Directed by John Ford
Produced by John Ford & Merian C. Cooper
Screenplay by Laurence Stallings, Frank S. Nugent & Robert Nathan
Based on The Three Godfathers by Peter B. Kyne
Director Of Photography: Winton Hoch, ASC
Film Editor: Jack Murray
Musical Score: Richard Hageman
Cast: John Wayne (Robert Marmaduke Hightower), Pedro Armendáriz (Pedro Encarnación Escalante y Rocafuerte, AKA Pete), Harry Carey Jr. (William Kearney, The Abilene Kid), Mildred Natwick (Mother), Ward Bond (Sheriff Perley “Buck” Sweet), Mae Marsh (Mrs. Sweet), Jane Darwell (Miss Florie), Guy Kibbee (Judge), Hank Worden (Curly), Dorothy Ford (Ruby Latham), Charles Halton (Oliver Latham), Jack Pennick (Luke), Fred Libby (Deputy), Ben Johnson (Posseman), Michael Dugan (Posseman), Francis Ford (Drunken Old-Timer at Bar), Richard Hageman (Piano Player In Saloon), Ruth Clifford (Woman in Bar), Jack Curtis (Bartender), Harry Tenbrook (Bartender), Gertrude Astor (Townswoman), Eva Novak (Townswoman), Amelia Yelda (Robert William Pedro Hightower)
I wrote about John Ford’s 3 Godfathers (1948) a couple of Christmases ago. (Go read it, I’ll wait.) As I see it, it’s another Ford masterpiece, yet it often gets shrugged off for being too sentimental, too religious, too hokey. At the time of that previous post, many of us lamented the fact that the DVD was only adequate, given that this is surely one of the most beautiful Westerns ever made.
Well, Warner Archive has come through — and come through big. Their new Blu-Ray of 3 Godfathers is stunning. I was expecting a knockout, given the home runs they’ve hit of late (Rancho Notorious, The Naked Spur), but this really blew me away. The tribute to Harry Carey gave me goosebumps. The deep-focus shots of the desert are just incredible, significantly adding to the three bandits’ isolation in the desert. And the rich black shadows give the entire film a real sense of depth.
A good transfer can make a great film greater. No question.
Warner Archive has gone a step further, giving us the 1936 version of Peter B. Kyne’s story as an extra. It stars Chester Morris (who looks really cool in his black cowboy hat), Lewis Stone, Walter Brennan and Sidney Toler. It’s interesting to see how Ford attacks the same material (oh, how I’d love to see Ford’s lost 1919 version, Three Marked Men).
I can’t recommend 3 Godfathers highly enough. It might be the most moving film I’ve ever seen — or maybe it’s just the one where John Ford manipulates me the most. (Just thinking about it gets me.)
Hate telling people how to spend their money, especially nowadays when nobody has any money to spend. But you need this Blu-Ray. Buy a Blu-Ray player and a new TV if you have to. It’ll be worth every penny.
I agree completely with you, a terrific picture. Brilliantly realised and performed, especially by John Wayne, but not limited to him. Never forget Ward Bond, and Jane Darwell. I do not see how any detail might be bettered.
An aside: I have on a single DVD a pair of fine variations, Hell’s Heroes with Charles Bickford and Raymond Hatton, directed by William Wyler, and evenbetter, Richard Boleslawski’s version of Three Godfathers with an excellent Chester Morris in the lead, supported by Lewis Stone, Walter Brennan and Irene Hervey.
The ’36 Chester Morris one is an extra on the Blu-Ray.
Good to know.
The new Blu-ray of 3 Godfathers is breathtaking, and shows how gorgeous a palette of earthy, dusty colors can be in Technicolor (with brilliant pops of pink and red from Sweet’s flower garden and the clothing of the saloon ladies near the end). The new HD presentation of the black and white 1936 Three Godfathers is also beautiful and a fascinating contrast in how different the same story can be depending on who is telling it. Three Godfathers will also be screened at the upcoming TCM film festival. Warner’s’ new restoration of The Searchers will also debut at the festival. Fingers crossed for a theatrical release and 4K.
Great to hear. WAC is money in the bank. Now only to not go broke.
Have never seen it
Criterion is releasing PAT GARRET AND BILLY THE KID in 3 different cuts on BLU RAY and 4K on July 2nd.