The Sheepman

1958
Approved
1h 25m

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

3.2K

YOUR RATING

Shirley MacLaine and Glenn Ford in The Sheepman (1958)

A brash stranger and his sheep arrive in a small town, but not soon after, the townspeople decide they've seen enough of him.

Play trailer2:30

1 Video

91 Photos

Western

A brash stranger and his sheep arrive in a small town, but not soon after, the townspeople decide they've seen enough of him.A brash stranger and his sheep arrive in a small town, but not soon after, the townspeople decide they've seen enough of him.A brash stranger and his sheep arrive in a small town, but not soon after, the townspeople decide they've seen enough of him.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

3.2K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 3 nominations total

Red
(as Buzz Henry)

Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez

Angelo

Richard Alexander

Barfly
(uncredited)

Leon Alton

Party Guest
(uncredited)

Roscoe Ates

Town Loafer
(uncredited)

Emile Avery

Party Guest
(uncredited)

Walter Bacon

Townsman
(uncredited)

Irene Barton

Mme. Fifi
(uncredited)

Danny Borzage

Accordionist
(uncredited)

John Bose

Townsman
(uncredited)

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Trial

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Glenn Ford was nearly 20 years older than Shirley MacLaine.

Goofs
The action is supposed to be in the summer, specifically around the Fourth of July, as evidenced by the town holding a July 4th party. But outdoor Fall colors are clearly in evidence throughout the film.

Quotes
Angelo: How come you get into the sheep business, boss?
Jason Sweet: Well, I'll tell ya, Angelo. You see, it's this way. I just got tired of kicking cows around. You know how dumb they are.
Angelo: And you think sheep are smarter?
Jason Sweet: Oh, no, no. They're dumber. Only their easier kicking...and woollier.

Connections
Featured in 100 Years of the Hollywood Western (1994)

Soundtracks
Buffalo Girls
(uncredited)
Traditional
[Sung at the party when Sweet is taken to visit the colonel]

User reviews43

Featured review

8/10

Nothing sheepish about this Beef and Lamb Hot Pot.

The Sheepman is directed by George Marshall and written by William Bowers, James Edward Grant and William Roberts. It stars Glenn Ford, Shirley MacLaine, Leslie Nielsen, Mickey Shaughnessy, Edgar Buchanan, Willis Bouchey, Pernell Roberts, and Slim Pickens. Music is by Jeff Alexander and cinematography by Robert J. Bronner.

Utterly delightful semi-comic Oater, The Sheepman pitches Ford as sheep farmer Jason Sweet, who arrives in Powder Valley - a place ruled by cattle ranchers only - and upturns the applecart by announcing he intends to let his sheep graze on the lands there. Trouble, motives and back stories will out!

With the exception of some poor rear projection work, this is a pic that's constructed with style and humour. The opening is a doozy as Sweet quickly puts down a marker in the town, with a glint in his eye and a punch of some force. It's an irresistible characterisation by Ford, deftly blending humour with machismo, setting up the rest of the film by firmly pulling us viewers onto his side. Supporting cast are bang on the money, doing justice to well written characters (the screenplay was Oscar nominated), with the writing also having some nous via twists and a commitment to never let the story be boring or twee.

An absolute must see film for fans of the irrepressible Glenn Ford. 8/10