"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" is a classic 1962 American Western film directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne and James Stewart. The story centers on Senator Ransom "Ranse" Stoddard (Stewart) who returns to his hometown for the funeral of Tom Doniphon (Wayne), a local rancher. Through flashbacks, Stoddard recounts his rise from a young, idealistic lawyer trying to bring law and order to a wild Western town, Shinbone, which is terrorized by the outlaw Liberty Valance. After being beaten by Valance, Stoddard is helped by Doniphon and eventually learns to defend himself. The story climaxes in a famous showdown where Valance is killed, but the true shooter is a key secret revealed in the film. The movie explores themes of legend versus truth, justice, and change in the American West.
The film is notable for its iconic cast and is considered a significant Western, with a nostalgic depiction of the transition from frontier violence to civilized society. It has been praised for its narrative and cultural significance, even selected for preservation by the U.S. Library of Congress.
If you are referring to something else with "the man who shot," please clarify the context. Otherwise, this film is the most recognized work associated with that phrase.
