Taraparain
Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.
Invaderbank
The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.
Humaira Grant
It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
classicsoncall
In 1950, there was "The Gunfighter" with Gregory Peck, one of my all time favorite Westerns. In 1999, there was a Christopher Coppola directed flick simply called "Gunfighter", which was every bit as bad as the 1950 film was good. In between, you had "The Gunfighters", looking very much like a made for TV Western, right down to the obviously edited commercial break fades. With a relatively unknown cast, except for George Kennedy in a major heel role, this film is passable with a few creative touches. Like the barroom bull-whip contest between Dutch Everett (Reinor Schone) and Deke Turner's nameless henchman (Steve Atkinson). And I can't say for sure if it was a goof or not, but when Cole (Art Hindle) shot at the the portrait behind Deke Turner, he knocked both eyes out with a single bullet. Now that's some fancy shootin'! Otherwise this is a pretty standard Western from start to finish, more on the B side than a good theatrical effort. Most of the time the Everret's (brothers Matt and Cole and cousin Dutch) are on the run from the law, thanks to Matt's (Tony Addabbo) quick reflexes and sure-fire aim. Killing someone is always good for a price on your head, especially if the town boss is calling the shots. The Everett's become reluctant outlaws to get some measure of revenge against the Turner bunch, teaming up with a trigger happy Sam Martin (Frances Damberger) and his gang. That was bound to cause trouble.Throw in a few reward posters, some Pinkerton agents, and a pregnant woman on the way to meet up with her husband, and you have the remaining ingredients for a ninety minute oater. Even though the good guys turn bad for a while, they're redeemed in the end by a Wyoming governor who offers them a job as lawmen. Yes, you read that right, and you'll just have to watch it to find out how that came about.You know what puzzles me - how did the newspaper pop up at the line shack with Billy the Kid's death on the front page?
froberts73
Jeez these nitpickers. They don't go for the entertainment, they go to - well - pick nits. The scenery ain't right, the haircuts ain't right, the jeans ain't right, etc. The capper was the yokel who called the fine theme inappropriate for the time. Hey, Jasper, next time you watch "High Noon" turn down the volume when you hear that theme.I gave "The Gunfighters" a big, ole western ten - enjoyed it from beginning to end. The story was intelligent and easy to follow, the characters were very well developed. The fight scenes were among the most convincing, the way they handled the guns were fantastic, the bullwhip fight was outstanding (shades of Lash La Rue but with more conviction).The women were lovely and convincing, the story had a sort-of moral to it. The trio of leads, who kept their hair neat through the melees, were as honest as any of the major actors who made westerns. I was particularly impressed by the German-raised lead whose presence was so commanding.Side note: Art Hindle's uncle is Michael Caine, and the name of the governor in the movie was Michael Kane.George Kennedy was never more obnoxious (and I mean that as a compliment)."The Gunfighters" has quickly become one of my favorite westerns, even though Alberta did not resemble Kansas. Heavens to Betsy!
John (opsbooks)
Like most Westerns I've viewed lately, this came in a cheap 10-movies for ten bucks DVD pack. I figured when the credits rolled that as it had George Kennedy in it, it had to be good viewing. And such was the case; a simple good verses bad story, an interesting script and intelligently underplayed performances by a likable cast.As someone else pointed out, the locations didn't seem appropriate but it didn't seem to matter. The story maintained my - and my viewing companion's - interest from start to finish. The actual print wasn't the best being rather washed out, unless that was the intended effect!So all in all, a Western in the vintage style, more akin to what you'd see in a movie house in the late 1930s, if a bit more realistic. And for the dollar cost, a bargain.
sherrymathis
One of the best westerns I have seen in a long time. Makes you wonder who was worse the outlaws or the law. The story was very convincing and makes you want to know more about the western families. The Everetts were able to understand what would happen when they took the law into their own hands. It tells how the rich were able to get the law to work for them. The common rancher has no chance against another rich rancher. The common rancher was not believed even when he had facts to back him up The rich rancher could pay the law to do what he wanted done. The Everetts did not want to kill and only wanted to be treated right and not cheated out of their land. The youngest was accused of murder only when he was defending himself and was framed by the law.
