Last Train from Gun Hill

Watching this was a tour to the land of nostalgia and an enjoyable one at that. This movie is really one of the god old classical Westerns telling the story of two brave men confronting each other. No special effects, no aliens, no choleric outbursts and no foul-mouthed brats.

It was really enjoyable to watch Kirk Douglas and Anthony Quinn in this movie. Both were well suited for their roles and I have always liked them as actors. Maybe this is just some nostalgic connection I have though since I am sure that their performance would not wind them any Oscars today.

The story is as classical as the movie. The young brat of a wealthy cattle owner gets himself in big trouble and said cattle owner tries to prevent him, being the only son,...

You're leaving' on the next train. I own the sheriff! I own this town! I own every man in it! You're leaving' on the next train, Matt!

Matt Morgan (Kirk Douglas) and Craig Belden (Anthony Quinn) are old friends who went on different career paths. Morgan is a law man, settled down with his Indian wife and had a son. Belden is a cattle baron and self appointed ruler of the town of Gun Hill. When Morgan's wife is raped and murdered, he follows the only clue available to him; one of Belden's saddles. At first he hopes that Belden's saddle had been stolen, but he quickly finds that the horrendous crime has been committed by Rick (Earl Holliman), Belden's son. But upon arresting Rick, Morgan finds that Belden, and the town under his control, ...

Mixes Gunfight at the O.K. Corral with 3:10 to Yuma

In Arizona, a justice-minded marshal (Kirk Douglas) apprehends the criminal son (Earl Holliman) of a big time rancher (Anthony Quinn) and is determined to take him back to his town via the 9:00 PM train. But the rancher & his cronies mean to stop it, whatever the cost. Carolyn Jones is on hand.

Directed by John Sturges, Last Train from Gun Hill (1959) is similar in tone to Sturges Gun Fight at the O.K. Corral mixed with elements of 3:10 to Yuma (both from 1957), but its not as good as either. Quinns character is exasperatingly oafish in that he refuses to hold his grossly foolish son accountable for rape/murder. The fact that the woman was an AmerIndian is irrelevant.

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Serviceable and entertaining western features some solid performances by Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn and Carolyn Jones. It has a thin and simple plot and the finale isn't terribly satisfying but ultimately thought it was good enough. 3.5/5