THE GUNFIGHTER is a mature and reflective western that manages to subvert genre expectations within the action context and trappings of its own genre. It stars the inimitable Gregory Peck as Jimmy Ringo, a world-weary gunslinger whose biggest enemy is not one of the many villains after him but rather his own reputation. As such this is a film which explores the dark side of heroism and it feels very real and very gritty as a result.
The film itself is quite low budget, shot in black and white and with a great deal of the running time taking place within a single bar-room location. Nonetheless suspense is inherent in the premise and in some ways I was reminded of DOG DAY AFTERNOON as the situation becomes a kind of insane circus. Peck is excellent, it does go without saying really, and well supported by the likes of Karl Malden. Those looking for crowd-pleasing action sequences should look elsewhere as this is all about consequence and real-life, not gung-ho fantasy. The ending is unexpected, but very good.
The film itself is quite low budget, shot in black and white and with a great deal of the running time taking place within a single bar-room location. Nonetheless suspense is inherent in the premise and in some ways I was reminded of DOG DAY AFTERNOON as the situation becomes a kind of insane circus. Peck is excellent, it does go without saying really, and well supported by the likes of Karl Malden. Those looking for crowd-pleasing action sequences should look elsewhere as this is all about consequence and real-life, not gung-ho fantasy. The ending is unexpected, but very good.