Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Movie review - "Gunpoint" (1966) ** (warning: spoilers)

Minor Audie Murphy Western from the period when too many of them looked like episodes of a TV show - low budgets and character actors to match. He's a sheriff who forms a posse to take off after a gang of outlaws who've robbed a bank and kidnapped his ex. Accompanying him is his ex's new flame and a few scenes reminded me of Streets of Fire.

There's Indian attacks, some nasty horse thieves, a treacherous deputy... it's enough colour and movement, I guess, all of it done before and better. The most memorable bit at the end involves Audie, who is struggling with his eye sight, in a shoot out with his ex's gambler fiancee - unable to shoot him he still manages to outwit him.

Audie Murphy is fine - solid rather than exceptional, but he doesn't have much of a character to play. Denver Pyle has a potentially juicy role - a deputy jealous of him - but this is all played out too early. Warren Stevens has some good moments as a smooth gambler who is quite sympathetic because although he's an anti-hero he does seem to love Audie's ex - but she's got to go off with Audie because he's the star.

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