Hour Of The Gun (1 Viewer)

[UKReb]

Tasked with having to write a series of magazine articles on the various Hollywood versions of The Gunfight at the OK Corral I set about tracking down a couple of the Earp films I did not have in my library stash. I discovered that Hour of the Gun (1967) was available in BluRay but surprisingly released only in Australia & New Zealand. I finally located a copy on line from a store in Melbourne and have just finished watching it-twice!

Cannot remember when I last saw this movie but it must have been around the time The Old Testament was still new. .But its a real cracker directed by John Sturges who was never satisfied with his previous production starring Lancaster and Douglas- so ten years later he came up with this revisionist version. Film begins rather than ends with the actual gunfight and progresses with Earp and Doc's Vendetta Ride to avenge Morgan's death and Virgil's wounding.

James Garner (never one of my favourite actors) is really outstanding as Earp who is presented here as a cold hearted killer and as for Jason Robards playing the consumptive Holliday, well a brilliant performance worthy of an Oscar (which of course it being a western he didn't get). But probably it's Edward Anholt's sparkling dialogue on why I watched it twice and thoroughly enjoyed it. It contains a bounty full of great lines especially from the cynical but always loyal Robards.... such as "Wyatt, those aren't warrants you have there.....the're hunting licences".

Too young to fully appreciate this classic back in the late 60s but in true serendipity fashion I have rediscovered a real "forgotten gem"

Bob

 

[lancer]

Tasked with having to write a series of magazine articles on the various Hollywood versions of The Gunfight at the OK Corral I set about tracking down a couple of the Earp films I did not have in my library stash. I discovered that Hour of the Gun (1967) was available in BluRay but surprisingly released only in Australia & New Zealand. I finally located a copy on line from a store in Melbourne and have just finished watching it-twice!

Cannot remember when I last saw this movie but it must have been around the time The Old Testament was still new. .But its a real cracker directed by John Sturges who was never satisfied with his previous production starring Lancaster and Douglas- so ten years later he came up with this revisionist version. Film begins rather than ends with the actual gunfight and progresses with Earp and Doc's Vendetta Ride to avenge Morgan's death and Virgil's wounding.

James Garner (never one of my favourite actors) is really outstanding as Earp who is presented here as a cold hearted killer and as for Jason Robards playing the consumptive Holliday, well a brilliant performance worthy of an Oscar (which of course it being a western he didn't get). But probably it's Edward Anholt's sparkling dialogue on why I watched it twice and thoroughly enjoyed it. It contains a bounty full of great lines especially from the cynical but always loyal Robards.... such as "Wyatt, those aren't warrants you have there.....the're hunting licences".

Too young to fully appreciate this classic back in the late 60s but in true serendipity fashion I have rediscovered a real "forgotten gem"

Bob

A great film, if underated by many critics, and I agree about Garner and Robards. I liked Garner's take on Earp quite a lot. Oddly enough, I just watched this again a week or so ago. As for the Lancaster-Douglas version, love that as well, regardless of the inaccuracies. Plus it has the added benefit of a very memorable music theme. -- Al

 

[TomB]

Tasked with having to write a series of magazine articles on the various Hollywood versions of The Gunfight at the OK Corral I set about tracking down a couple of the Earp films I did not have in my library stash. I discovered that Hour of the Gun (1967) was available in BluRay but surprisingly released only in Australia & New Zealand. I finally located a copy on line from a store in Melbourne and have just finished watching it-twice!

Cannot remember when I last saw this movie but it must have been around the time The Old Testament was still new. .But its a real cracker directed by John Sturges who was never satisfied with his previous production starring Lancaster and Douglas- so ten years later he came up with this revisionist version. Film begins rather than ends with the actual gunfight and progresses with Earp and Doc's Vendetta Ride to avenge Morgan's death and Virgil's wounding.

James Garner (never one of my favourite actors) is really outstanding as Earp who is presented here as a cold hearted killer and as for Jason Robards playing the consumptive Holliday, well a brilliant performance worthy of an Oscar (which of course it being a western he didn't get). But probably it's Edward Anholt's sparkling dialogue on why I watched it twice and thoroughly enjoyed it. It contains a bounty full of great lines especially from the cynical but always loyal Robards.... such as "Wyatt, those aren't warrants you have there.....the're hunting licences".

Too young to fully appreciate this classic back in the late 60s but in true serendipity fashion I have rediscovered a real "forgotten gem"

Bob

An old movie with a surprise role by James Garner...after watching "Support your local Sheriff" and then watching The hour of the Gun I was expecting another James Garner sort of comedy movie.....A serious JG surprised me.....I thought it was a very good movie and ofcourse with Jacon Robards as "Doc" it had to be a good movie..... cheers TomB

 

[GICOP]

For any UK members interested in viewing this film it is on TCM this Friday (July 5th) at 3pm.

I will be watching it :wink2:

Cheers

Martyn