11/22/2014

Cimarron (1960) - A fine epic western settler adaptation



An exciting poster for Anthony Mann and Charles Walters' Cimarron

QUICK REVIEW:

Yancey (Glenn Ford) and his wife (Maria Schell) are among the Americans who rush across Oklahoma land, when the state is declared in 1889. Although the missus and son for long stretches must yield to Yancey's adventures, he becomes known as a true pioneer.

Cimarron is a handsome epic, the second film based on Edna Ferber's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel from 1929: The first from 1931 was, however, more successful both commercially and critically, winning 3 Oscars, (this Cimarron was nominated for 2 technical Oscars but won none.)
It's a film with classic western themes. It succeeds in incorporating many of life's big experiences into an engaging family saga.
It is directed by Anthony Mann (Winchester '73 (1950)), who was fired for reasons unknown and replaced at the end of shooting with Charles Walters (High Society (1956)), who finished the film. Mann, who had already had a long and illustrious film career, went on to direct epic actioners for other studios than MGM after Cimarron.





Watch the original trailer here

Cost: 5.4 mil. $
Box office: 4.8 mil. $
= Big flop
[It seems the studio (MGM) were unhappy with the way the film turned out, seeing as they fired director Mann near the end of production and also released the film without much marketing. It resulted in a major loss, reportedly 3.6 mil. $.]

What do you think of Cimarron in all the forms that you know it?
If you know why Mann was fired as the director of the film, please, enlighten us

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