A Gunfight (1971)
Directed by Lamont Johnson
Genres - Western |
Sub-Genres - Psychological Western |
Release Date - Aug 25, 1971 (USA - Unknown), Aug 25, 1971 (USA) |
Run Time - 89 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - PG
Share on
Synopsis by Hal Erickson
A Gunfight was the first mainstream American film to be produced by an Indian tribe -- specifically, the Jicarilla Apaches of New Mexico. Kirk Douglas and Johnny Cash star as Will and Abe, two long-in-tooth gunfighters with nary a dime between them. Although Will and Abe are fast friends, they agree to a winner-take-all showdown, selling tickets to the momentous event. The townspeople are certain that Will is going to win the shootout, but he knows that it would be a fatal mistake to underestimate Abe. Standing on the sidelines is Will's wife Nora (Jane Alexander), who seems curiously disinterested in the outcome, even though she may become a widow before the day is over. Despite the financial input of the Jicarilla tribe, A Gunfight has nothing to do with Indians; perhaps the tribe just wanted to put together a good, old-fashioned western, sans any social commentary.
Characteristics
Keywords
cowboy, get-rich-quick-scheme, gunfighter, rival, shoot-out, wager, widow/widower