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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Henry King was a film director of great longevity. He directed his first film "Who Pays" in 1916 and made his last "Tender is the night" in 1962. That he survived in the film industry this long was testament to his durability. Sadly most of his films are very forgettable affairs indeed. Amongst his large body of work he made two startlingly good films which stand out like shining beacons from the rest. In 1949 he made "Twelve O Clock High" set in the second World War, which has long been used as an example of the pressures that leadership can bring. In 1950 he made "The Gunfighter". He also made one interesting film in 1958 called "The Bravados", a film that highlighted the perils of taking the law into your own hands. All these films starred Gregory Peck. My Mother would argue vociferously that "Love is a many Splendoured Thing" is an all time great. I dont suggest you watch it to find out!
"The Gunfighter" is a very bleak and desolate film. The sort of film that has storm clouds and birds of prey hovering over it. The stark black and white merely accentuates that. It is full of forboding and menace. Gregory Peck plays Jimmy Ringo a a gunslinger unable to escape his reputation and a target for every two bit gunny. At the start of the film he is forced to gun down a very youthful looking Richard Jaeckel who taunts him into action. But he has three brothers who will be after his blood, so he is forced to move on yet again. Ringo is aging and he is tired of this hunted existence. He stops in the town of Cayenne where he sees his wife who has changed her name and his young son with whom he was unable to enjoy any sort of relationship. You realise early on that there can be no happy conclusion and that Ringo will never escape his past. We head inexorably to a tragic finale.... Read more ›
"The Gunfighter" is a very bleak and desolate film. The sort of film that has storm clouds and birds of prey hovering over it. The stark black and white merely accentuates that. It is full of forboding and menace. Gregory Peck plays Jimmy Ringo a a gunslinger unable to escape his reputation and a target for every two bit gunny. At the start of the film he is forced to gun down a very youthful looking Richard Jaeckel who taunts him into action. But he has three brothers who will be after his blood, so he is forced to move on yet again. Ringo is aging and he is tired of this hunted existence. He stops in the town of Cayenne where he sees his wife who has changed her name and his young son with whom he was unable to enjoy any sort of relationship. You realise early on that there can be no happy conclusion and that Ringo will never escape his past. We head inexorably to a tragic finale.... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Through the history of film there have been a few classic pairings of director and actor that have produced some out and out great films - Anthony Mann/James Stewart, John Huston/Humphrey Bogart, John Ford/John Wayne for example. I would humbly add Henry King/Gregory Peck to that list.
Though (as far as I know) they only made three films together, The Gunfighter, Twelve O'Clock High and Bravados, all three stand as some of the best work in the canon of either man, and all three were great movies that had that extra something that set them apart from the herd.
The Gunfighter is a tale of a hardened old west gunslinger, Jimmy Ringo. Once a hot headed young blood, he is older, wiser, and weary of the life he has chosen. Weary of being challenged in every town by some young squirt who wants to make a name for himself by beating the fastest gun in the West. After being forced to kill again in self defence he heads for a town where he hopes he can find salvation. Soon the entire town is on tenterhooks as his very presence in the saloon brings the entire community to a halt. What follows is a great tale as Ringo tries to keep out of trouble and make amends with his estranged wife.
Peck excels as Ringo, a man with a dubious past but now trying to do the right thing. He brings a gravity to the character, and turns him from being a mere archetypal gunslinger into a very real human. His quiet dignity as he faces all that he is trying to escape is the best part of the film.
Also of note is Millard Mitchell as an ex member of Ringo's gang, now sheriff of the town. He understands just how things are going to play out, and with out fear or favour does his best to keep the town in control and keep both Ringo and any ambitious young guns alive.... Read more ›
Though (as far as I know) they only made three films together, The Gunfighter, Twelve O'Clock High and Bravados, all three stand as some of the best work in the canon of either man, and all three were great movies that had that extra something that set them apart from the herd.
The Gunfighter is a tale of a hardened old west gunslinger, Jimmy Ringo. Once a hot headed young blood, he is older, wiser, and weary of the life he has chosen. Weary of being challenged in every town by some young squirt who wants to make a name for himself by beating the fastest gun in the West. After being forced to kill again in self defence he heads for a town where he hopes he can find salvation. Soon the entire town is on tenterhooks as his very presence in the saloon brings the entire community to a halt. What follows is a great tale as Ringo tries to keep out of trouble and make amends with his estranged wife.
Peck excels as Ringo, a man with a dubious past but now trying to do the right thing. He brings a gravity to the character, and turns him from being a mere archetypal gunslinger into a very real human. His quiet dignity as he faces all that he is trying to escape is the best part of the film.
Also of note is Millard Mitchell as an ex member of Ringo's gang, now sheriff of the town. He understands just how things are going to play out, and with out fear or favour does his best to keep the town in control and keep both Ringo and any ambitious young guns alive.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The name Nunnally Johnson on the credits as producer (also uncredited writer) should alert you to the fact that you're likely to get a literate film with left-ish leanings (not easy in 1950 Hollywood). In this era there's a lot of overlap between film noir and Westerns, and the theme of a man haunted by his past is common to both genres. The gunfighter trying to escape his past is not exactly an original idea, but what gives it depth is the portrait of the community which is disrupted by the arrival of the man on the run. Everyone down to the barber is deftly portrayed, and the conflict between the outsider and the settled community is the stronger for it. Most of the action is internal, in the mind of the man trying to change, trying to avoid conflict, but inevitably drawn into it. Gregory Peck gives a strong and subtle performance, and is matched by Millard Mitchell as his former gang colleague, now gone straight, who is trying to hold the town together and protect his friend at the same time.
Anyone looking for an action pic is likely to be disappointed, because the gunfights are few and over in a flash. But that doesn't make it any the less dramatic or tense. Unlike film noir, however, the film ends on a note of redemption. It is possible to break the cycle of violence, and end the corrupting myth-making of the gunflighter as hero - I told you Johnson was a leftie.
Not quite a classic, because it's badly let down by Helen Westcott as the love interest. Westcott manages to be both frumpy and a bad actress. Thankfully she's not on screen for long, but it still makes the central plot point of why the incredibly handsome Peck is in town rather incredible.
But if you can ignore this, you will be well rewarded.
Anyone looking for an action pic is likely to be disappointed, because the gunfights are few and over in a flash. But that doesn't make it any the less dramatic or tense. Unlike film noir, however, the film ends on a note of redemption. It is possible to break the cycle of violence, and end the corrupting myth-making of the gunflighter as hero - I told you Johnson was a leftie.
Not quite a classic, because it's badly let down by Helen Westcott as the love interest. Westcott manages to be both frumpy and a bad actress. Thankfully she's not on screen for long, but it still makes the central plot point of why the incredibly handsome Peck is in town rather incredible.
But if you can ignore this, you will be well rewarded.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Gunfighter
Great classic western. A worthy addition to anyone who loves western movies. One to view many times. Delivered very quickly from the supplier. A good price to. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. Leonard Morris
4.0 out of 5 stars
I want you to see what it means to live like a big tough gun.
Aging gunfighter Jimmy Ringo is feeling his age, he is tired of looking over his shoulder and just wants to get to a nearby town to be reunited with his son. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Spike Owen
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Impressive Western
Gregory Peck does a very good performance as gunfighter Johnny Ringo in this watchable impressive dark western which was directed by Henry King who also directed Peck in "Twelve o... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mrs. Marilyn A. Rice
5.0 out of 5 stars
WESTERN CLASSICS
These are movies that I have not seen in a while and enjoyed watching them again. Movies today just don't compare to the old classics and the actors that starred in them.
Published 8 months ago by RAYMOND J. YOZWIAK
3.0 out of 5 stars
DVD Purchase.
I was pleased to see this item on sale and received it in a good timeframe. The price was very reasonable and the quality of the product was acceptable.
Ian Bell
Ian Bell
Published 12 months ago by Ian Bell
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very good
Excellent cast & script make this a very good western. The only downside is that it's in B&W, western scenery in colour always adds to the enjoyment of this type of film.
Published on 23 Feb 2011 by davidswiss1
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gunfight at the Considerably More Than OK Corral
This doesn't seem to get into the pantheon of great westerns, oddly, and although it lacks the epic grandeur of a Shane, it is something of a masterpiece in its own right, able to... Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2009 by R. A. Johnson
2.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
In my opinion there are only two films worth watching with Mr Peck in and this is one of them. Western fans only though. Quality of picture and sound ok. Read more
Published on 9 May 2009 by Mr Viewer
3.0 out of 5 stars
The makings of a better picture
This has the makings of an excellent western, but falls short. A potentially interesting though hardly original theme - ageing gunfighter senses his name will be next on the... Read more
Published on 5 May 2009 by Humpty Dumpty
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Gunfighter..... no Hollywood ending!
Sitting watching this movie it gives , I feel, a realism to what life was like in the days of the "Wild Wild West" Peck is the character of the films title ,the fastest draw and... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2009 by Mr. N. MACDONALD
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