Last Train from Gun Hill (1959)
Director: John Sturges
Starring: Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, Carolyn Jones
Synopsis:
A marshal brings to justice a rancher's son who raped and murdered his wife. The murderer's father is an old friend, who will stop at nothing to get him back.
Impressions:
I caught the end of this one day and found it really compelling, so I took the first opportunity to go back and watch it all the way through. The storyline is solid enough, but what really sells it is the characters and the strong performances behind them. You've got Kirk Douglas as Marshal Morgan, tenuously holding justice ahead of vengeance even while both set him against his friend. Anthony Quinn brings his usual intensity to the role of Craig, a rough man whose sole redeeming features are his friendship with Morgan and his dedication to his son (craven scumbag that he is). Then there's Carolyn Jones as Craig's fed-up mistress, whose cynicism can't hold out in light of the situation. A fan of Westerns, the principal cast and/or solid character drama has every reason to see this. Another fine film by John Sturges. Give it a watch.
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