A good movie to watch when you're stuck at home in a blizzard, there's nothing else on TV, and you've seen everything else in your collection. The dialogue is bad, the plot unbelievable, and the ending beyond comprehension, but other than that, it's not bad.
15 Reviews
OK oater
winner555 May 2009
A direct-to-video pilot for a cowboy series that apparently didn't sell. Pretty conventional TV Western benefits from plenty action sequences and straight-forward acting by all concerned. Improbable plot twists manage to get salvaged by general motivational drive and inherent decency of main characters. Good to see George Kennedy make one last film as a heavy.
Some nice location camera work. Editing is professional and the script not too talky.
One minor drawback: the pacifist character Dutch is a real bore, and played by the weakest actor in the cast. Fortunately his lectures are kept to brief lines about "violence never solves anything." Other than Dutch, the characters are pretty likable and fast on the draw.
Wholly unmemorable, but not a complete waste of time. Still, feels like a throwback to another era - more than a little out of date, even given its release year.
Some nice location camera work. Editing is professional and the script not too talky.
One minor drawback: the pacifist character Dutch is a real bore, and played by the weakest actor in the cast. Fortunately his lectures are kept to brief lines about "violence never solves anything." Other than Dutch, the characters are pretty likable and fast on the draw.
Wholly unmemorable, but not a complete waste of time. Still, feels like a throwback to another era - more than a little out of date, even given its release year.
Beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick
srlucado21 March 2008
Several minuses (silly plot, typical TV-movie production values), several pluses (a fight scene in a bar that is truly unique, good Canadian locations), and quick pacing add up to a decent time-waster.
Whatever you do, don't follow the story, actually look at a map, and think about the distances these people need to cover on horseback. It'd be hard enough to do in a Ford Mustang, let alone on a four-legged one. But what the heck.
One big plus is a ripping theme song; might've become a dance-club hit--in some alternate universe.
Overall, this movie is okay.
Whatever you do, don't follow the story, actually look at a map, and think about the distances these people need to cover on horseback. It'd be hard enough to do in a Ford Mustang, let alone on a four-legged one. But what the heck.
One big plus is a ripping theme song; might've become a dance-club hit--in some alternate universe.
Overall, this movie is okay.
bad, bad, bad !
sandcrab15 August 2002
From the onset, this film was bent on destruction. Even in one's wildest imagination, Kansas doesn't come close to resembling the scenery in the film. When this much liberty is taken with the scenery, one might also wonder how it fared with the plot. Weaker than the cast. I fell asleep 3 times before I finally gave in and put on another movie.
Normally I love westerns. But this...
Wizard-822 August 2013
The Canadian TV movie "The Gunfighters" was apparently made to also be a pilot for a prospective weekly television series. Apparently the network decided against this, and I have to say, "Thank goodness!" This is a really bad TV movie, pilot or not. The production values are really poor, ranging from clothing that looks nothing like cowboy garb found in the 1800s to cheesy indoor sets. The musical score is sour, and at one point plagiarizes several bars from Ennio Morricone's score for "A Fistful of Dollars". The acting is sub par, with even George Kennedy (who obviously knocked off his scenes in a few days) unable to generate much enthusiasm. But the worst thing about the movie has to be the script. It is filled with one cliché after another, from the actions of the characters to their dialogue. The icing on the cake is the unbelievable final few minutes that gives us a deus ex machina resolution of sorts (though leave some plot points unresolved.) I find it hard to believe any western fan would be entertained by this.
Chiseled for Kansas
wes-connors17 May 2008
Canadian-filmed television western which fails to make the most of its lush location and attractive cast. In Kansas, hunky young Tony Addabbo (as Matt Everett) visits a girlfriend; there, in self-defense, he shoots the man he finds in her boudoir. Unfortunately, the lass happens to be the sheriff's daughter, which contributes to Mr. Addabbo's becoming the outlaw known as "The Kansas Kid". Soon, he is joined by brother Art Hindle (as Cole Everett) and cousin Reiner Schoene (as Dutch Everett). The Everett Gang's main adversary is gravitas-lending veteran George Kennedy (as Deke Turner). Addabbo and duplicitous pal Howard Kruschke (as Jake Morant) lead the players in having excellent hair days.
**** The Gunfighters (10/27/87) Clay Borris ~ Tony Addabbo, Art Hindle, George Kennedy, Reiner Schoene
**** The Gunfighters (10/27/87) Clay Borris ~ Tony Addabbo, Art Hindle, George Kennedy, Reiner Schoene
Ride, Obvious Plot Points and Moldy Old Script, Ride!
NoDakTatum3 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This lame 1987 Canadian made-for-television western is one of the most predictable films I have ever seen. Brothers Cole (Art Hindle) and Matt Everett (Anthony Addabbo) and their cousin Dutch (Reiner Schone) run a small Kansas ranch. The local town is run by Deke Turner (George Kennedy), who is buying the surrounding land and causing the Everetts trouble. Matt idolizes Billy the Kid, and gets pretty good with a gun before shooting one of Turner's men in self defense. Matt goes on the run, as Turner puts the squeeze on Cole and Dutch. Matt is eventually captured, rendering about twenty minutes of this film pointless, so Cole and Dutch rescue him and another criminal, Jake (Howard Kruschke) from a train. Turner's men dress like "savage Indians" and burn the Everett's ranch down, and the family joins Jake's gang, robbing any trains or stagecoaches carrying Turner's money, but politely not killing anyone. The trio sign on for one more job, which goes horribly wrong, and are saddled with a pregnant woman, and a newly hired Pinkerton detective hot on their trail.
Seriously? A ruthless tyrant running an entire frontier town? Villains dressing like Indians? One more holdup before the protagonists retire? Really? Writer Jim Byrnes trots out all the cliches, desperately trying to make them new and different. I left out the dangling subplots and finale- this was obviously a television pilot that hoped all of this unfinished business would be taken care of in subsequent episodes. The viewer is also assaulted with the worst theme song since I watched the lousy western "She Came to the Valley" the day before. Here, the song pretty much recounts the plot, so if you come in late, you can pick up on what is happening. Director Clay Borris does a very nice job considering the script he was handed. Dutch doesn't use a gun (of course, that's Byrnes' idea of characterization), and participates in a nicely shot bullwhip fight. Hindle, Addabbo, and Schone are all fine, delivering the expositional lines well. Kennedy appears distracted, like he's trying to figure out the exchange rate for his paycheck. The western settings look like touristy frontier villages, but Borris can stage an action scene pretty well, and he is given plenty of opportunities. I watched this film on one of those dollar DVD's that specializes in public domain films. "The Gunfighters" isn't as bad as most of those, but I knew exactly where it was headed before the characters did.
Seriously? A ruthless tyrant running an entire frontier town? Villains dressing like Indians? One more holdup before the protagonists retire? Really? Writer Jim Byrnes trots out all the cliches, desperately trying to make them new and different. I left out the dangling subplots and finale- this was obviously a television pilot that hoped all of this unfinished business would be taken care of in subsequent episodes. The viewer is also assaulted with the worst theme song since I watched the lousy western "She Came to the Valley" the day before. Here, the song pretty much recounts the plot, so if you come in late, you can pick up on what is happening. Director Clay Borris does a very nice job considering the script he was handed. Dutch doesn't use a gun (of course, that's Byrnes' idea of characterization), and participates in a nicely shot bullwhip fight. Hindle, Addabbo, and Schone are all fine, delivering the expositional lines well. Kennedy appears distracted, like he's trying to figure out the exchange rate for his paycheck. The western settings look like touristy frontier villages, but Borris can stage an action scene pretty well, and he is given plenty of opportunities. I watched this film on one of those dollar DVD's that specializes in public domain films. "The Gunfighters" isn't as bad as most of those, but I knew exactly where it was headed before the characters did.
Decent TV Movie
FightingWesterner3 April 2010
Level-headed rancher Art Hindle, his hot-headed younger brother, and their Dutch immigrant cousin are forced into a confrontation with evil land-baron George Kennedy, when Hindle's brother shoots a man in self-defense and is framed by the local authorities under Kennedy's instruction. Soon, the ranch is torched and the whole family is turned into desperadoes.
There's really nothing new here and some of the performances are a little overwrought at times, but the story is straight-forward, unpretentious and entertaining, with a few timeless themes that are worth repeating. If you're expecting something slick though, you may be disappointed.
It's nice to see Canadian character actor Art Hindle in a starring role for once, instead of his usual appearance as second or third banana to some other star.
Some interesting moments involve a duel with whips, the outlaws being forced to birth a baby, and the satisfying, though open-ended finale that looked to me like a setup for sequels, or perhaps a TV series that never materialized.
There's really nothing new here and some of the performances are a little overwrought at times, but the story is straight-forward, unpretentious and entertaining, with a few timeless themes that are worth repeating. If you're expecting something slick though, you may be disappointed.
It's nice to see Canadian character actor Art Hindle in a starring role for once, instead of his usual appearance as second or third banana to some other star.
Some interesting moments involve a duel with whips, the outlaws being forced to birth a baby, and the satisfying, though open-ended finale that looked to me like a setup for sequels, or perhaps a TV series that never materialized.
"Son, I wouldn't wanna be in your boots".
classicsoncall21 June 2011
Warning: Spoilers
In 1950, there was "The Gunfighter" with Gregory Peck, one of my all time favorite Westerns. In 1999, there was a Christopher Coppola directed flick simply called "Gunfighter", which was every bit as bad as the 1950 film was good. In between, you had "The Gunfighters", looking very much like a made for TV Western, right down to the obviously edited commercial break fades. With a relatively unknown cast, except for George Kennedy in a major heel role, this film is passable with a few creative touches. Like the barroom bull-whip contest between Dutch Everett (Reinor Schone) and Deke Turner's nameless henchman (Steve Atkinson). And I can't say for sure if it was a goof or not, but when Cole (Art Hindle) shot at the the portrait behind Deke Turner, he knocked both eyes out with a single bullet. Now that's some fancy shootin'!
Otherwise this is a pretty standard Western from start to finish, more on the B side than a good theatrical effort. Most of the time the Everret's (brothers Matt and Cole and cousin Dutch) are on the run from the law, thanks to Matt's (Tony Addabbo) quick reflexes and sure-fire aim. Killing someone is always good for a price on your head, especially if the town boss is calling the shots. The Everett's become reluctant outlaws to get some measure of revenge against the Turner bunch, teaming up with a trigger happy Sam Martin (Frances Damberger) and his gang. That was bound to cause trouble.
Throw in a few reward posters, some Pinkerton agents, and a pregnant woman on the way to meet up with her husband, and you have the remaining ingredients for a ninety minute oater. Even though the good guys turn bad for a while, they're redeemed in the end by a Wyoming governor who offers them a job as lawmen. Yes, you read that right, and you'll just have to watch it to find out how that came about.
You know what puzzles me - how did the newspaper pop up at the line shack with Billy the Kid's death on the front page?
Otherwise this is a pretty standard Western from start to finish, more on the B side than a good theatrical effort. Most of the time the Everret's (brothers Matt and Cole and cousin Dutch) are on the run from the law, thanks to Matt's (Tony Addabbo) quick reflexes and sure-fire aim. Killing someone is always good for a price on your head, especially if the town boss is calling the shots. The Everett's become reluctant outlaws to get some measure of revenge against the Turner bunch, teaming up with a trigger happy Sam Martin (Frances Damberger) and his gang. That was bound to cause trouble.
Throw in a few reward posters, some Pinkerton agents, and a pregnant woman on the way to meet up with her husband, and you have the remaining ingredients for a ninety minute oater. Even though the good guys turn bad for a while, they're redeemed in the end by a Wyoming governor who offers them a job as lawmen. Yes, you read that right, and you'll just have to watch it to find out how that came about.
You know what puzzles me - how did the newspaper pop up at the line shack with Billy the Kid's death on the front page?
Great Film
martinh-410 September 2005
I really enjoyed watching this film - it had a lot going for it. I particularly liked the piece of instrumental music playing and the song - Gunfighter (?). If you're at home and simply wish to chill out, grab this film as I'm certain you'll enjoy it - especially if you like Westerns. Earlier oaters are my favorite (eg. Roy Rogers, Tex Ritter, Tom Mix, and early John Wayne), however, for a change, I bought this film on DVD and was not disappointed. Boy! Was the West tough.
The actors were good - I especially liked "Dutch" and "Matt" Everett. The film is pretty well fast paced and some of the filming techniques are unusual. There is quite a lot of scenery for those who enjoy the great outdoors and the horses were nice to look at. The film brings up some good moral dilemmas, as too issues somewhat relevant still today.
The actors were good - I especially liked "Dutch" and "Matt" Everett. The film is pretty well fast paced and some of the filming techniques are unusual. There is quite a lot of scenery for those who enjoy the great outdoors and the horses were nice to look at. The film brings up some good moral dilemmas, as too issues somewhat relevant still today.
A movie to get you to check some history .
sherrymathis9 September 2005
One of the best westerns I have seen in a long time. Makes you wonder who was worse the outlaws or the law. The story was very convincing and makes you want to know more about the western families. The Everetts were able to understand what would happen when they took the law into their own hands. It tells how the rich were able to get the law to work for them. The common rancher has no chance against another rich rancher. The common rancher was not believed even when he had facts to back him up The rich rancher could pay the law to do what he wanted done. The Everetts did not want to kill and only wanted to be treated right and not cheated out of their land. The youngest was accused of murder only when he was defending himself and was framed by the law.
Vintage Western, like the studio system used to make.
opsbooks25 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Like most Westerns I've viewed lately, this came in a cheap 10-movies for ten bucks DVD pack. I figured when the credits rolled that as it had George Kennedy in it, it had to be good viewing. And such was the case; a simple good verses bad story, an interesting script and intelligently underplayed performances by a likable cast.
As someone else pointed out, the locations didn't seem appropriate but it didn't seem to matter. The story maintained my - and my viewing companion's - interest from start to finish. The actual print wasn't the best being rather washed out, unless that was the intended effect!
So all in all, a Western in the vintage style, more akin to what you'd see in a movie house in the late 1930s, if a bit more realistic. And for the dollar cost, a bargain.
As someone else pointed out, the locations didn't seem appropriate but it didn't seem to matter. The story maintained my - and my viewing companion's - interest from start to finish. The actual print wasn't the best being rather washed out, unless that was the intended effect!
So all in all, a Western in the vintage style, more akin to what you'd see in a movie house in the late 1930s, if a bit more realistic. And for the dollar cost, a bargain.
the gunfighters is worth fighting for
froberts738 April 2011
Jeez these nitpickers. They don't go for the entertainment, they go to - well - pick nits. The scenery ain't right, the haircuts ain't right, the jeans ain't right, etc. The capper was the yokel who called the fine theme inappropriate for the time. Hey, Jasper, next time you watch "High Noon" turn down the volume when you hear that theme.
I gave "The Gunfighters" a big, ole western ten - enjoyed it from beginning to end. The story was intelligent and easy to follow, the characters were very well developed. The fight scenes were among the most convincing, the way they handled the guns were fantastic, the bullwhip fight was outstanding (shades of Lash La Rue but with more conviction).
The women were lovely and convincing, the story had a sort-of moral to it. The trio of leads, who kept their hair neat through the melees, were as honest as any of the major actors who made westerns. I was particularly impressed by the German-raised lead whose presence was so commanding.
Side note: Art Hindle's uncle is Michael Caine, and the name of the governor in the movie was Michael Kane.
George Kennedy was never more obnoxious (and I mean that as a compliment).
"The Gunfighters" has quickly become one of my favorite westerns, even though Alberta did not resemble Kansas. Heavens to Betsy!
I gave "The Gunfighters" a big, ole western ten - enjoyed it from beginning to end. The story was intelligent and easy to follow, the characters were very well developed. The fight scenes were among the most convincing, the way they handled the guns were fantastic, the bullwhip fight was outstanding (shades of Lash La Rue but with more conviction).
The women were lovely and convincing, the story had a sort-of moral to it. The trio of leads, who kept their hair neat through the melees, were as honest as any of the major actors who made westerns. I was particularly impressed by the German-raised lead whose presence was so commanding.
Side note: Art Hindle's uncle is Michael Caine, and the name of the governor in the movie was Michael Kane.
George Kennedy was never more obnoxious (and I mean that as a compliment).
"The Gunfighters" has quickly become one of my favorite westerns, even though Alberta did not resemble Kansas. Heavens to Betsy!
Ranks Right Up There With The Best
lmgluvscats14 August 2006
Just watched this on TV and I think it is great! So what if it doesn't look like Kansas, and the jeans aren't 1870. Good grief!! The story line was terrific and I only wish they had made sequels....a whole bunch, as far as I'm concerned. What was happening was typical of the old west and what they did was really unique and made for a great movie. Everyone should give it a chance and not be so "nit-picky". The actors that played the brothers were a perfect combination..they couldn't have done any better..especially Reiner Schone who added such a special twist to the story, with his way of fighting. He is my favorite. I am now going to do my best to track down the DVD and get it so I can add it to my collection, proof I think it is that good.
Two-bit, good-fer-nothing, oat-munchin, low-down, yella-bellied melodrama.
garundaboink13 February 2004
Look at any western and you can tell when it was made. How? Simply look at the haircuts and judge when they were in style. Two of the protagonists in this movie have eighties-style hockey-hair, and the older protagonist has kept his hippie-days hair. That means the film was made in the eighties. The costumes and makeup are also terribly anachronistic with Matt wearing a Levi's low cut jean jacket and tight jeans and his old girlfriend wearing lip gloss. And is that Ronnie Hawkins singing a nauseating bluesy crossover country tune from the start of the film to the end? Did they sing like that in 1870 which this film is trying to depict? The story jumps from one melodrama to the next, bouncing from a power hungry evil villain stopping honest cowpunchers from watering their cattle, to a bar fight with whips, to a self-defense killing, to stage-coach robbing, to train robbing, to jail-train breaks, to... well, when the three are assisting a birth for a hapless woman on a runaway stagecoach you get the feeling you are watching a combination of ER and the Titanic, with horses floating around in the background. One asks when they might resort to yelling "Code Blue, Ranch Shack Six, Stat" with the jiggle-cam jumping to odd corners of the room at violent jerky angles. Everything in this movie was done before, in several genres! Like Sam Goldwyn said, "Gimme some new cliches." I must find a hobby. One which requires the usage of glue and unusable DVD's. It would be a better way to spend my time.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
