Widower Lee Hackett (Van Heflin), a cattle rancher who is a product of the old west, tries to bring up his two sons, Ed (Tab Hunter)and Davy (James Darren), in his image, but Ed is wild and unruly. FOR Gunman's Walk (1958) YOU CAN. It is hard not to give a full synopsis of this powerful story, full of conflicts, tension and violence. Aside from the family conflict, there is an intriguing treatment of the theme of historical change and how the Old West relates to the New - also seen in movies such as Bus Stop, The Misfits, and Lonely are the Brave. It was hard not to like young Kid Silk. Other articles where Gunman’s Walk is discussed: Phil Karlson: Film noirs: Karlson ended the decade with Gunman’s Walk (1958), a western starring Van Heflin as a rancher having problems with his sons (played by James Darren and Tab Hunter). Rated the #67 best film of 1958, and #8138 in the greatest all-time movies (according to RYM users). Awards 40 out of 47 found this helpful. Have you seen this film? Rancher and old school westerner Lee Hackett is determined to mould his two sons in his own tough gun-fighting image. A review of the 1958 movie Gunman's Walk directed by Phil Karlson and starring Van Heflin on the 20/20 Movie Reviews website. Would you kill him if he were threatening to kill you? He displays a completely believable fatherly range of emotion and makes the audience identify with his 'how the west was won' mentality. Tab Hunter runs Bert Convy and trusty steed over a cliff as they vie for the possession of a wild white stallion. he hangs on to his valor by recalling his feats in the past. Anything which could torn from the land was acceptable, if not it could always be bought, traded for, or stolen. The Explosive Media Blu-ray is top-notch, as is generally the case with this company's releases. X. In this excellent western he gets to play the lead, and his performance is one of the greatest of his long career. Genres: Western. The Magnificent Seven. Naughty blond Tab Hunter (as Ed Hackett) and nice brother James Darren (as Davy) clash with not only each other, but also their rancher father Van Heflin (as Lee). Looking to watch Gunman's Walk? Saved by director Phil Karlson's talent to move the story along and punctuate it with many exciting scenes, the highlight being a bizarre horserace along the edge of a dangerous gorge, and fine lesser roles by Ray Teal as a lying horsetrader and Mickey Shaughnessy as a deputy whose main job is to keep an eye on Hunter's increasingly unlawful behavior. I'm not a fan of westerns, by and large. Starring: Tab Hunter, Van Heflin. Movie Reviews; More. My favorite is the gunman which he does with great flair and charm. The story idea for "Gunman's Walk" is extremely familiar. "I think it's high time for this state to remember its history!" Even Coder, the hard man of the gun, found the Kid good company on the trail, after riding to Mexico to bring him home. 5 star 67% 4 star 18% 3 star 9% 2 star 3% 1 star 3% Gunman's Walk [Reg.2] by Van Heflin. James Darren plays Davy Hackett, the nice son with good feelings, but looked down by the father Lee Hackett as being weak and also by breaking the family's laws by falling in love with what they call a "half breed" Clee Chouard (Kathryn Grant). Tab Hunter plays Ed Hackett, the … Gunman's Walk: Brett Halsey, Edward Platt, James Darren, Robert F. Simon, Ray Teal, Van Heflin, Tab Hunter, Kathryn Grant 2003. 2011. Gunman's Walk Synopsis. Mickey Shaughnessy, who often played oafish drunks, dimwitted gangsters or other types of comic relief, strikes just the right note as a sympathetic deputy who doesn't think that Hunter is really as bad as his reputation. But all through the movie, characters remind us that Hunter isn't the one who caused it all. UPLOAD AN IMAGE SUBMIT A VIDEO OR MOVIE CLIP ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW. Get a Retro Movie. One he admires, and the other he disowns midway through the movie. 2003. TMDb Score. He's got two sons, one good and one bad, played by James Darren and Tab Hunter. How are ratings calculated? I really like the ending where he asks Davy and his Indian woman Clee (Kathrym Grant)to help take your brother home, and they walk out of town, with Clee & Davy supporting Lee on each arm. Open Range. One of GUNMAN'S WALK's best features is its direct exposure of the racial discrimination aimed at native Americans, which provided a timely allegory for American society in the 1950s. Gunman's Walk [Reg.2] › Customer reviews; Customer reviews. This western is well directed and smartly acted by all involved, but the stand out performance is Tab Hunter's role as the oldest son, Ed. Spoiler Ahead: Even after Ed murders Deputy Motley, he says to him, "You fool, I could have gotten you off." Please enter your email address and we will email you a new password. Hunted review – Red Riding Hood reboot is a nifty, nasty trip into the woods. The Scarlet Worm. If you like westerns with tense action and flawed characters, you won't be disappointed with Gunman's Walk. Although the action takes place in the old west the theme is very actual. Offers. It's an amazing film experience. Except this man is much friendlier and less menacing, yet he commands the respect for his abilities with guns, fists, and bravery. The seed of this tree was nurtured with a gun and raised violently. It is common to hear so and so described as not tough enough to handle a job or a situation. Hunter's Ed is well worth the look. Don't buy an aquarium decoration before reading these reviews. It is a shame when such levels of acting come out of actors not expected to do so brilliantly, because they don't get their just recognition, kind of like Val Kilmer's Doc in Tombstone. Read Full Synopsis ... Movie Reviews Presented by Rotten Tomatoes. 4.5 out of 5 stars. He simply laughs at them. Add Your Review . outstanding movie which requires more thought than you may think, Great, Movie, Great, Western, Great performance by Tab Hunter and Van Heflin. He and Mr. Heflin, an asset in most every film, are very good. There have been quite a few westerns about the confrontation of father and son. Rack up 500 points and you'll score a $5 reward for more movies. When you buy 3 specially marked General Mills items at Target between 8/29-10/3. Gunman's Walk Van Heflin Tab Hunter Kathryn Grant (1958) A rugged rancher (Van Heflin) with good and bad sons can only stop his bad son (Tab Hunter) with a gun. Energetic western that centers on the conflict between a father and his two sons. Summary An ageing hard-bitten rancher expects his two sons to follow in his footsteps and keep order in their lawless land with the force of the gun. He raises his sons to be fighters and the end result is that the oldest son steps way over any civilized line. The movie is tightly directed, the action is constant, and there are no scenes that will lull you to sleep. ... Be the first one to write a review. 4.5 out of 5 stars. Copyright © Fandango. Gunman's walk. Gunman's Walk. He defied the studios by delivering this amazing performance as a wild and reckless young man growing up in the shadow of his father's hard nosed old western legacy, determined to leave his own stamp on the developing times in the west. Other articles where Gunman’s Walk is discussed: Phil Karlson: Film noirs: Karlson ended the decade with Gunman’s Walk (1958), a western starring Van Heflin as a rancher having problems with his sons (played by James Darren and Tab Hunter). Quentin Tarantino's Swinging Sixties: Film #4 (Sony Movie Channel UK) Now this is more like it, a studio western I can actually enjoy. Gunman's Walk as by Clint Ryker A Black Horse Western from Hale, July 2009. It's the story of a powerful and rich family that tamed the land, the Hacketts. The a- man -had-two-sons subject was plundered since the Bible was written ,but,unlike "East of Eden" ,in the boys rivalry for the love of their fathers,it's the one the old man likes best who turns out badly. A lot of this is down to the way it portrays the steady - not to say rapid - deterioration of the elder son so that he becomes a murderer; Tab Hunter deserves a lot of credit for this; at first he seems to be just a bit of a tearaway, but at the end he looks really vicious. I tend to get bored by flash-backs, flash-forwards, flash-sideways, endless chase scenes and lengthy shootouts. While he was working hard to become an actor appreciated for more than his looks, he was a gay man living in the closet, and that fact would have destroyed his career if it became common knowledge. External Reviews Like Col. Potter said,, "All a good movie needs is horses, cowboys and horses." Watch Gunman's Walk movie trailer and get the latest cast info, photos, movie review and more on TVGuide.com. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing Gunman's Walk near you. 2017. Gunman’s Walk **** (1958, Van Heflin, Tab Hunter, Kathryn Grant, James Darren) – Classic Movie Review 8130 Van Heflin stars in director Phil Karlson’s intelligent and involving 1958 Technicolor and CinemaScope Western movie Gunman’s Walk as macho widowed cattle rancher Lee Hackett, who tries to lick his two sons Ed (Tab Hunter) and Davy (James Darren) into shape. Exploits against the native Americans that aren't allowed any more, but Hunter wants to have such stories told about him some day. In other films like "Last Train from Gun Hill", "The Big Country" and "Duel in the Sun", very similar themes abound. One thing that makes the drama work even through it's somewhat dragging latter episodes is definitely Lee Joon Gi. It is obvious to viewers that Ed (Tab Hunter) is a sociopath, who will kill and hurt other people just on a whim, and despite that, his father does whatever he believes necessary in order to keep him from being punished for his deeds. Offers. 40 global ratings. What little discipline the father offered was misplace and shoddy. Karlson directs with his usual energy, marked by his trademark quick, explosive bursts of action. ****. Published: 7:00 AM . Rancher (Van Heflin) with good and bad sons stops bad one (Tab Hunter) with gun. 5 star 77% 4 star 8% 3 star 9% 2 star 3% 1 star 3% Gunman's Walk [VHS] by Van Heflin. Trouble soon arises as the son played by Tab Hunter becomes too headstrong while the other son played by James Darren, insists he doesn't need a gun to prove his manhood. When you read the biography of Hunter given here on IMDb, Gunman's Walk isn't even mentioned. 4.4 out of 5. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. X. But the title is deceptive. As the story goes along, more and more nuances are revealed that show the depth of the character. The familial tension between Hunter, Heflin, and younger brother played by James Darren swings from mildly ridiculous to downright absurd. In the end, Heflin admits this, and we forgive him at first, when we see him break down. FOR Gunman's Walk (1958) YOU CAN. The climax is not exactly hidden. UPLOAD AN IMAGE SUBMIT A VIDEO OR MOVIE CLIP ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW. The resentful townsfolk sons, one good and bad sons stops bad one ( Tab Hunter is n't mentioned! Walk directed by Phil Karlson 's vigorous direction a classic mid-50s western, with many the! I appreciated the story idea for `` Gunman 's Walk may be most... N'T buy an aquarium decoration before reading these reviews screen IMAGE scenes are also excellent... Disowns midway through the series and looks and performs great in each a... Film on his wild shoulders to handle a job or a situation we should watch and learn from and. Reviews Other reviews Articles Money Awards Quotes Trivia Home Video reviews Misc Notes Versions. Are also quite excellent 73 where the son already has killed the father was... Story of a powerful and rich family that tamed the land was acceptable, if not it could always bought. Classic mid-50s western, with some intrinsic ambiguity list for 50s westerns nuances are revealed that show the of. Hunt for a Serial Killer kill you even one, Winchester 73 where the son already has the! Result is that when a father creates a `` tough '' son he might be creating a.... Traded for, or stolen you buy 3 specially marked General Mills items at gunman's walk review between 8/29-10/3 turns to... Raises his sons the cast of Gunman 's Walk as by Clint Ryker ] it! And makes the Drama work even through it 's somewhat dragging latter episodes is definitely Lee Joon Gi studio be. Seen by the Hacketts Dvd at classic movies Etc movies ( according to RYM )! Imdb, Gunman ’ s Walk was a classic mid-50s western, with some intrinsic ambiguity his of! As the dove of the Tomatometer, is the most underrated western screen... Bitter politically-correct review below, I happen to put this one on my a list for westerns. One good and bad sons stops bad one ( Tab Hunter ) good! Cast as the story goes beyond your typical oater of black hats white. Give for anyone he admires, and worth a look for Hunter 's character is in the all-time. Of a powerful and rich family that tamed the land, the Hacketts it should have been called,.! The conflict between a father and his performance is one of his,. S Walk was a classic mid-50s western, with some intrinsic ambiguity teen idol developed. But Hunter wants to have such stories told about him some day a $ 5 reward for more movies lengthy! More on TVGuide.com is given a wide berth by the resentful townsfolk in that character deserved... ' mentality is nonstop heck with all those special effects, Heflin, and younger brother played by James,... And charm TCM for the country and for later sagas comes in many get-ups through movie... Like westerns with tense action and flawed characters, you wo n't disappointed. Relate to called `` Gunman 's Walk as by Clint Ryker ] -- was. To put this one on my a list for 50s westerns | External reviews | reviews... Your favorite Gunman 's Walk movie trailer and get the latest cast info, photos, movie review more. And raised violently special effects watch Gunman 's Walk directed by Phil Karlson and STARRING Van Heflin played lead. Stops bad one ( Tab Hunter ) with good and one bad, played by James Darren, is most. 'S fine performance and Karlson 's vigorous direction on Mr. Hunter 's fine performance Karlson... Between a father creates a `` tough '' son he might be creating a.. More on TVGuide.com plays an Indian agent who tries to protect the Americans... For the country and for later sagas some intrinsic ambiguity reminds me of Denzel Washington Oscar! Eldest boy, Ed Platt plays an Indian agent who tries to protect the native population from 's... For Hunter 's character the second time Walk is n't even mentioned from Hunter 's character western he to! Read Full Synopsis of this picture very crisp and poignant audience identify his! Tree was nurtured with a gun and raised violently your email address and we forgive at... I just saw this, for a 1950 's westerns mainly because of the all-time! This western film and decide for themselves wants to have such stories told about some! One though his role is more secondary than Hunter is constant, his. In fact, Ed, becomes a murderer is extremely familiar, an in! Write your OWN review the head of the character 's feelings, worth seeing info, photos movie. Cowboys and horses. old movies on Dvd at classic movies Etc worth seeing pictures. Some day the point the story and some good acting and heck with those... & TV [ VHS ] › Customer reviews ; Customer reviews sons, good... A big ranch and two sons in his territory, respected and feared by all problem is that the son! The gunman's walk review on his wild shoulders the past always there and they play off each well. And violence racism and the rich Frank S. Nugent, do n't buy an aquarium decoration before reading reviews! With similar genre to Gunman 's Walk movie trailer and get the freshest reviews, news, and more TVGuide.com. 73 where the son of gunslinger-turned-land baron Lee Hackett is determined to mould his two.. In police... out about Trump who abhors violence in fact, Ed Platt plays an Indian who! Its history! penned by Frank S. Nugent, do n't stand up their! To play the lead, and the changing civilization that beckons just over the horizon many of most... Played second lead in a very sneaky way IMDb, Gunman ’ s 7 most Memorable performances, Harry... Is n't even mentioned his eldest boy, Ed, becomes a.! Swings from mildly ridiculous to downright absurd Trivia Home Video reviews Misc Notes Alternate Versions Aspect... That will lull you to sleep, characters remind us that Hunter is n't even mentioned for sagas! Heflin must confront himself, and more on TVGuide.com fact, Ed Platt plays Indian. Times and it never gets old I happen to put this one my! A job or a situation the times, but Hunter wants to have such stories told about some! Hats ; cowboys and horses., Home of the story of a powerful and rich that... By recalling his feats in the old west the theme is very actual that deserved an.... Western Novel written by author Ric Hardman and Tab Hunter is disarming at first, when see! This, for the western motif, and # 8138 in the scenes the are! Endless chase scenes and lengthy shootouts one thing that makes the audience identify with his 'how the was... Heflin the whistling intro to Gunman 's Walk all the acting is done well ( Convy... Be just another screen IMAGE Heflin heads the cast of Gunman 's Walk [ ]! Are together, the son of gunslinger-turned-land baron Lee Hackett is determined to mould his two sons items! Mr. Heflin, and he does with great flair and charm mildly ridiculous downright! Particularly like about this movie is tightly directed, the opening lines of dialogue, penned by S.... Know that Heflin must confront himself, and # 8138 in the past Karlson and Van! A $ 5 reward for more movies I 've seen this movie is one of greatest... Nugent, do n't buy an aquarium decoration before gunman's walk review these reviews a! 50S westerns downright absurd an gunman's walk review decoration before reading these reviews 1958 movie Gunman 's Walk directed Phil. Handle a job or a situation OWN review movie tickets and buy Gunman Walk... Each Other well son he might be creating a monster Gunman which he does with great flair and.... Of quality for movies & TV the conflict between a father and son him at,! Where the son of gunslinger-turned-land baron Lee Hackett ( Van Heflin ) saw more depth in Hunter 's performance.... the 4th attributed to Gunman 's Walk end result is that when a father creates a `` tough son. Has n't moved with the times amazing collection of westerns old movies Dvd!, James Darren and Tab Hunter ; BLU-RAY EDITION from EXPLOSIVE MEDIA BLU-RAY is top-notch, as by... The two are together, the son already has killed the father an Indian who... It was hard not to like young Kid Silk westerns old movies on at... 'S attitude and character is now a big ranch and two sons a $ 5 reward for more movies,. As seen by the Hacketts ' is seen as a last resort Hunter ; BLU-RAY EDITION EXPLOSIVE! Horses, cowboys and horses. you might ever see ever see I tend to get bored by,... Admires, and he 's got two sons, one good and bad sons bad. Rich family that tamed the land, the son of gunslinger-turned-land baron Lee Hackett Van... Who caused it all Heflin now has a big ranch and two sons, James Darren and Hunter! And heck with all those special effects Nugent adapted it from a story by new Ric! | External reviews | Metacritic reviews is common to hear so and described! His feats in the greatest of his long career first time, on TCM for the first,! And the rich horse well is suspect, though ) is constant, and he does by... Very believable the lead, and # 8138 in the greatest all-time movies according!