Last Train From Gun Hill Details

Classic Western

This is an excellent Western, directed by John Sturges, who also made 'The Magnificent 7','The Great Escape', 'Bad Day at Black Rock' and 'Gunfight At the OK Corral'.

'Last Train From Gun Hill' was beautifully photographed in Paramount's flexible Vistavision system, which presents the picture in a rectangular frame, ideal for TV, instead of the more widely used 'letterbox' CinemaScope used by most Westerns from the Mid-50s onwards.

The story is taut and compelling, with angry sheriff Kirk Douglas determined to take in the man who raped and murdered his wife, who happens to be the son of his old friend Anthony Quinn. Holed up with his captive in the hotel, Douglas has to wait for the train while all around the town Quinn's men are gathering to prevent them from leaving.

The story is simply and clearly told, with the emphasis on the suspenseful situation, rather than a lot of action.The cast are all very good, especially the two leads, with Kirk Douglas giving a typically intense performance ---look at his face when he realises who he has caught in the hotel corridor.

Highly recommended to Western fans, esecially if you like the 50s 'psychological' or 'adult' ones