their part to make the film amusing. There is an ironic twist at the end when Sweet is all done with his bovine conflicts.On the negative side, it has low-budget and obvious background scenes, especially noticeable when Ford and MacLaine are riding together. This wasn't unusual for the time period, but may be particularly disagreeable to younger viewers. The humor doesn't quite rise to the level of Cat Ballou, but you can see where Westerns started to trend in this '58 film.In short, The Sheepman is better than OK, but not fantastic.

The Imdb rating on this film is 6.9 which made no sense to me at all. The plot is inventive, the acting excellent, plenty of drama, it does not drag, good scenery, well-staged town scenes. What more can one ask in a western? Glenn Ford does droll understatement as few actors have been able to, and its rarity in a western qualifies as another attribute. You will enjoy it.

I love this film (very funny and entertaining), but the audio of this pressing is super quiet. I bought it to watch with my Dad on Father’s Day. He’s hard of hearing, and the audio problem sure didn’t help. Also, I wish that it offered subtitles.

This is one of my favorites among the Glenn Ford westerns, as it is a good mix of typical western cowboy movies, action, humor and some tragedy. It is a tale of a traditional cowboy who decides to get into the sheep-raising business - in cattle country. Naturally, Ford realizes that in that environment, where sheep men are not only unwelcome, but they are misunderstood, mistreated, and hated. Ford must initially show his courage in several entertaining ways, but with some tragic outcomes. This is a film that will hold your interest for sure, and is a good buy.

I guess it's just about fulfilling movie contract. Interesting to see bit actors in movies other than the ones they're famous for like Gonzalez Gonzalez not in a Duke film, Mr. Edgar Buchanan even Leslie Nelson. And the man known as Jumbo in this movie was the drunkard in North to Alaska with the Duke. All in all it's a nice movie and you must admit Shirley MacLaine always gives a great job opposite Glenn Ford two 👍

Loved the movie

Great picture quality always liked the movie, but any time I watched it on TV, it always looked dated

all ok

Great film, right widescreen format

another good glen ford western

I love Glenn Ford and this is may be his best. A young Leslie Neilson and Shirley McLaine are great additions. The Colorado scenery is magnificent but it is all the lovely fall colours and they have a 4th of July party in the film.