Hour of the Gun
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Movie Reviews of Hour of the Gun
Movie Review: A search for vengeance
Summary: 4 Stars
James Garner, best known for lighter roles, here plays a grim Wyatt Earp in a movie that focuses not on the notorious and still controversial O.K. Corral fight, but on what came afterward. Hauled into court by prosecutor Octavius Roy (Albert Salmi), Wyatt and his friend Doc Holliday (Jason Robards) and brothers Morga and Virgil (Sam Melville, Frank Converse) are cleared of all charges by a practical-minded judge (William Schallert). But Ike Clanton (Robert Ryan) isn't done with them--not so much because his brother Billy was killed at the Corral, as because he's resolved to gather unto himself enough power so that when "the East comes West" he'll be able to face its power brokers on their own terms. Calling on Curly Bill Brocius (Jon Voigt, then 29 and a relative unknown), Andy Warshaw (Steve Ihnat), and Pete Spence (Michael Tolan), he has one of Wyatt's brothers assassinated and the other crippled for life. Now Wyatt sets out to even the score, with Doc at his side.
Although probably much closer to the reality than many of its predecessors (such as My Darling Clementine or Gunfight at the O.K. Corral), this version of the Earp epic might have profited by a bit more background as to why exactly the Clantons and the Earps got into a set-to in the first place. (It also ignores the existence of two other Clanton brothers, Phin and Sam; their father died the same year as the battle took place.) What's most intriguing is the relationship of Wyatt and Doc: the latter seems to serve as the former's conscience, determined that he not be allowed to kill needlessly. (Among the best parts of the movie is the sequence during which Doc rounds up a couple of reluctant but very useful "deputies," Texas Jack Vermillion and Turkey Creek Johnson (William Windom, Lonny Chapman).) Monte Markham has a small but very well-done part as Sherman McMasters, the Sheriff of Tucson, who makes up the fifth member of Wyatt's posse, and there's a lot of good focus on the leading citizens of Tombstone, who want to help Wyatt but are sometimes balked by the law and sometimes refused by Wyatt himself. (Caveat: though the Tombstone sheriff (Bill Fletcher) is here called Jimmy Bryan, his rela name was John "Johnny" Behan.)
Movie Review: A FINE BUT UNEVEN WESTERN FILM
Summary: 4 Stars
"Hour of the Gun" was one of the first attempts to accurately portray Wyatt Earp and the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and the bloody aftermath which followed. The movie begins with an exciting and fairly-accurate reenactment of the historic gunfight. The rest of the film itself is fine, but a tad bit uneven in its storytelling and characters. The story drags a bit, but picks up when the guns are drawn. It's also a tad historically inaccurate, though films of the time never tried too hard to be correct to the events like they do nowadays.
The performances in this film are hit-and-miss. James Garner's performance is, sadly, one of the film's weaknesses. Now, Garner is a terrific actor, but his Wyatt Earp is never brought to full life, as was done by Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner in later films. Robert Ryan plays Ike Clanton, but should have been given the character of Pa Clanton, as he is too old to play Ike, who was 34 at the time of the O.K. Corral. Ryan does the best he can, but his villain never becomes fully believable or menacing.
The best performance belongs to Jason Robards, who gives a terrific performance as Dr. John "Doc" Holliday. He is both funny and at times dark and menacing. His performance should go side-by-side with Dennis Quaid and Val Kilmer, other men who gave fantastic performances as Holliday. The rest of the supporting cast is fine, though they are given little to do in a film that focuses on Earp, Holliday and Clanton.
Overall, this is a fine filmed depiction of the events that took place in the aftermath of the O.K. Corral. Despite its flaws, its definitely worth a look, if not much else.
Movie/DVD Grade: B
Movie Review: Great Continuation of The OK Corral Saga
Summary: 4 Stars
John Sturges, who memorably filmed Gunfight at The OK Corral with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, returned to the subject by depicting the afternath of the famous shootout in Hour of The Gun. This time, James Garner takes over from Lancaster playing Wyatt Earp, while Jason Robards replaces Douglas as Doc Holliday.
Hour of The Gun follows as both of Earp's brother are ambushed after the OK Corral, and shows how a seemingly law-abiding, upright law official can be twisted into a vengeful killing machine. This theme was touched on in the first film, but takes center stage in this film. Robards watches as a man who he admires and respect for his convictions throws them all away to settle a blood feud. Garner's and Robards's performance are outstanding, with first-rate support by Robert Ryan as Ike Clanton, Steve Ihnat as Lattigo, one of the Clanton gang, and a young unknown Jon Voight as Curly Bill Brocious.
Contrary to a caption at the beginning of the film, Hour of The Gun is not a completely accurate retelling of the Earp/Holliday/Clanton saga, but it makes for one heck of a Western.
Movie Review: After the Gunfight at the OK Corral
Summary: 4 Stars
John Sturges' memorable follow-up to THE GUNFIGHT AT THE OK CORRAL with James Garner as Wyatt Earp and Jason Robards as Doc Holliday, Robert Ryan as Ike Clanton. Interesting to compare this film with the much later TOMBSTONE. Both are very good, yet still play alittle fast and loose with history. In reality Earp -- in the aftermath of his brothers being crippled and killed -- only killed four guys: Frank Stillwell the train station in Tuscon, Indian Charlie, Pete Spence and Curly Bill Brocious. It's never been proven one way or another if Earp or Holliday killed Johnny Ringo. Garner's Earp is cold and grim. Robards is a change from Kirk Douglas' version though, personally, I don't think anyone -- even Dennis Quaid who looked sick & wizened for WYATT EARP -- top Val Kilmer in TOMBSTONE. Still a worthwhile movie and never a waste of time. Look for a very young Jon Voight as Brocious, also Frank Converse and the late Sam Melville as the Earp bros Morgan and Virgil. Some twenty years later Garner would again portray Earp in SUNSET with Bruce Willis as Tom Mix.Movie Review: A Lesser-Known-But-Good Wyatt Earp Movie
Summary: 4 Stars
Here is yet another Wyatt Earp story, one that isn't anywhere near known as the others ("Wyatt Earp," "Tombstone," "My Darling Clementine," etc.)
None of the three top characters: James Garner as Earp, Jason Robards as "Doc Holliday" or Robert Ryan as "Ike Clanton" can match up to their best of their counterparts in other Earp films.....but together they were still pretty good and certainly three famous actors. The only one who might have been a little out of place was Robards, who played a little too subdued "Doc."
Still, the similarities are there in all the Earp movie versions including this one: the gunfight at the OK Corral, the courtroom trials, the train scene near the end, Holliday's illness, etc.
One thing missing from this is any love interest, which actually was nice to have left out for once.