El gran duelo

I think one should watch A Gunfight after seeing Gregory Peck's classic film The Gunfighter. It gives you definitely an alternative vision.

Imagine Peck's character of Jim Ringo not being killed by back-shooting Skip Homeier, but actually settling down with his wife and son. That's essentially what you've got in Kirk Douglas's character of Will Tenneray who finds retired life not what it's cracked up to be.

The days of the wild west are over and Douglas now makes a living appearing at the local saloon and encouraging folks to spend there. He's like some prominent sports figure who is a greeter out in Las Vegas and if you're a big enough spender you might get to play golf or party with him. But it's one dull life even with wife Jane Alexander and young son Eric Douglas.

Along comes Johnny Cash playing another gunfighter relic whose horse gets bit by a rattler. Now he's stuck in this New Mexico border town and with two legends of the west in this place, the gossip commences.

Cash is similarly bored by his existence and the two of them, both cash poor decide on a duel to the death with admission charged at a bullfight arena across the border in Mexico. Literally winner take all. These guys must have felt like gladiators.

A Gunfight is certainly an interesting spin on some of the western nostrums that prevailed in Hollywood. Douglas and Cash are perfectly cast in the leads and get good support from the rest of the players. For myself I enjoyed Robert J. Wilke who for once is on the right side of the law playing the town marshal. Keith Carradine has a good role as a young punk who wants to take on the winner and Karen Black is fine as a saloon girl who Cash spends some time with.

I also never expected to find Raf Vallone in a western. But the Italian actor plays a Mexican store keeper who had been keeping discreet company with Alexander while Douglas was roaming the west. Certainly different from faithful Helen Westcott who raised her son and taught school while Gregory Peck was raising hell.

Who wins, you have to see for yourself. But in the end did it really matter as the film brings you an interesting conclusion.

After mining for gold for over six months in Mexico, a gunslinger by the name of "Abe Cross" (Johnny Cash) decides to ride across the border and redeem what few nuggets he has found for American dollars. Although he hadn't planned on staying very long, when his horse is bitten by a rattlesnake right outside of town, he decides to stay until it can be treated and healed. Being a small town, it isn't long until the news is spread that a famous gunslinger has just arrived. What creates an even larger sensation is that another famous gunslinger by the name of "Will Tenneray" (Kirk Douglas) has recently taken up residence in this same town and--before you know it--the townsfolk are making bets on who will prevail against the other in a gunfight. At first, neither one has any interest in a shootout, however, when they come to realize how much money the winner could collect, they both begin to have second thoughts--and that's when things become even more intense between them and everyone else in town. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this turned out to be a surprisingly good Western which showcases the conflicting interests and desires between not only the two gunfighters but also everyone in this small town as well. I especially liked the ending which presented a potential alternative version had the outcome been different. Be that as it may, I enjoyed this film and I have rated it accordingly.

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.

The movie does well, but not for his direction, script, photography or even wardrobe, which are acceptable. The line that separates this movie from the classic battered western movie is its peculiar choice of actors.

Starring Johnny Cash and Kirk Duglas, the plot is based on the expectation of the town folk for knowing who of the two is the best gunman, when Abe Cross arrives at the town where Will Tenneray is trying to set a quiet life for himself.

All in all, it's one of those acceptable movies, except in this case there are two iconic American characters.

Saw this,many,many years ago at the movies and it stayed on my mind. Having gone back to watch it again, more than once in the last couple of years,it seems even better than I remember. I have to confess to being a lifelong fan of Johnny Cash,although never convinced as to his acting skills.Still,he does convince here as Abe Cross and the whole story comes across well. True,not that much action but some Westerns don't need it. I do doubt,however,the information on IMDb that it was filmed in Spain. The Bullring is NOT the Madrid Bullring,as listed,I know that for a fact.Does anyone out there know where it was filmed? Best performance by JC on the screen?I think so. Kirk Douglas is great too and the questions raised about growing old,loneliness,love,money and how an "Outsider" faces up to it all,are explored well. A strange western but a minor masterpiece,a B movie(I love 'em!)in some ways but one that stays with you. A must see for all JC fans,of course. T