Hallie is initially attracted to Liberty Valance because he is everything that Tom Doniphon is not. He is strong, charismatic, and exciting. However, as Hallie gets to know Tom, she realizes that he is the better man. He is kind, compassionate, and brave.
The film reaches its climax when Tom Doniphon and Liberty Valance face off in a gunfight. Tom Doniphon is victorious, but he is also mortally wounded. As he lies dying, Tom Doniphon tells Hallie that he is not the hero that she thought he was. He admits that he shot Liberty Valance in cold blood.
Hallie is shocked by Tom Doniphon's confession, but she also understands it. She realizes that Tom Doniphon had to do what he did to protect her and the community.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a classic Western that tells a story about love, loss, and the nature of heroism. The film is a reminder that the truth is often more complicated than we think and that sometimes the best heroes are the ones who are not perfect.