A Gunfight (1971)

Director:

Lamont Johnson

Writer:

Harold Jack Bloom

Stars:

Kirk Douglas, Johnny Cash, Jane Alexander

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kirk Douglas	...	Will Tenneray
Johnny Cash	...	Abe Cross
Jane Alexander	...	Nora Tenneray
Karen Black	...	Jenny Simms
Dana Elcar	...	Marv Green
Robert J. Wilke	...	Marshal Tom Cater
Keith Carradine	...	The Young Gunfighter
Eric Douglas	...	Bud Tenneray
Paul Lambert	...	Ed Fleury
Raf Vallone	...	Francisco Alvarez
James D. Cavasos	...	Newt Hale
Philip L. Mead	...	Kyle Briggs
George Le Bow	...	Dekker
John J. Wallwork	...	Toby Leach
Neil Davis	...	Canbury

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

gunfighter | bullfight | bull arena | entertainment | duel | 

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Taglines:

In Bajo Rio, they pay to see a man kill a bull. Today, they'll pay to see a man kill another man.

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

GP

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 1971 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Gunfight

Filming Locations:

Eaves Movie Ranch - 105 Rancho Alegre Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Harvest, Joel Productions, Thoroughbred Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

A clip from this film featuring Johnny Cash as Abe Cross saying "You stay the hell away from me, ya hear?" featured in Cash's final music video before his death. The video was the widely acclaimed "Hurt" directed by Mark Romanek

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Quotes

Abe Cross: You stay the hell away from me, ya hear?

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Connections

Referenced in McCloud: Fifth Man in a String Quartet (1972)

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Soundtracks

"A Gunfight"
Composed & Sung by Johnny Cash

User Reviews

Peculiar character studio and spectacular gun battle between Douglas and Cash

When an outcast gunfighter (a recently deceased Johnny Cash) with battered hat and black dressed goes to a Western small town called Rio Bajo , he meets an old time gunslinger named Tenneray (Kirk Douglas) stranded in the location along with his wife (Jane Alexander) and son (Eric Douglas) . Today he's a big guy with an enjoyable family . Meanwhile the drifter named Will falls in love with a Saloon girl (Karen Black) , the girl who could give the big guy a hard time . The two gunmen get a friendship ; Tenneray says him that he earns in a month it that he spent in one day and which killed the famous gunfighter Ringo . The 'Rio Bajo' folks expect a gun-down and they'd never forget the day the confrontation between Cross and Will . Before they paid to see a man murder a bull , nowadays they pay to see killing men . Needing money , both arrange a showdown for paid entrance and the winner take all . They're got to face a gunfight once more to live up to their legend once more to win just once more time and more money . The excitement starts at the duel when the hands point straight up . They've nothing like'em together in a duel but in the heat and hate of the small town nothing can tear'em apart . Thus, a bull square will become the scenario of the most spectacular duel ever attempted . Who will survive and what will be left of them? .

The picture concerns upon a gun-battle pits two individualist characters . It's a serious , mature Hollywood Western with particular character studio about an aging gunslinger looking for peace and quiet , but also money and unable to avoid his reputation and the duel-challenges it invites against the baby-faced gun-fisted kid (Keith Carradine). So many good actors , such excellent actors as Raf Vallone , Robert J. Wilke , Keith Carradine , Dana Elcar among them , consent to appear in what amount small roles , besides make their film debut Johnny Cash and Eric Douglas (Kirk's true son and recently deceased for drug abuse). The lion's share of the acting meat deservedly goes to Johnny Cash in spite of his first film . There is , in addition , Johnny Cash's catchy theme and equally an impressive roaring climax with an amazing final showdown . It's a better than average Western although a little slow moving . The motion picture was well directed by Lamont Johnson (Little Annie and Little Britches and Mackenzie break) . If you're a Western fan you can't go far wrong with this .