I tend to nitpick historical accuracy in movies which can drive others nuts. But sometimes I just can't stay quiet. The opening scene says the time frame is "1888" and in one of the final scenes where they bury a member of the village his head stone also reads "1888". But when the good guys gain control of the village along with the bad guys they tell them they'll be turning them over to the "Confederate States Army" who will be marching through in five days. According to the two dates provided by the film (1888) the Civil War had been over for 23 years!!!! That's stupid, lazy, and unacceptable.
20 Reviews
Great potential abysmal screenplay and acting
clintonj-797-57686223 November 2021
The screenplay lacks a coherent back story and instead suggests some bizarre inherent importance of a treasure secreted somewhere. It's unclear why everyone is where they are apart from historical reasons. A lot of focus is on the dwindling water supply which becomes an impalusible rationed commodity yet quite how it would be commercialised by the invaders is unclear. The location is convincing but the ruined nature of everything makes no sense. The cowboys are hackneyed clichés as is the matriarch. Dickinson plays a doe eyed hero and though no chemistry is present between him and Isabella walker, they manage to hold their own albeit a little over the top towards the end. 101 minutes of time could be spent on something far more worthwhile even if you wheeled out a dubbed spaghetti western from the 60s or 70s.
My grandfather dug that well
nogodnomasters19 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
In 1888, Alonzo travels to Dry River to reclaim his grandfather's old home. The border town has one well and is controlled by three bad guys. They are searching for a legendary gold statue, the treasure east of Sierra Madre. Alonzo is dragged into the search, and there is also a girl.
I found this to be a boring western which was mostly drama.
Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity.
I found this to be a boring western which was mostly drama.
Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity.
How bored are you...
joannejerome30 August 2022
WE certainly gave it a chance. More we watched; worse it got. Much worse.
Appears someone went to Spain somewhere, to make a western, found a bunch of rocks, a bell and a well, found some wannabe actors who probably acted in high school, and had them read mindless words. Then they patched all scenes together. An OMG Vote is much too generous. I actually felt VERY bad for the "actors".
So, when I said to my husband - you're STILL watching. He said, " I've gone this far, so have to see how this can end." Problem was - with ME - toward the film end, I thought they were all getting BETTER, or was I now brain dead!
Appears someone went to Spain somewhere, to make a western, found a bunch of rocks, a bell and a well, found some wannabe actors who probably acted in high school, and had them read mindless words. Then they patched all scenes together. An OMG Vote is much too generous. I actually felt VERY bad for the "actors".
So, when I said to my husband - you're STILL watching. He said, " I've gone this far, so have to see how this can end." Problem was - with ME - toward the film end, I thought they were all getting BETTER, or was I now brain dead!
Slow and boring
marcusgreenwood3 November 2022
Not much of a movie. Way too slow to develop, plot line that really made no sense. Some decent landscape and cinematography, but even that became stale as the movie proceeded. I usually can provide a higher rating for Western movies when there are impressive landscapes, but there are just too many flaws with this picture. As a Western fan, I had a hard time being able to watch this to the end. I was really hoping for logical reactions from the characters, but every step of the way, it just didn't make sense. The lead character was likable, but didn't live up to what I would want to see in a protagonist. Save your time and skip this one.
Just Terrible
cross-phillip-899-49701521 March 2022
Worst Western I've ever watched!!!
NobleGMan6931 May 2022
Stick around for the hot chick at the end!
gordonb-5958729 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Why would actors agree to take part in something this bad? The bad guys control everything in the town, they are all really stupid, the hottest chick in the West lives there (who looks about 15 years old) but they don't have any interest in her. For some unknown reason the hot chick shoots a shotgun blast through the front door and the bad guys are terrified of their old witch of a mother who is very religious but has no problem being just as nasty as her three blood thirsty sons. All this is brought to you in full color dust, sweat (lots of sweat) and blood.
And in the last few scenes the hot chick discards her dirty ratty old everyday 1888 clothes and walks around town in a new pair of perfectly cleaned and pressed designer pants which are really killer looking. So be sure to stick around for that.
And in the last few scenes the hot chick discards her dirty ratty old everyday 1888 clothes and walks around town in a new pair of perfectly cleaned and pressed designer pants which are really killer looking. So be sure to stick around for that.
Watchable Western, although somewhat generic...
paul_haakonsen26 October 2021
Well, for a Western movie then this 2021 movie titled "Gunfight at Dry River" was a somewhat bland experience. Sure, I hadn't even heard about the movie prior to sitting down to watch it, so I wasn't sure what I could, would or should expect from writer Fe Valen and director Daniel Simpson.
And Western movies is not my go-to-movies per se, but every now and again I sit down to watch one when and if I get the chance. But mostly, if I do so, then it is the movies that revolves around the Americal Civil War, which "Gunfight at Dry River" didn't do.
Visually then "Gunfight at Dry River" was okay, it definitely felt and looked like a Western movie, given the location of the filming, the costumes, the props and the setting in general. So that certainly worked in favor of the movie.
Now, it terms of storyline, then I found "Gunfight at Dry River" to be a bit too generic and having a storyline that was rather mundane and simplistic to the point where you didn't really need to pay much attention to the screen in order to keep up with events in the movie.
The acting performances in the movie were good. Nothing extraordinary or memorable here, though, but the actors and actresses did manage to portray their characters well enough. However, the character gallery felt a little bit too much like writer Fe Valen was delving deep into the stereotypical Western character clichés.
Ultimately then "Gunfight at Dry River" was watchable, although not a particularly outstanding Western.
My rating of "Gunfight at Dry River" lands on a five out of ten stars. There are far better Western movies out there, if Westerns is your cup of tea.
And Western movies is not my go-to-movies per se, but every now and again I sit down to watch one when and if I get the chance. But mostly, if I do so, then it is the movies that revolves around the Americal Civil War, which "Gunfight at Dry River" didn't do.
Visually then "Gunfight at Dry River" was okay, it definitely felt and looked like a Western movie, given the location of the filming, the costumes, the props and the setting in general. So that certainly worked in favor of the movie.
Now, it terms of storyline, then I found "Gunfight at Dry River" to be a bit too generic and having a storyline that was rather mundane and simplistic to the point where you didn't really need to pay much attention to the screen in order to keep up with events in the movie.
The acting performances in the movie were good. Nothing extraordinary or memorable here, though, but the actors and actresses did manage to portray their characters well enough. However, the character gallery felt a little bit too much like writer Fe Valen was delving deep into the stereotypical Western character clichés.
Ultimately then "Gunfight at Dry River" was watchable, although not a particularly outstanding Western.
My rating of "Gunfight at Dry River" lands on a five out of ten stars. There are far better Western movies out there, if Westerns is your cup of tea.
Great acting and scenery
jemsimpson26 September 2021
Charming small film that gives hope to indy UK filmmaking
harryalthompson7 May 2022
I don't usually write reviews but I enjoyed this film. In a sea of small budget indy westerns this film rose above for me. The acting and cinematography. Some scenes were especially well done and I cared for(and hated) these characters by the climax.
Horrible western and not even remotely historical
hconnellyphd-6902910 April 2022
Funny how if you don't like something then your some type of brutish American who only wants violence and action.
Can't a movie just be bad for no reason except it sucks and historically inaccurate.
This movie is ripe with historical inaccuracies, i'm only sharing one because it's what caused most people to leave the movie. The horses at the start is a dead giveaway about how historically inaccurate and lack of thought and care put into storytelling. The horse is too nice to be in the old west the horse its overall confirmation and health really distracts from the storytelling. On top of it it looks like somebody threw a bucket of water on the horse to make it look like it was sweating not real accurate. They put no thought to how it would luck if a horse was sweaty personally I think they only cared about getting a few well known actors which is still a disservice for the audience. Additionally the horse keeps doing dressage moves throughout which within the first five minutes caused all the horses people in my family to get up and walk out of the movie. I know you can't get everything historically accurate but within the first five minutes of movie is falling apart and not allowing you to suspend the reality and put you self in the time period. It's important that the Director and writer care enough about the story process not to distract but to draw the viewer in. For the lack of care of this movie is why I give it such a poor review you don't respect the audience why should I even bother to spend the time watching your movie.
Can't a movie just be bad for no reason except it sucks and historically inaccurate.
This movie is ripe with historical inaccuracies, i'm only sharing one because it's what caused most people to leave the movie. The horses at the start is a dead giveaway about how historically inaccurate and lack of thought and care put into storytelling. The horse is too nice to be in the old west the horse its overall confirmation and health really distracts from the storytelling. On top of it it looks like somebody threw a bucket of water on the horse to make it look like it was sweating not real accurate. They put no thought to how it would luck if a horse was sweaty personally I think they only cared about getting a few well known actors which is still a disservice for the audience. Additionally the horse keeps doing dressage moves throughout which within the first five minutes caused all the horses people in my family to get up and walk out of the movie. I know you can't get everything historically accurate but within the first five minutes of movie is falling apart and not allowing you to suspend the reality and put you self in the time period. It's important that the Director and writer care enough about the story process not to distract but to draw the viewer in. For the lack of care of this movie is why I give it such a poor review you don't respect the audience why should I even bother to spend the time watching your movie.
another one that could have been a hit
lambgary44414 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Bad casting, bad acting and bad writing! You have a movie here that could have been good it is by no means a new plot. It is a plot that has been done dozens of times. They tried to change it, but they failed they never gave you the back story of the people who lived in the village. The hero was weak and too small to play the tough guy. Also, we had no idea what his back story is he says he avenged himself, but we don't know if it was in the war or where it what happened. He would never have beaten and stabbed the guy he was fighting the guy had at least 6 inches on him and was well rested were the hero had been digging graves all day. Him overpowering him was not believable. The father and daughter we know nothing about. To recap keep the villagers give them a back story get and actor who is 6 feet tall or get bad guys who are 5 foot 7 inches tall. I am sorry to disappoint some of you, but the leading lady was NOT hot. Most of her close-up scenes she looked like she had a mustache. I started to wonder if she was really a man who now lives as a woman. The ending was awful showing golden statue sticking out of the ground. Again, the writer took too much liberty. If the statue had been sticking up that much it would have been found. Trying to make it look like the rain did it was lazy writing it had only been raining let's say and hour no let's say 3 hours that is still not long enough to erode the soil and make what look like 12 to 18 inches long sticking out ! This could have been a goof story if the writer actually new westerns and how villagers acted to strangers coming in to there town.
Dull Empanada western
stevendbeard12 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I saw "Gunfight at Dry River" starring Joshua Dickinson-An American Exorcism, The Mirror; Michael Moriarty-The 4400_tv, Pale Rider; Charlie Creed_Miles-Peaky Blinders_tv, The Fifth Element and introducing Isabella Walker-this is her first movie.
This is a low budget western-and I do mean low budget-that was filmed in Spain. I guess you could call it a dull Empanada Western-Italians have their Spaghetti Westerns-because it is dull. Not a lot of action. It takes place along the border of the US and Mexico during 1888. Joshua rides into Dry River, a desert town that has been hit by a long drought and some gold seekers-so far, they haven't had any luck finding any gold. Joshua wants to settle down in his family house-after his father passed away and left it to him-and meets Charlie and his lovely family, the ones looking for gold. They are also running rough shod over the town; rationing water, killing indiscriminately, and other dastardly deeds. Michael is one of the locals and his daughter is Isabella, both who befriend Joshua. FYI: I'm sure she is older than she looks but Isabella looks like she is 14 years old.
It didn't have a rating-it had a little violence-and it is 1 hour & 41 minutes long.
It's not one that I would buy on DVD or even rent. If you do have a hankering to see it, I would wait until it comes to cable tv.
This is a low budget western-and I do mean low budget-that was filmed in Spain. I guess you could call it a dull Empanada Western-Italians have their Spaghetti Westerns-because it is dull. Not a lot of action. It takes place along the border of the US and Mexico during 1888. Joshua rides into Dry River, a desert town that has been hit by a long drought and some gold seekers-so far, they haven't had any luck finding any gold. Joshua wants to settle down in his family house-after his father passed away and left it to him-and meets Charlie and his lovely family, the ones looking for gold. They are also running rough shod over the town; rationing water, killing indiscriminately, and other dastardly deeds. Michael is one of the locals and his daughter is Isabella, both who befriend Joshua. FYI: I'm sure she is older than she looks but Isabella looks like she is 14 years old.
It didn't have a rating-it had a little violence-and it is 1 hour & 41 minutes long.
It's not one that I would buy on DVD or even rent. If you do have a hankering to see it, I would wait until it comes to cable tv.
Extremely original
queibcn28 April 2022
Avid Western Fan
bob-141-90665019 March 2022
If we call Italian westerns "Spaghetti" then we must call the Spanish westerns "Tapas" westerns or "Tortilla" westerns. Like the title of my review, I do love a good western movie but alas, this one left much to be desired.
A thought re-look at the traditional westerns
s-cookson14 September 2021
Many americans will hate this because it tells the story from the Mexican POV.
It's deliberately slow-paced and thoughtful, so if you're looking for a mindless shoot'em up its probably not for you.
But it's beautifully shot and well acted. Isabella Walker is mesmerising. The scenery is stunning
If you're looking for something a little different this might be for you.
If you're a non-discriminate cinema goer, who's only there for the violence and cheap thrills, then stick to YouTube shorts.
It's deliberately slow-paced and thoughtful, so if you're looking for a mindless shoot'em up its probably not for you.
But it's beautifully shot and well acted. Isabella Walker is mesmerising. The scenery is stunning
If you're looking for something a little different this might be for you.
If you're a non-discriminate cinema goer, who's only there for the violence and cheap thrills, then stick to YouTube shorts.
I'm a woman
rosagomezbaselga2 May 2022
Low budget but enjoyable Western drama
andeemartin-8168516 November 2023
Weird this hasn't got great reviews. Maybe it's not been watched by Western fans, I am a fan and this didn't dissapoint. I've noticed it has two titles one with 'Gunfight at' in it. Maybe people watched that and expected more action. There was some action, some quite brutal but in small doses. Its a drama with some interesting characters played by a likable cast. A couple very strong female characters too. Yes, it's low budget but that's nobodies fault. A few parts are slow but there are sone tense moments and it's well worth you're time if fans of the western genre. Actually a lot of younger film lovers may not have seen many or any of these kind of movies,I'd say give it a go it could be a good starting point.
It has the look of a classic spaghetti Western too and the soundtrack certainly helps the fell. A tight script, quiet dialogue driven. 🤠 👢 🐎
It has the look of a classic spaghetti Western too and the soundtrack certainly helps the fell. A tight script, quiet dialogue driven. 🤠 👢 🐎
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