Gunpoint (1966) starring Audie Murphy, Joan Staley, Morgan Woodward, Warren Stevens, Edgar Buchanan, Denver Pyle, David Macklin, Nick Dennis, Royal Dano directed by Earl Bellamy Movie Review

Gunpoint (1966)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Audie Murphy in Gunpoint (1966)

Another Audie Oater

Colorado 1880, whilst outlaw Drago (Morgan Woodward - The Gun Hawk) and his gang are constantly causing trouble sheriff Chad Lucas (Audie Murphy - Arizona Raiders) is constantly trying to prevent it. When Chad suspects a train robbery is going down he plans to intervene but is unaware that his resentful deputy Cap Hold (Denver Pyle) is secretly in league with Drago and shoots him from behind. Later on in town Drago not only kills a man but kidnaps dancer Uvalde (Joan Staley). Injured Chad gets together a posse including Uvalde's fiancé, Nate Harlan (Warren Stevens), Cap Hold and a young kid. Their search sees them not only deal with various troubles including Indians as they head into New Mexico and out of Chad's jurisdiction but also conflict as Nate realises that Chad and Uvalde were once lovers.

I suppose I should say spoiler alert but it almost seems pointless when you are talking about an old Audie Murphy western or in truth 90% of westerns which came out during the 60s. Heck even Audie Murphy once said of this western that it was the same old story so it doesn't take a genius to realise how "Gunpoint" plays out with the posse getting smaller as they get further on in their trek until only one man is left standing and he of course not only gets the money but also the girl.

Morgan Woodward in Gunpoint (1966)

As such "Gunpoint" is nothing but a stereotypical Audie Murphy western from the 1960s which is entertaining enough if you are fan of the western star but offers little for those looking for some gritty, exciting western action. And as such we also have a typical and in truth forgettable performance from Audie Murphy as the good guy who never gives up till he gets justice. What is the most surprising thing about Murphy in "Gunpoint" is that he was still delivering solid performances which must have been difficult when for well over a decade he had been making one western after another always playing the same sort of character. Aside from Audie Murphy "Gunpoint" also features Joan Stanley and Morgan Woodward both delivering solid performances but like Murphy saddled with a cliche forgettable character.

Cliche is the word to describe "Gunpoint" as a whole because whilst there are some nice scenic shots which take in some natural sights such as a baked desert floor as well as old ruins in Mexico nothing about it stands out. The closest it comes to standing out is an early scene where a train smashes through a water tower but it is only a brief standout moment in an other wise ordinary western.

What this all boils down to is "Gunpoint" has some appeal if you are a fan of Audie Murphy but beyond that it is only a stereotypical 1960's western which has that feel of just being part of the western production line rather than a movie made because someone thought the story would be great.


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