Les 7 chemins du couchant

A little western ,definitely off the beaten track ; a ranger/outlaw relationship you do not see every day;when one first meets the renegade ,he's taking with a brat,near the water ;theIr conversation deals with the sturgeons,that provide the European crowned heads with caviar .Later ,the prisoner and his escort does not really act as you expect ; "Seven Ways of Sundown " (youthful Murphy)has probably never got over his big brother 's loss and is looking for a replacement ;his prisoner is a bon vivant , who tries to strike up a friendship with the ranger :together,they would almost rule the world ,should one believe him .

Although we guess very soon who's responsible for the death of the brother, the ranger/prisoner relationship is not derivative ,it's really endearing.

One source I regard as essential when it comes to Westerns is a book by Phil Hardy called " The Western " and forming volume 1 of the Aurem Encycopedia of the cinema .It lists genre movies by year with potted critical reviews .Except that it does not give this robust and unusual little movie its own review relegating it instead to an appendix where it is mentioned but not singled out for comment

Bad error from a normally reliable writer because this is a most enjoyable movie .Murphy plays a neophyte Texas Ranger with the somewhat cumbersome name of Seven Ways From Sundown Jones .He is sent in company with a grizzled veteran to track down Jim Flood a charismatic and freethinking outlaw .Jones captures Flood but not until his partner is killed and he begins the task of returning Flood to captivity .Flood turns out to be a likable man and a friendship develops between the two men whose journey is interrupted by bounty hunters and Indians before reaching its climax at Rangers headquarters

Sullivan is outstanding as Flood and Murphy is more than competent as the Ranger and there is a strong supporting cast

Check this out .Its well made ,well acted and well written .It should not be forgotten or overshadowed by other bigger movies

Audie Murphy is a rookie Texas Ranger assigned by Ranger Lieutenant Ken Tobey to accompany John McIntire to track down and apprehend noted badman Barry Sullivan. McIntire is killed, but Murphy takes him and they have one interesting journey back.

The film is kind of The Comancheros in reverse with a younger Texas Ranger bringing back an older outlaw. Like Stuart Whiteman with John Wayne, Sullivan is full of tricks and charm, but Murphy is up to it.

The whole film like The Comancheros depends on the chemistry between Murphy and Sullivan and they do it have it. It makes watching Seven Ways from Sundown good fun and you don't think about some glaring plot holes and some rather specious character motivation for the main and supporting characters.

The title comes from the fact Murphy's dad numbered rather than named his children. And Murphy's mom embellished the numbers with some additions, One for the money, Two for the show, etc.

Hey it could happen. I was in Fort Polk, Louisiana back in 1971 with a guy named John Twenty Five in basic training. Having seen this film in the theater way back when it was always on my mind during that rather grueling period of my life with Mr. Twenty Five.

Seven Ways from Sundown is directed by Harry Keller and adapted to screenplay by Clair Huffaker from his own novel of the same name. It stars Audie Murphy, Barry Sullivan, Venetia Stevenson, John McIntire and Kenneth Tobey. A UIP production in Eastman Color with music scored by William Lava & Irving Gertz (Joseph Gershenson supervising) and cinematography by Ellis Carter. Plot finds Murphy as Seven Ways from Sundown, a Texas Ranger who tracks and captures notorious outlaw Jim Flood (Sullivan). As the two men make their way back to Texas, a bond begins to form...

It's another Audie Murphy Western that rarely gets a mention when the talk turns to Murphy's best Oaters. On this occasion, though, it's not because it is operating suspiciously at the low end of the "B" Western scale, or that it is boorish in the formula department, this is actually a case of it being under seen by the last couple of generations of Western fans. A shame because it has much to recommend.

Film basically centres around the two (initial) polar opposite characters finding a mutual respect as they traverse the dusty land back to Texas. Along the way they encounter problems; Apache attack, bounty hunters et al, but they play cards, they fight, with both men getting ample opportunities to either escape or wound, but mostly they talk. Wonderful dialogue driven chat from the Huffaker (Rio Conchos/The Commancheros) pen. This isn't in the same league as the psychological smarts laden 3:10 to Yuma chatter between Heflin and Ford, no sir, but it's well scripted and boosted considerably by the chemistry between Murphy and Sullivan.

It's an odd couple physically, especially in the early parts as Seven has Greenhorn traits to overcome, but the guy's odd friendship does become believable. When Seven says late in the day that there's no man he trusts more than Flood, we understand why, because Keller (Day of the Bad Man/Quantez) and Huffaker have done great work in bringing the characters and actors to life. There's extra spice in the beans, too, with knowledge given to us of what Flood has done with his guns and what Seven is irked by in his past, he has a calling but is it a burden?

There's enough action in here to please the undemanding Western fan, with gun play, fist throws and show downs (look out for a nice stunt leap off of a wagon), while there's the odd smattering of heroism such as Audie saving a dog from a bird of prey! A potential romance angle (no not between the men) is very low key and not a hindrance, McIntire and Tobey impact nicely with their respective performances and Nevada's Red Rock Canyon forms a magnificent back drop (bravo Ellis Carter). But this is all about Murphy and Sullivan and the care and consideration afforded them by Messrs Keller and Huffaker. Far from perfect for sure, anyone will find holes in this sort of production, but forgiveness is not hard to come by when it plays out so damn well. Hey! The ending is a real beaut as well. 8/10

Footnote: I viewed the film from British TV, Dave Channel. A lovely print that only makes me lament there's no widespread DVD release for this film. There is a very expensive Region 2 French DVD available from certain outlets, the quality of which I can't vouch for.

Highly enjoyable movie find our hero Seven in pursuit of famed super villain Flood (Barry Sullivan).

As usual Murphy delivers as he transitions from naive rookie to seasoned professional all the while being casually manoeuvred by Sullivan.

As good as Murphy is in the movie, its Sullivan who really owns the film. Playing the suave, charismatic and in an odd way loyal baddie moving from town to town almost as a Robin Hood type persona. He manages to swash buckle his way through the film without a cutlass or a parrot!

Have fun watching this one :)