Dialogue de feu

A Gunfight is directed by Lamont Johnson and written by Harold Jack Bloom. It stars Kirk Douglas, Johnny Cash, Jane Alexander, Karen Black and Raf Vallone. Music is by Laurence Rosenthal and cinematography by David Walsh.

Will Tenneray (Douglas) and Abe Cross (Cash) are two ageing gunfighters who after meeting each other in town hit it of straight away and actually like and respect each other. However, with both men in need of money and the whole town intrigued as to who would win in a gunfight between them, Tenneray hits upon the idea of the two of them having the gunfight and selling tickets to the event, with the winner receiving the ticket proceeds…

It was the first mainstream American film to be financed by American Indians—the Jicarilla Apaches—but this in now way was a propaganda move since the narrative has nothing to do with Native Americans. It's a most unusual Western in a lot of ways, off beat and deliberately played for fun at times, yet it pulses with dark thematics involving the human condition. Stripped bare is the fickle value of celebrity status, deftly cloaked with the ignorant blood-lust of a paying public.

Director Johnson keeps the pacing smooth as we get to know both men and watch their relationship unfold. All the while we are getting a grasp on the townsfolk in general, while the two ladies of the men's world are impacting greatly due to the sensitive screenplay. All roads lead to the ironic venue of a bullfighting arena across the border, where a full house of paying patrons come to see one of the men die. Whoever that is doesn't really matter, the caustic insertion of a dream sequence at film's end leaves us in no doubt that the winner really hasn't won at all.

With great performances from Douglas and Alexander, and good ones from Cash and Black, film also holds up well on the acting front. But the real stars here are Johnson and Bloom, for they have produced a clever picture that doesn't over reach itself by trying to be cerebral. It deserves to be better known and appraised. 7.5/10

As one of Cash's most ardent music fans, I have unfortunately almost always been disappointed with his performances on the silver screen. His films are usually poorly written, shot, edited (which you can almost always blame the director.) This one, I was almost thrown out of my chair. Though Cash was not a disciplined actor he had his charisma, and the director, for all his faults recognized this and seemed less inclined to dictate him and just let The Man say his lines the way Cash himself would say them. Though this film is not for everyone, those who appreciate westerns and those especially inclined towards the late, great Man In Black will appreciate it. If given the choice, I recommend the 1989 re-release on VHS titled "Dueling Guns."

After mining for gold for over six months in Mexico, a gunslinger by the name of "Abe Cross" (Johnny Cash) decides to ride across the border and redeem what few nuggets he has found for American dollars. Although he hadn't planned on staying very long, when his horse is bitten by a rattlesnake right outside of town, he decides to stay until it can be treated and healed. Being a small town, it isn't long until the news is spread that a famous gunslinger has just arrived. What creates an even larger sensation is that another famous gunslinger by the name of "Will Tenneray" (Kirk Douglas) has recently taken up residence in this same town and--before you know it--the townsfolk are making bets on who will prevail against the other in a gunfight. At first, neither one has any interest in a shootout, however, when they come to realize how much money the winner could collect, they both begin to have second thoughts--and that's when things become even more intense between them and everyone else in town. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this turned out to be a surprisingly good Western which showcases the conflicting interests and desires between not only the two gunfighters but also everyone in this small town as well. I especially liked the ending which presented a potential alternative version had the outcome been different. Be that as it may, I enjoyed this film and I have rated it accordingly.

"A Gunfight" is a pretty good movie. But it's important that folks know that it's all myth...the myth of the old west. So much of what you see in westerns is fake....created by Hollywood to sell tickets. So, while you'll see folks gunning down each other in duels on main street at high noon, this isn't real. I checked....and in the entire history of the old west, only two gunfights like this ever occurred...and they went down very differently in real life. In one case, it took four shots for one gunman to kill the other...and seeing folks doing trick shooting and rapid-firing and the like just didn't occur. When someone did shoot another person, it was usually with a rifle or shotgun and often they shot their victim in the back! No, the notion of the noble quick-shooter is something you just didn't see in the west....although this is the plot to "A Gunfight"!

When the story begins, Abe Cross (Johnny Cash) wanders into a town. He's broke, his horse is dying and he has a reputation as a fast shot which precedes him. Also in this same town is a resident, Will Tenneray (Kirk Douglas)...also thought to be a fast shot. But the pair don't hate each other and neither is in the mood for a fight and instead they share a few drinks and become friendly. During this time, Abe jokes that if they DID have a gunfight, folks would buy tickets to watch! Later, Will approaches Abe...and says selling tickets would be a great idea. Both are poor and the winner (i.e., the survivor) would be able to start a new life. Soon the town is abuzz with folks wanting to bet on the outcome. What's next?

Again, it's pure fiction. But it's well made pure fiction. Johnny Cash is very good and Kirk Douglas is what you'd expect. The film is also technically well made and interesting. My only complaint is that the ending is confusing.

So my suggestion is to watch it (it's currently on YouTube)...but don't believe this really is like the west because it isn't. In fact, I used to be an American history teacher and my students were very disappointed to hear that so many of their assumptions about the west are Hollywood creations.

By the way, oddly enough the Jacarilla Apache tribe was the major financer of the film. Perhaps they just liked the notion of some cowboys shooting each other or they thought it would be a good investment for the tribe.

Saw this,many,many years ago at the movies and it stayed on my mind. Having gone back to watch it again, more than once in the last couple of years,it seems even better than I remember. I have to confess to being a lifelong fan of Johnny Cash,although never convinced as to his acting skills.Still,he does convince here as Abe Cross and the whole story comes across well. True,not that much action but some Westerns don't need it. I do doubt,however,the information on IMDb that it was filmed in Spain. The Bullring is NOT the Madrid Bullring,as listed,I know that for a fact.Does anyone out there know where it was filmed? Best performance by JC on the screen?I think so. Kirk Douglas is great too and the questions raised about growing old,loneliness,love,money and how an "Outsider" faces up to it all,are explored well. A strange western but a minor masterpiece,a B movie(I love 'em!)in some ways but one that stays with you. A must see for all JC fans,of course. T