Gunpoint

Night Passage staring Jimmy Stewart and Audie Murphy, filmed in 1957 is a far better film, acting and story line wise, than the 1966 film Gunpoint.

Gunpoint staring Audie Murphy also took film scenes from Night Passage. Although I had never seeing the film Gunpoint before, I felt like I was seeing something that I had. Right from the beginning where the train is being robbed, its identical footage, other than the gang of train robbers.

Which made it appear to be a low budget film with poor acting it became boring😴 to watch. Although neither of the films I consider the best works of either actor, far from it. Gunpoint seemed to have been screened written by a junior high student as Night Passage a much more professionalism written film perhaps a senior in college writing level.

As I said before I'm a great appreciator of Audie Murphy's B-Movie, even this one was one of the latest of his long career, is self-evident that Murphy already older and the film's quality is no longer were in the same level with the previous one, however this an interesting movie as well, He Plays a Sheriff Chad Lucas in charge to deliver a large amount of money carry by train to the Bank, he and his Deputy Cap (Denver Pyle) has been escorted by horses, meanwhile the Drago's gang already obstructed the railroad falling down the water reservoir, he gets up on a train's roof but he was hit by a bullet and felt down almost dying, then he settles a posse to chase Drago's gang who escape taking a his former fiancée Uvalde (Joan Staley) bringing together the newest Uvalde's lover Nate Harlan (Warren Stevens), in the way they fight with Indians until meeting a three horse's hunter leading by the fabulous Edgar Buchanan, what a character, this is the best part of the movie nearby a beauty waterfall's spot, also a little reference to Greek Nicos (Nick Demos) actually a colorful character who improve the movie widely , fine entertainment!!

Resume:

First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7

My last Audie Murphy western. Yes readers, I've now seen every one that he made as well as a few non-oaters. Needless to say I have a real fondness for the actor, much as I have for Rory Calhoun and Randolph Scott. They were the heroes of my childhood back when they were on top and Gunpoint doesn't entirely disappoint although when it starts it looks like a budget TV western episode. When we get past the inside scenes and into wide open country it improves considerably. There follows a chase by Murphy and a ramshackle posse of villain Morgan Woodward who has stolen a saddlebag of cash from the town and Murphy is determined to catch him come hell or high water or in this case, high mountains. The chase scenes up the mountain are surprisingly well filmed and authentic. Adding to the fun are an able cast, Warren Stevens as a flashy saloon owner, The beautiful Joan Staley as his girlfriend and to add complications, previous love of old Audie, aging bumbling gang leader they come across, Edgar Buchanan and half wit Royal Dano so some familiar faces. Not a great Murphy western but OK and worth watching.

The old sheriff has been killed during Morgan Woodward's raid and carrying off of lots of money in gold. His deputy, Audie Murphy is appointed sheriff. He takes off with a posse.... and everyone has an axe to grind.

It's Murphy's last western in his long deal with Universal, and the problem is that the 'shaky A' western he starred in had run its course. There was a new western in town, the Spaghetti Western, where there are no good guys; if you rooted for Clint Eastwood, it's because he got done dirt at the beginning of the movie, and Eli Wallach and Lee van Cleef are worse. Murphy's west was corrupt and violent, but Murphy himself was mostly clean, and he would restore order by the end of the movie, and get the girl, here ex-Playboy centerfold Joan Staley. So he goes and gets the job done, despite Warren Stevens and Edgar Buchanan and Denver Pyle, and hooray! But people didn't want that any more.

There's a certain tiredness to the movie, despite some nice camerawork by William Margulies.

Audie Murphy's western films of the 1950's were entertaining, action-filled and capitalized on his likable, resolute personality. The budgets for those '50's films were higher than his subsequent films in the 1960's. This average film has that weakness, but is still entertaining when viewed in that context.

This film's mediocre budget and production values disappoint, while still showcasing those aspects of Audie Murphy's talent that always appealed to his many fans. I especially liked the casting in this one, with western favorites Royal Dano and the crusty old Edgar Buchanan.

For fans of Murphy, this one is a must see...... for others, watch it in context and you will be surprised. Worth a closer look .........