American Gun (2002)

When his daughter is shot just before Christmas, Martin Tillman journeys across the U.S. using the gun's serial number to track down the truth behind Penny's killing.

Director:

Alan Jacobs

Writer:

Alan Jacobs

Stars:

James Coburn, Virginia Madsen, Barbara Bain

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Coburn	...	Martin Tillman
Virginia Madsen	...	Penny Tillman
Barbara Bain	...	Anne Tillman
Alexandra Holden	...	Mia
Ryan Locke	...	Young Martin
Niesha Trout	...	Young Anne
Jesse Pennington	...	Pastor
Jason Winther	...	Mike
Alex Feldman	...	McNee
Paula O'Hara	...	Jasmine
Martin Kove	...	Theodore Huntley
Walter Jones	...	J.B. (as Walter Emauel Jones)
Andrea C. Pearson	...	Jewel
Anthony Harrell	...	Kyle
Toby Smith	...	Valerie

Storyline

A father who embarks on a nationwide journey to trace the line of ownership of the gun that killed his daughter. Starting with the gun factory, Martin travels to gun stores, trade shows, and individuals, also searching for his runaway granddaughter.

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Plot Keywords:

gun | armed robbery | accidental death | death of daughter | woman shot | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 June 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amerikai pisztoly

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Escalon Film Partners

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

'James Coburn''s last film.

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Goofs

While Coburn is reading the newspaper obituary of the gun maker's daughter at the American Gun factory, the date is shown as Thursday, March 18, 1988. However, 18 March 1988, actually fell on a Friday, not on a Thursday.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Young Martin: [narration] The first gun I ever held belonged to my grandfather. Grandpa said he fought alongside Teddy Roosevelt at San Juan Hill. But we never really believed him. Whatever it was he did there in Cuba, one thing is for sure, he brought home a service revolver. It was the most beautiful thing I ever saw.

User Reviews

Coburn Comes to Grip

Flashbacks to his childhood and World War II service show our narrator's strong bond with guns...

In the present, our elderly storyteller James Coburn (as Martin Tillman) lives in Vermont, with his beautiful wartime bride Barbara Bain (as Anne). Their snowy Christmas is brightened by a visit from daughter Virginia Madsen (as Penny). The family has overcome life's problems, and is a obviously a loving unit. During an immaculately prepared dinner, we learn details about the family's latest crisis - Mr. Coburn's granddaughter Alexandra Holden (as Mia) has run away from home. While daughter Madsen takes care of some Christmas shopping, Coburn secretly meets with young Holden. Or, so it seems… Writer/director Alan Jacobs tells a good story about a man coming to grip with tragedy; secondarily, we see the consequences of being quick on the trigger...

In hindsight, you can see the intent, but "American Gun" has some serious editing flaws. There is also one unforgivable "cheat" - during one of the film's shootings, a sound effect does not coincide with later events. The film tells the story of the "American Gun" responsible for the tragedy that befalls Coburn. He decides to trace ownership of the offending .357 Magnum, which he is able to obtain from the local police. Using the serial number, Coburn finds out how the gun was used across America. At the same time, Coburn looks for his granddaughter (who goes to the restroom without her purse). Most notably, this was the last feature film for Coburn (and, surprisingly, his real-life young wife Paula O'Hara, who play an attractive woman with car trouble).

***** American Gun (6/13/02) Alan Jacobs ~ James Coburn, Barbara Bain, Virginia Madsen, Alexandra Holden