KnotStronger
This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.
Loui Blair
It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.
Marva
It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,
dukeakasmudge
There's not to much to say.Not a lot happens in Gun The Man Down & at times, it was boring.I mainly watched it because James Arness was in it but even with James Arness in it or not, I would've watched it anyway because the description sounded interesting.Maybe I'm just so use to him as Marshall Matt Dillon but I didn't buy James Arness as a bank robber looking to seek revenge on his partners who left him behind.I just didn't buy it at all.Before I watched the movie I read on IMDb that John Wayne's company Batjac Productions produced this movie so I was expecting something better or to at least like the movie but there was really nothing special about.It just felt like your normal, average, everyday Western.The main thing that stuck out about it for me was the shoot-out at the end.Not because it was good but because it was so dark out, you couldn't see a thing.I'd skip this Western if I were you.There's better Westerns out there you could be watching.If you're a James Arness fan then you might want to watch it but only then because you're a fan
classicsoncall
The first thing to note here is that James Arness is a bad guy. I don't believe I've seen him in any other pre-Gunsmoke Westerns, so his casting as an outlaw was a bit of a surprise. His was the lead role though, quite likely a favor from half brother John Wayne and his filming company, Batjac Productions. I'd say it was a pretty good team up.The film opens with an 'Introducing Angie Dickinson' credit, so that was another cool eye opener. She had an ambiguous role here as saloon gal Janice, in a romance with Rem Anderson (Arness), but forced to leave with Rem's gang members Matt Rankin (Robert Wilke) and Ralph Farley (Don Megowan) after a successful bank robbery left Rem severely wounded and unable to ride. If anything, the sticking point I have with the story is why wouldn't Jan just up and leave the pair of outlaws at some point instead of taking up with Rankin.What's cool about this Western is the subtle psychological angle offered by Anderson's patient hunt for the guys who betrayed him, and Gunther Wells Sheriff Morton's (Emile Meyer) laid back approach to waiting him out before stepping in to prevent lawlessness in his town. Again though, it's never explained how Rem Anderson achieved his fast draw status in order to take out hired gunslinger Billy Deal (Micheal Emmett). That's probably why the showdown was dealt with off screen, with the sheriff cleverly treating the five thousand dollar bounty paid by Rankin as community property.The other remaining head scratcher for this viewer had to do with how Rankin decided to use his robbery proceeds to open the Red Dog Saloon not very far away from Palace City where the original hold up took place. Seems like the outlaws should have been fingered by this time. Either way, I couldn't figure out how Rankin kept the saloon profitable with no customers; there was never anyone else in the place besides himself, Farley and Jan.Well by the time it's over, Rem Anderson is just about a good guy, coming full circle in his quest for revenge. It was probably a good idea for the story that he didn't have to make a decision about taking back his former gal Janice. That was already decided for him when Rankin shot her in the back!!! What a low down, dirty dog.
bsmith5552
"Gun the Man Down" is a rarely seen little 76 minute western starring James Arness, in his only starring theatrical western role. Produced by John Wayne's Batjac company and directed by Andrew V. McLaglan (his first), the film is a low budget black and white oater with good production values and a strong supporting cast.Three bank robbers Rem Anderson (Arness), Matt Rankin (Robert J. Wilke) and Farley (Don Megowin) return from a bank robbery where a teller was shot by Rankin and Rem wounded. With a posse in hot pursuit, Rankin and Farley decide to leave the wounded Anderson behind and flee taking with them Anderson's girl Janice (Angie Dickenson in her first film).Anderson is arrested and sent to prison. Fast forward one year and Anderson vows to track his former partners and girl down. He finds them in a dusty little one horse town where Rankin is running a saloon and has also taken up with Janice. He is met by town sheriff Morton (Emile Meyer) and his deputy Lee (Harry Carey Jr.).Anderson confronts Farley on the street and the two have knock down drag out fight. Morton meanwhile, becomes concerned and sends for gunfighter Billy Deal (Michael Emmet). Janice goes to Rem to try to explain but to no avail. Rem takes care of Deal. Morton and Farley decide to run for it and Janice reluctantly joins them. Rem sees them leave and..................................James Arness had been groomed by John Wayne having appeared in several of his films. When the opportunity came up for a TV series called "Gunsmoke", it was first offered to Wayne who recommended Arness for the role. Wayne even introduced Arness is the first episode and the rest as they say is history.Angie Dickenson shines in her first film as the good/bad saloon girl. This role is not unlike the one she played opposite Wayne in "Rio Bravo" (1959). Emile Meyer, always a dependable character actor, is probably best remembered for his role as "Ryker" the chief baddie in "Shane" (1953). Harry Carey Jr. appeared in several Wayne westerns and was the son of Harry Carey on whom I believe the role of sheriff Morton was based.Now was there ever a meaner looking bad guy than Bob Wilke. He appeared in dozens of westerns but is best remembered for the knife throwing scene in "The Magnificent Seven" (1960) with James Coburn.For big Jim, it was on to twenty years of the Long Branch Saloon and Miss Kitty.
ljlangham
I remember this movie from long ago & have read comments on it & must agree it is boring & predictable, however i would watch it again because i am a fan of James Arness & like nearly all western movies. It is rather comical that they were so cheap on the making of the film & that John Wayne produced the movie is most remarkable. James Arness I think did his best work on Gunsmoke anyway, & he was not destined to became a major movie star. I think with Angie Dickinson & Wilkes the other co-star that the movie could have been much better & should have had lots more western action in it. But alas it will be just another B western movie. Thank you
