Plus mort que vif

Despite its eccentric cast, MORE DEAD THAN ALIVE seems to be forgotten - for one thing, it's not even listed in the Leonard Maltin movie guide, and has never been released on video or DVD. Forgotten or not, it's one strange western! It starts off with a grisly (and lengthy) action sequence where the blood flies, then becomes sedate until near the end, where it suddenly turns grisly and bloody again! Inbetween it's a somewhat meandering but occasionally interesting western, with some bizarre directorial touches (like how many times a cut to another scene is done by someone or something walking straight up to the camera), but all the same has you wondering how this sympathetic ex-gunfighter will end up. You probably won't guess it, considering how the final scene had my jaw slack right open! Probably still worth seeing just for the chance of viewing Vincent Price in a western.

There are many films which the great actor Clint Walker made and a few became the foundation for the rest. In this film, which is one of his best, called " More Dead than Alive " is directed by Robert Spar and written by George Schench. It relates the unusual story of a multiple murderer, called Cain, (Clint Walker) who has paid the standard price for murdering several men, by serving nearly twenty years in prison. Now that he's out, he finds a job with Dan Ruffalo's (Vincent Price) wild west show. Earning honest money, Clain decides to capitalize on his infamous legacy while at the same time trying to go straight. Unfortunately, Cain's past is slowly creeping in on his peaceful life-style and it only a matter of time before it catches up to him. At the same time, Clain tries to teach Billy Valence an envious and arrogant reputation-seeking gun-slinger (Paul Hampton) not to make the same mistakes he made. The story is a moral one which has influence many a writer and director in the following movie years. For Walker, the least we can add is that this film has become a Classic. ****

Clint Walker is just out of prison after 18. He murdered a man and paid the price. Actually, he murdered a dozen, and so his hopes of getting a job, buying a ranch and never strapping on a gun again are futile. Instead, he becomes an attraction in Vincent Price's traveling shooting gallery. Because he hasn't handled a gun in almost two decades, he's slow and has poor aim; Price's assistant, Paul Hampton, is much faster and more accurate, but he has no reputation, and it eats at him.

The closing of the west was a frequent theme of the more ambitious American westerns of the 1960s, and ths is an examle of one; it's not just the west that's closing down, but its myth, of two-fisted fighters who face each other in the street, with only one walking away. This is a lesser example of the subgenre, but it's still good to watch, especially the scenes with Anne Francis as the woman Walker is sweet on, and who returns the feeling.

The title is misleading (as though it's some kind of zombie horror film), but this is definitely my kind of western. It's dark, sadistic, and action-filled. Clint Walker fans won't be disappointed, and I love the ending. Vincent Price seems to be having a great time in his role, and although Mike Henry is underused, he does a great job with his small, but important role, playing one of the villains. Hampton looks the part, but tends to overact a little (though not to the extent some have said) and ultimately he does well. I would rather have seen a tougher-looking guy in his role, such as Dean Smith, but it's not that big an issue.

In short, this is a dark, action-packed unique western, and I'm delighted that it's now on DVD in widescreen.

"More Dead Than Alive" is almost a really good movie but it misses the mark for some reason. There are three or four terrific scenes in this movie. There are also a lot of stuff that doesn't work. The cheapness of the production hurts this movie. It looks like a tv movie of that era more than it looks like a theatrical film. Clint Walker has always been hit or miss with me but he delivers a very nice performance. With the exception of Vincent Price, the supported cast is kind of weak. Paul Hampton does a nice enough job but he's a least ten years older than the character is supposed to be. I watch "More Dead Than Alive" every once in a while. It's a mostly satisfying watch.