Search - The Man with the Gun on DVD

A major Mitchum masterpiece.

darragh o'donoghue | 08/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There should be a sub-genre in the Western called 'the Robert Mitchum Western'. Mitchum's brilliant, idiosyncratic, usually undervalued Westerns import his film noir persona to etch some compellingly dark character studies, and bring an elegiac world-weariness prefiguring the films of Sam Peckinpah. 'Man with the gun' is one of his best. Directed by Orson Welles protege Richard Wison, it is a stark, monochrome beauty, full of chilling silhouettes and terrifying outbursts of savage violence, as Mitchum comes to tame a town terrorised by a monopolist with a private army. Mitchum's regression from soft-spoken stranger to deranged murderer, with a host of dark emotions in between, is a marvel of expressive, physical acting."

Mitchum's Best Western

Terence Allen | Atlanta, GA USA | 02/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Robert Mitchum was definitely in his element making Westerns, and this is his best work in this genre. In Man With The Gun, he plays Clint Tollinger, a town tamer (a gunfighter who is hired by townspeople to drive out, or in most cases, kill off the bad element to clean up the town) who happens into a town desperately in need of his services. He's there to see his ex-wife, trying to find out how their little girl is doing. He's hired by the town to clean up, but his relationship with his wife complicates his job, and revelations impair his judgment. Mitchum is outstanding, with great support from the likes of Jan Sterling, Ted de Corsia, Leo Gordon, and Claude Akins. If you're a fan of westerns and/or Robert Mitchum, this film is a must-see."

TOWN TAMER'S LAST TOWN TO TAME

Kay's Husband | Virginia, U.S.A. | 11/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"

Watched this older western on Encore Western Channel recently having never heard of the film before, and can positively state, as a fan of both book and movie westerns, that this is a very enjoyable movie. A hallmark of this film is the performance of Jan Sterling, a very under recognized actress, while many other recognizable actors show up in this oat-burner, too. Just love these classic old black and white westerns with their simplistic 'black and white', good versus evil plots.

Most movies in which Bob Mitchum appeared are always watchable, and he seemed as someone you could have had known personally. He also seemed so relaxed making these movies yet I've read he was a true professional always ready to face the camera. And as this movie shows, he has come a long way from those heavy roles in the 1940's Hopalong Cassidy movies. Especially as the heroic lawman trying simultaneously to save a town from itself and a grasping villian. As imagined, he is a man working alone, with few friends to watch his back.

If you enjoy westerns this is certainly a film you will want to view. I now have it on tape and can watch it whenever moved to do so. Don't miss this one pardner, you just might regret it.

Addendum April,2008: Recently learned this movie will be released on DVD early summer, July/August, 2008. Much better than a VHS tape from Encore Westerns, already have mine on order!

Semper Fi."

Big Bad Bob Mitchum ...again!

Richardson | Sunny California USA | 05/31/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bob Mitchum swaggers through another movie with his usual effortless authenticity that "method" actors could aspire to but never attain. I can't say enough about this mans ease in front of a camera and ability to sell me ANY part he ever played....and this is no exception. It IS an exceptionally well made (camera work by Lee Garmes and Score by Alex North)50s western and very enjoyable. Angie Dickenson's small roll as a saloon girl will be seen by sharp eyes and speaking of sharp...Karen Sharpe is quite beautiful in an early roll...while Claude Akins was already working on his "second Thug from the left"in this one. Beautiful black and white film...
enjoy!"