The Gunfighter was a different kind of western than had been seen before. Leading man Gregory Peck had already established himself as a star in both action and romantic films. But The Gunfighter had only a few action scenes, and what little romance that existed was strained.
The film is both a character study and a morality play. Peck's character is well explored, and we feel sympathy for him. He yearns to have a 'normal' life and family. But he is unable to escape from his reputation, which is built from a trail of men that he has killed.
Jimmy Ringo (Gregory Peck) is a Western gunslinger, circa 1880. Ringo now regrets his criminal past, and is tired of traveling from town to town. He is regularly challenged by cocky young gunmen, including Eddie (Richard Jaeckel). Forced to shoot him, Ringo is now tailed by Eddie's three brothers.
Ringo rides to yet another dusty Western town. But this one is special, as his abandoned wife Peggy (Helen Westcott) and young son Jimmie (B.G. Norman) live there. Ringo holes up in the saloon, where gregarious Mac (Karl Malden) tends bar. Ringo learns that the Sheriff is Mark Strett (Millard Mitchell), a former outlaw and friend.
Ringo tries to see Peggy, using Street and showgirl Molly (Jean Parker) as intermediaries. Meanwhile, Eddie's brothers arrive in town. A local loudmouth and aspiring gunman (Skip Homeier) also wants to kill Ringo, to establish his reputation.
Peck's character sports a heavy mustache, as was the fashion in the old west. The film was not a box office smash, despite critical acclaim and the presence of Gregory Peck. Peck had been nominated for Best Actor four of the previous five years. Studio moguls blamed the mustache, which they had opposed all along.
The gunfighter is Peck, rather than Peck as the gunfighter. Mustache aside, this is the Peck we are familiar with from other films. He is still the genteel, honorable, well-spoken man from Gentleman's Agreement.
Peck can express humanity and generate sympathy, but it's difficult to see him as a former bank robber and outlaw. Perhaps the script could have given him a mean streak to make his role more convincing. James Stewart had managed to show a sometimes violent temper in his westerns from the early 1950s.
The Gunfighter was the second of six films that Peck would make with director Henry King. The first was Twelve O'Clock High (1949), which was also the most successful.
The Gunfighter received one Academy Award nomination, for Best Motion Picture Story (William Bowers, Andre DeToth). (78/100)
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