A Gunfight (1971)

Will Tenneray and Abe Cross, two aging gunmen decide to fight each other in a bullfight arena. The winner gets the cash, the loser dies. Lamont Johnson's western A Gunfight from 1971 takes death pretty lightly. Of course western movies usually do, but I have a particular problem with this one. Both of these men, Will and Abe are pretty likable guys, and they're both friendly to each other. And Will has a family to protect. So why risk everything with a pointless gunfight, where you know you might lose your life? Money isn't everything you know. And I didn't like the bullfight scenes in this movie. Animals are not meant to die for the entertainment of people. But sure there are some good things in this movie, too. Let's start with the actors. The legendary, now 101 years old Kirk Douglas plays Will. He never fails. And then you have Johnny Cash (1932-2003) as Abe. The man could really act. You also hear his singing in this movie. Jane Alexander is superb as Will's wife Nora. Kirk's late son Eric Douglas is here in his movie debut as the son Bud. Karen Black, who we lost about five years ago, gives an outstanding performance as Jenny Sims. Keith Carradine plays Young Gunfighter. The late great Dana Elcar, who I remember as MacGyver's Peter Thornton, plays Marv. The western view is great as always. When you see the camera move with Johnny Cash in that western town, it's really something. And I liked the what if- part in the end. Abe wins the real battle, but in a slow motion moment with Abe and Nora looking at each other you see a glimpse of how things would have turned out, if Will had won. Not the best western, but also not the worst.

TITLE: GUNFIGHT OPENED IN THEATERS IN THE United States on August 25 1971 and it took 90 minutes to watch it. Gunfight starred Kirk Douglas as Wil, Johnny Cash as Abe, and Karen Black as Jenny.SUMMARY: A Gunfight was the first mainstream American film to be produced by an Indian tribe -- specifically, the Jicarilla Apaches of New Mexico. Kirk Douglas and Johnny Cash star as Will and Abe, two long-in... read more -tooth gunfighters with nary a dime between them. Although Will and Abe are fast friends, they agree to a winner-take-all showdown, selling tickets to the momentous event. The townspeople are certain that Will is going to win the shootout, but he knows that it would be a fatal mistake to underestimate Abe. Standing on the sidelines is Will's wife Nora (Jane Alexander), who seems curiously disinterested in the outcome, even though she may become a widow before the day is over. The movie opens with Abe riding through the countryside singing when a rattlesnake bites his horse. Abe cuts the horses leg and sucks the poison of out of the horse. After fixing the horse Abe goes to the nearest town to get him fix. When Abe enters the town, some of the people recognize him as Abe Cross the gunfighter. Also leaving in the town is ex gunfighter Wil Tenneray with his wife and son. Wil works at the local saloon to support his family. While walking around town people start to wonder will Wil and Abe fight each other.QUESTIONS: How did Wil get his reputation? How did Abe get his reputation? Who was Jenny? What part did Jenny play in this movie? Did the gunfight take place? If so where? MY THOUGHTS: This was another movie that had a great build up and only to have fall on its face. This movie had no build up and it was boring right from the start. Sure Kirk Douglas was good in his role as Wil. Johnny Cash was just as good in his role as Abe. Karen Black talents and pretty body was wasted in this movie. She played the role as a bar house cleaner and her talents were missed used in this movie. I would give this movie 0 weasel stars but that not allowed so I have to give it 1 weasel star even if it doesn't deserve it.

When an outcast gunfighter (a recently deceased Johnny Cash) with battered hat and black dressed goes to a Western small town called Rio Bajo , he meets an old time gunslinger named Tenneray (Kirk Douglas) stranded in the location along with his wife (Jane Alexander) and son (Eric Douglas) . Today he's a big guy with an enjoyable family . Meanwhile the drifter named Will falls in love with a Saloon girl (Karen Black) , the girl who could give the big guy a hard time . The two gunmen get a friendship ; Tenneray says him that he earns in a month it that he spent in one day and which killed the famous gunfighter Ringo . The 'Rio Bajo' folks expect a gun-down and they'd never forget the day the confrontation between Cross and Will . Before they paid to see a man murder a bull , nowadays they pay to see killing men . Needing money , both arrange a showdown for paid entrance and the winner take all . They're got to face a gunfight once more to live up to their legend once more to win just once more time and more money . The excitement starts at the duel when the hands point straight up . They've nothing like'em together in a duel but in the heat and hate of the small town nothing can tear'em apart . Thus, a bull square will become the scenario of the most spectacular duel ever attempted . Who will survive and what will be left of them? .The picture concerns upon a gun-battle pits two individualist characters . It's a serious , mature Hollywood Western with particular character studio about an aging gunslinger looking for peace and quiet , but also money and unable to avoid his reputation and the duel-challenges it invites against the baby-faced gun-fisted kid (Keith Carradine). So many good actors , such excellent actors as Raf Vallone , Robert J. Wilke , Keith Carradine , Dana Elcar among them , consent to appear in what amount small roles , besides make their film debut Johnny Cash and Eric Douglas (Kirk's true son and recently deceased for drug abuse). The lion's share of the acting meat deservedly goes to Johnny Cash in spite of his first film . There is , in addition , Johnny Cash's catchy theme and equally an impressive roaring climax with an amazing final showdown . It's a better than average Western although a little slow moving . The motion picture was well directed by Lamont Johnson (Little Annie and Little Britches and Mackenzie break) . If you're a Western fan you can't go far wrong with this .

The quiet loner who emanates raw danger by mere presence has never been portrayed as well until JC takes the role of Abe Cross. Cashs performance alone merits a 'must see' rating for this movie. Kirk Douglas is a natural pick for the role of a flashy, boastful, gunslinger who feels trapped by his retirement as saloon owner and family man in a small town. Will Tenneray(Douglas) yearns for the glory of his past as a feared and known name amongst gunfighters of the West. Abe Cross, his deeds and past are shrouded by a persona that shuns gossip and towns while Will Tennerays' exploits are well known and self-promoted. When Cross rides into town and has a drink in Tennerays' saloon, the tension is immediate and keeps climbing as every townsman whisper their expectations each time the two meet. The inevitable confrontation is a twist on the usual 'meet you at noon duel' that sets this Western apart.