Released in 1959, Gunfight falls squarely into the "modern" Western genre, rather than the '50 studio-system mellow-drama westerns. Joel McRae's plays his character with complex motivations, emotions, and loyalties. Unlike his earlier work, here McRae is not the 100% hero in white hat. Instead he plays a man struggling to decide what is right and fair. Both in his personal life, in which he wrestles over which of several love interests best suits him; and in job, taking over his murdered brother's sheriff job. As Bat, McRae has a dark side, which he must confront to become the man he wants to be.
The only dissatisfying element to the plot comes in the climactic final scene. The outcome feels contrived and rushed. Almost as though the producer told the director, "Okay, that's enough. Let's wrap this up."
Ultimately, though, Gunfight takes its place as one of Joel McRae's finest, and most entertaining films.
The only dissatisfying element to the plot comes in the climactic final scene. The outcome feels contrived and rushed. Almost as though the producer told the director, "Okay, that's enough. Let's wrap this up."
Ultimately, though, Gunfight takes its place as one of Joel McRae's finest, and most entertaining films.