The Gatling Gun

"The Gatling Gun" was originally titled "King Gun" and shot in 1969, but not released till 1971. It's a cavalry vs. Indians Western focusing on the eponymous weapon with a great cast of familiars -- Guy Stockwell, Robert Fuller, Phil Harris, Woody Strode, Patrick Wayne, John Carradine, Pat Buttram and BarBara Luna (from Star Trek's "Mirror, Mirror") -- highlighted by curvy redhead Judy Jordan, to say the least.

Critics write it off as "routine" and akin to a TV Western. True, it is Grade 'B' and comic-booky, so proceed with caution. BUT the notable cast clicks and the story delivers the goods, as far as Western (melo)drama & action goes. It's essentially a survival tale of a small group of soldiers and civilians who team-up to survive a desert trek threatened by Two-Knife (Carlos Rivas) and his rogue tribe.

If you're a sucker for desert-survival tales (like me), such as "Sands of the Kalahari" (1965), "Flight of the Phoenix" (1965), "Escape from Zahrain" (1962) and "They Came to Cordura" (1959), you'll probably appreciate "The Gatling Gun," as long as you can forgive the TV budget (although it's not technically a TV movie and was dubiously released to theaters). It's not as good as the first three, but it's more entertaining than the last one. While "Cordura" is a more serious production with overall superior production values, it's also more hokey in a 50's Western sense.

The trek through the desert features a lot of drama but the movie ends with a bang as the group squares-off against Two-Knife and his braves. Stockwell stands out as the alpha male Army Lieutenant who naturally attracts the babe (Jordan), whereas Fuller is effective as Private Sneed, done-in by his own lust for lucre.

The film runs 1 hour, 27 minutes, and was shot at Eaves Movie Ranch and Ghost Ranch near Sante Fe, New Mexico.

GRADE: B-

I admit, the only reason I picked this one, was to see Dr. Brackett (Robert Fuller) in a different uniform. I'll forego echoing what the other's here have posted, as I agree with all of them; it's just a so-so, typical below-grade Western.

I will comment on the cinematography, or lack thereof. This almost looks like it was shot in 16mm and not 35mm film. Whatever film stock they were using, didn't hold up over the decades. It's very washed out - the whites are too white and the dark too dark. The reds are very bright, which I believe, is a degradation of the film stock. So many films from the latter part of the 20th century suffer from this. Thanks Kodak!

Also, the clarity is lacking, it's borderline fuzzy, at least the copy being shown on my free-Western channel. Compare this film to One-Eyed Jack from 1960, and it's like night and day.

This really has a made-for-tv feel to it. Lots of dialogue and not a lot of panorama shots.

One positive - there's a redheaded chick in the flick and her hair looks great : )

2nd positive - Mr. Haney from Green Acres is in it !

i don't watch many westerns,the few I've seen i actually enjoy.this was one of them.a Gatling gun is being sought by the apache,and the us calvary led by guy stock well must overcome all odds to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands.talk about a stellar cast.when i found John Carridine was in this,i just had to watch. Carridine was one of the greatest actors that ever lived,he plays a preacher,also in the cast is Pat Butram(Mr Haney of green acres)woody strode,Barbara Luna and Patrick Wayne(son of John Wayne)its a wild wild western,a good cast and good story.8 out of 10.all in all a very well made western made by universal in 1973.

Low-budget, by-the-numbers western, routine in every department: writing, direction, acting, you name it. The plot is nothing special: a ragtag detachment of soldiers must protect a new Gatling gun from falling into the hands of rampaging Indians. A somewhat decent cast gives this picture a bit more than just a passing interest, but not much more. Phil Harris looks out of place, John Carradine was at a point in his career where he took just about anything and everything that was offered to him--which explains why he's in this--Guy Stockwell looks tired, and the only even remotely energetic performance is given by veteran western actor and John Ford favorite Woody Strode. Listlessly directed and sloppily written, this cheap-looking film has a burst of action near the end that breaks the monotony, but not enough to make it worth sitting through. Skip it.

I'm a die-hard Robert Fuller fan so having this DVD in my collection is great for me. Also the movie stars Pat Buttram and John Carradine, both of whom I have enjoyed their works for many years. If you really love all westerns and are into B movies then this is a movie for you. I think that the Indians got a raw deal in the movie all around. If I were the director I would have beefed the story up more. I also would have cast Fuller in the lead. And yes, I admit it I'm partial. I think that John Carradine played the part of the minister really well and of course Pat Buttram is always true to himself and always entertaining. The women in the movie alone would strike up a good debate about how women really were during that time period and how they are portrayed on the silver screen.