Heaven with a Gun

A seasoned gunslinger comes to a town in the Southwest (Glenn Ford) where he finds himself aiding sheepherders against proud cattlemen (John Anderson, David Carradine, Noah Beery Jr., etc.). Yet his real intention is to start a church (!). Carolyn Jones is on hand as a saloon operator.

"Heaven with a Gun" (1969) was originally announced in the mid-50s as a vehicle starring Gregory Peck. A dozen years later it was finally shot with Ford as the lead and the addition of some fashionable elements inspired by the late 60s, like Barbara Hershey as the hippie-like half-breed, including a scene where she sits naked outside the preacher's house amazed by the starry panorama.

The obvious comparison would be "Pale Rider" (1985), but Ford's pastor is thoroughly mundane compared to Eastwood's 'preacher,' lacking the vague supernatural angle of that later flick.

The script commendably shows a real West of working cattlemen and respectfully fleshes them out in the second half, but the sympathetic commentaries regarding the mogul's son (Carradine) by his father (Anderson) and the ramrod (Beery Jr.) are wasted since it had been established by that point that Coke is a detestable piece of you-know-what. Then again, what happens to him is fitting.

Angelique Pettyjohn is a highlight on the feminine front as prostitute Emily; she was 25 during shooting and never looked better. You might remember her from her most popular role as Shahna in the Star Trek episode "The Gamesters of Triskelion" where she wore a futuristic tinfoil bikini. Here she has a surprising nude scene that's more artful than offensive (but be warned if nudity offends you).

The biggest problem with the film is the shallow tip of the hat to pacifism under the guise of being biblical when it's actually hypocritical. To explain, the protagonist gives up his firearms at the end to nobly confront the situation in a nonviolent manner, but the situation is resolved by another man with a gun. I suppose such doublespeak could be defended on the grounds that the wise MIDDLE GROUND between absolute pacifism and rash violence is the way to go. In other words, speak softly and strive for peace, but carry a big stick for when you might need it.

As for absolute pacifism being biblical, it's not; LIMITED pacifism is. Sure, the Lord told Peter in Gethsemane "Those who live by the sword will perish by the sword," but his initial instruction was for Peter to "put the sword back in its place," NOT throw it away (Matthew 26:52). There's a difference between living by the sword and utilizing it when necessary, which explains why some of the disciples carried swords during their ministerial travels in the first place (fully known by Christ).

A good example of limited pacifism is when the returning Hebrews restored the walls of Jerusalem, they posted armed guards for protection from deadly enemies (Nehemiah 4:7-9). Simply put, in a wicked world arms are sometimes necessary, such as any potentially life-threatening situation.

There's enough good in "Heaven with a Gun" to make it worth checking out, but the storytelling is a little tedious even though spliced with interesting bits. It needed a rewrite to flush out its potential.

The film runs 1 hour, 41 minutes, and was mostly shot in Arizona, including Old Tucson.

GRADE: B-/C+

What you have here is a western made late in the period of Westerns. For us of that era, we see the similar. Beery, Anderson, Griffith, Bryant are western mainstays. Especially Anderson. They came from the late 30s. We KNOW they're acting level. They don't even need scripts. In this movie they are bringing the next generation up, like David Carradine who is not his father John, but does ok. These actors and actresses, especially Carolyn, a favorite from the noirs are known characters. Even Glenn still wears his brown corduroy jacket that he wore in Evil Gun on 1958. And he wears on Cades County etc. Its his character. The acting in these artists is always good. Its THEM. What is bad is the late 1960s silent directing coming into the 70s where blood and gore gets more prevalent, like in Gene Hackman. Thats when westerns became awful. This Glenn Ford movie is one of the last of the era. I could see it over and over. Oh and the plot, it is one of seven pulled for a western story, dealing with land rights. It looks to me some commentels are judging by today's movies for comparison. Like even mentioning Eastwood..come on. This story isn't in Eastwood's generation. But if you want to see Clint in Sheep watch the Rawhide episode where he becomes a sheep man.

(1969) Heaven With A Gun WESTERN

Glenn Ford plays as a professional gunfighter, Jim Killian stopping by to a town with no sheriff, or judge for that matter, intending to open a church and to be a pastor. Forced by the hand to settle a dispute between sheep and cattle men, leading to some unfortunate circumstances.

I like Glen Ford Westerns but this film does not do anything for me. It is another one those films where the good guy does not do anything until it is too late, causing deaths of some characters I cared about. The movie also stars a rather young David Carradine and Barbara Hershey as the lonely Native American, Leloopa.

After a solid first hour, "Heaven With a Gun" thins out and becomes slightly more than routine. The movie could have used less sadism and sensationalism; while a topless Angelique Pettijohn is appreciated, gratuitous nudity tends to put off the very audience attracted to this kind of western. Carolyn Jones is nearly wasted, and I really wanted to know more about her prior relationship with Ford. Barbara Hershey does a fine job as the half-breed Hopi whom Ford protects. Ford and Hershey's relationship could have also used a little more sexual tension; and Hershey, to her credit, seemed ready to provide it.

Production values are good, if not spectacular, and director Lee Katzin, while no Sergio Leone, keeps things moving nicely.

"Heaven With a Gun" is a cut above most of Glenn Ford's later western. Too bad MGM didn't put a little more into the story and running time.

I give "Heaven With a Gun" a weak "7".

I became a movie buff at age 13, (now 63), and would have crawled to the local theater over broken glass, to see any cowboy movie showing, if I had to. By the time I was 16 years of age, I was a devout Randolph Scott, Audie Murphy fan, but when I saw "Heaven With A Gun", Glenn Ford instantly became my number 1 cowboy hero, and me old mates Randolph and Audie had to take a back seat. For me, due to the humble, yet determined character Glenn Ford played so beautifully, this movie offered some great moralistic encouragement, and at the same time, stimulated an enthusiasm to believe in myself against all odds and "stick to my guns", as the expression goes. You will relate to this expression if you watch the movie. If anybody knows where I can buy this difficult-to-purchase movie, please let me know. (noel@youngnoel.com). I would do absolutely anything to add this movie to my collection. If you want to be truly entertained, this is a "Must-see" movie.