10 Best Deaths In Western Movies
4. Liberty Valance - The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
John Ford's classic reaches its crescendo with a duel between two very mismatched gunfighters. On one side, you've got Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin), the deadliest gunfighter out there. On the other, there's Ransom 'Ranse' Stoddard (James Stewart), an injured, out-of-his-depth attorney forced to use his left hand.
Miraculously, Stoddard gets the better of the despicable outlaw, becoming the stuff of legend to the townsfolk in the process. Via a flashback inside of another flashback, however, we discover all is not what it seems. Tom Doniphon (John Wayne), a rancher and capable gunslinger is the true culprit. Hiding nearby, Doniphon times his assassination of Liberty perfectly, letting everyone believe it was Stoddard who did the deed.
The grumpy Doniphon did it out of love for Hallie, a woman he and Stoddard both long to marry. Knowing that Hallie cares more for Stoddard than himself, the heartbroken Doniphon burns down his own home in a fit of rage.
Subsequently, Stoddard's reputation as 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance' carries him through a successful life as a politician. Deep within his mind however, the lie eats away at Stoddard and likely will until his dying day.