This is a good Movie. Filmed in black and white and well directed by Henry King, The Gunfighter gives more than a glimpse of the difficulties ageing gunslingers face when they try to return to mainstream society. As always Gregory peck gives a stirring performance as the frustrated Jimmy Ringo warding off up and coming young men with ideas of making a name for themselves, and in the process attempting to reunite with his family. The much under-rated Millard Mitchell, playing Sherrif Mark Stent, gives Peck some fine support as his former partner and now the local town custodian and, as the movie progresses we get to enjoy Millard's character, a likable guy trying to do his best for his friend and his family. So much so, we are suprised at the end of the film when we see a dark side of his make up emerge when he smashes his boot into the face of Hunt Bromley, played by the resident bad guy of the era, Skip Homeier. The only small criticism of the Movie is, there could have been a little more action revolving around Peck's character, rather then seeing him spend most of his time in the bar and back room of the Town Hotel while waiting to see his wife and son. We do see bits of what we are supposed to see from a man of his reputation, but I would have liked to see just how good Jimmy Ringo really was. Made in the fifties, in a time it seems when all good Westerns were made, I found The Gunfighter to be an enjoyable, thoughtful Movie, not quite in the Classic mould such as The Searchers and Shane, but one I look forward to seeing again.
Review of The Gunfighter
