The Gunfighter (1950)

Directed by Henry King. Starring Gregory Peck, Millard Mitchell, Helen Westcott, Karl Malden, Jean Parker, Skip Homeier, Anthony Ross, Vernal Felton, Richard Jaeckel, Ellen Corby, Cliff Clark.

Engrossing Western breaks from the era’s traditional oater fare to present a psychological character study of a seasoned gunfighter full of regrets, lamenting the life of an outcast, weary of being the target of cocky youths itching to prove their mettle. Peck’s understated, thoughtful presence serves the character well (though his final scene lacks naturalism); Mitchell plays a sympathetic old friend, while Westcott plays the wife who hasn’t seen him in years and would prefer keeping it that way. Interestingly, the character Peck plays (Jimmy Ringo) is based on the real-life Johnny Ringo, who serves as an adversary in most other pictures in which he’s portrayed (typically antagonizing Wyatt Earp). King’s sturdy direction is low on atmosphere and suspense but the script (by William Sellers and William Bowers), esoteric yet straightforward, makes up for it. Alan Hale has a small role as the brother of one of Peck’s brash victims.

77/100