Cristi_Ciopron Intriguing storyline, with a sensible script (the marshal, Ringo and his wife, the vengeful father); the opening card suggests Ringo is typical for Southwest outlaws of that age. A morning in the life of a Texan, who is respected, envied, scary, sorry, 35 yrs old, defeated, doomed, feverish, and in the twilight of his life; he looks suitably rural and unkempt. His life depends on luck, a marshal who has been his friend, three brothers who chase him by foot and are determined to avenge the death of their junior; his reputation of violence and toughness is eclipsed by Earp's. But more depth was required from the leading role, perhaps a more varied palette, as Peck provided only half of what the role asked for, and his linear, monotonous, mono-chord, unimaginative style seemed less suited; one may identify the thought here, but a ruined ferocity might give another impression than the one conveyed here, this broken ferocity could of been more convincing, perhaps. I gather that Peck was a monochrome actor, so not really a drama leading man. Despite this, a very good, sensible, clever movie, with very good acting from most of the players, and I would mention again the marshal, the father with the Winchester, Malden …. And we can take Ringo for what he is; Peck doesn't deliver bad acting, but mono-chord acting, which has several outstanding moments. (Peck wasn't a very good actor, but he wasn't a bad actor either, simply a limited and unimaginative one.) The script (inspired by De Toth) has sense and sharpness. One of the virtuous ladies claims that the setting (of the story) is not Tombstone or Deadwood.Peck has his trademark weariness, I remembered Bogart, but without either age or depth. His character doesn't look wild or dangerous, but this is what some other characters in the movie remark. He conveys a sense of pain without anger; Peck didn't seem to have much depth, Ringo is well-meaning and almost mild, but no so convincing. A fiercer performance would of made a different work. I wrote that this Ringo hasn't anger; instead, he comes across as mild more than calm. Yet this may be appropriate as well, as he's defeated and himself scared. When he is provoked by another youngster, he repeats the words he used in the beginning. This shows him as a man who has developed routines to get by, and shows him limited, tired and vulnerable.

edwagreen Cliché ridden tale of the young gunslingers constantly on the loose to challenge notorious gunmen. Doesn't it always have to take a bullet in the back to bring the want to reform gunslinger down?Gregory Peck, as Jimmy Ringo, plays such a so called reformed gunman wishing to reunite with his wife and young son despite her reluctance to do so.Helen Westcott, who changed seats with Susan Hayward, in "With A Song in My Heart," plays the reluctant wife.Ellen Corby and Verna Felton, the latter Hilda Crocker on television's "December Bride," bride represent town women looking to rid the town of troublemakers. Felton's performance becomes comic in nature.Millard Mitchell, who co-starred with Peck the year before in "12 O'Clock High," is the reformed person who escaped a life of crime, by being a minor character among hoodlums, represents an individual truly reformed.

grantss Almost a classic western. Was all set up for it. Had the interesting back-story, the bad guy trying to be a good guy, the tension - will he survive?, the bad guys breathing down his neck. However, unfortunately this was eroded by sentimentality, and a strong feeling of inevitability about the outcome. The ending also wasn't entirely satisfactory.Solid performance by Gregory Peck in the lead role (then again, he doesn't give bad performances). Good support from Millard Mitchell, as the Marshall. Karl Malden, in an early-career role, is a touch irritating as the hyperactive barman.Overall, a good western, but could have been a GREAT western.

anthonygreen93 Henry King's western, The Gunfighter (1950), follows the story of Jimmy Ringo played by Gregory Peck. Ringo is a wanted murderer and known as the fastest draw in the west. A lot of ground is covered in the 85 minutes of the film as there is seemingly all the time in the world. This is largely due to King's direction for the camera to linger on two-shots throughout. The dialogue is fast, snappy, punchy and is delivered well by the actors. Peck puts in a strong performance, displaying the cool, calm and collected aura of the character that is reflected in the script. Overall, The Gunfighter is a high quality western and a very enjoyable film. Although at times it felt slightly too slow, it holds up extremely well for a film that was made over 60 years ago, without lots of action and special effects.