The Last Challenge (1967)

I never thought I would literally almost fall asleep watching this western.In no order of merit.There was absolutely no chemistry between Glenn Ford and Angie Dickinson.Angie Dickinson spoke her lines as though reading them off a billboard.Why Glenn Ford took this movie on I for one, will never know because Glenn Ford is up there with the greats.I found this film totally boring from start to finish.One of the reviews for this film stated, "At last an adult western".This in my view was because of the script, it was full of truths about life as a cowboy who is claimed to be fast on the draw, and there will always be a young punk who claims to be faster. That's it in a nut shell.

Sorry, but I just don't see it the same. For me, this is just one more in a string of not only bad westerns, but bad films made in the '60's. I notice the same thing with war movies made during the decade: The plots are shot full of holes and discontinuities and if not poorly produced and directed, then poorly edited. There seems to be a resurgence in quality starting about '68 with movies such as Bullitt, Bonnie & Clyde and The Wild Bunch, my #1 all-time western.I don't know why, but Hollywood movies in general from late '50's to late '60's, while possibly strong on visuals (scenery, location) are shallow and weak technically and plot-wise. Kind of like American cars at the time: Whatever's put out there will be purchased.

Richard Thorpe's "The Last Challenge" aka. "The Pistolero of Red River" of 1967 is an entertaining standard American Western with a good cast. Even though in no way outstanding, this is a solid film that is well worth watching for genre-fans. Dan Blaine (Glen Ford), the Marshal of a small town in the West, has the reputation of being the fastest and most precise shot around. Since he has been sheriff, the formerly dangerous area has become calm. Blaine, whose beautiful and rich girlfriend (Angie Dickinson) owns a local saloon, is therefore highly respected in his community. One day, however, a young gunslinger named Lot McGuire (Chad Everett) comes to town, with the intention to challenge Blaine in a duel. While he wishes to duel with the sheriff, McGuire is an otherwise friendly and likable guy. Blaine therefore wants to dissuade the young man from his wish...Glen Ford is very good in the lead, and Chad Everett also delivers a solid performance as the young gunslinger. Beautiful Angie Dickinson is, as always, great in the female lead. The supporting cast includes the great genre actor Jack Elam, who also fits in his role very well. The film is overall entertaining and definitely worth the time. When it comes to Westerns from the late 60s, however, the Italian Westerns are usually incomparably better than those from the United States. While everybody is a bastard in Italian Westerns of the time, all characters are kinda good in this film, which makes it less interesting to me. "The Last Challenge" sure is a solid and entertaining little western, but it also confirmed what I already knew - American Westerns from the late sixties can not compete with their Italian counterparts, as the Spaghetti Westerns beat them in all respects. Nevertheless, a decent film. 6/10

Chad Everett is the young gunslinger who wants to prove himself faster than Marshal Glenn Ford, the fastest gun around. Marshal tries to convince gunslinger not to waste his life and be useful instead of dying at his hands while Angie Dickinson attempts to prevent the shoot-out.It is slow, is probably attempting to be evocative, but is basically just boring.