A Few Words About A few words about…™ The Gunfighter – in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

Take an even cursory glance at the credits behind Fox’s 1950 The Gunfighter, and any cinephile worth their salt will know they’re in for a treat.
Directed by Henry King.
Mr. King began his career as an actor 107 years ago, and did a bit of directing in 1915. While most folks may not know his early credits, things get interesting in 1926 with The Winning of Barbara Worth, for Goldwyn, a Ronald Colman starrer, with a young actor named Cooper.
He became a staple at Fox – State Fair (1933), Ramona and Lloyds of London (1936), Seventh Heaven (1937), In Old Chicago and Alexander’s Ragtime Band (1938). Stanley and Livingston, and Jesse James, in Technicolor (1939), Maryland and Chad Hanna, both in Technicolor (1940), A Yank in the R.A.F. (1941), The Black Swan, more Technicolor (1942), The Song of Bernadette (1943), Wilson, Technicolor (1944), A Bell for Adano (1945), Margie, Technicolor (1946), Captain from Castile, Technicolor (1947, Twelve O’Clock High, with Gregory Peck (1949), and...

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[Robert Crawford]

Not just a great western, but a great film! My BD should be shipping shipped from Criterion this week.

 

[dpippel]

I've never seen this film, and am really looking forward to watching it!

 

[Dan Cooper]

I will pick this up in november at barnes and noble. This and sergeant york were my most anticipated releases of the year in a year full of big big releases. I have the columbia 4k classic collection, back to the future 4k collection, Alfred hitchcock 4k collection, Waterloo Bridge and the mortal storm blu rays to keep me busy until then.

 

[Dan Cooper]

For image of 4.5, just curious what was it with image that dropped it down a little for you as compared to a 5 like sergeant york got? A duplicate negative sounds better to me than no negative as in sergeant York.

 

[Robert Harris]

For image of 4.5, just curious what was it with image that dropped it down a little for you as compared to a 5 like sergeant york got? A duplicate negative sounds better to me than no negative as in sergeant York.

Shadow detail generally. Main and Ends and all dupes are now fifth generation.

 

[Randal Gist]

I just ordered this on the Criterion Flash-Sale this week. The Gunfighter is a great film. My DVD copy isn't bad, but Mr. Harris's review makes me doubly glad to be getting a major upgrade.

 

[HawksFord]

I picked this up during the flash sale and we watched it last night. I'd seen it multiple times including just a few months ago, but it holds up well to multiple viewings. A great story and a great performance from Gregory Peck.

 

[dpippel]

I watched The Gunfighter for the first time two days ago. What a great film! Peck and the entire cast are very, very good, and the unconventional story resonates. A worthy addition to my westerns library!

 

[Adam Gregorich]

After being privately chastised by @Robert Harris for never having seen The Gunfighter - I finally had a rainy weekend where I was able to watch it. As Doug said it was a worthy addition to my westerns library. I really enjoyed it.

 

[Robert Crawford]

After being privately chastised by @Robert Harris for never having seen The Gunfighter - I finally had a rainy weekend where I was able to watch it. As Doug said it was a worthy addition to my westerns library. I really enjoyed it.

A great job by RAH. I'll be watching my Criterion Blu-ray again in the near future as I work myself through my all-time 100 favorite westerns. A senior moment as I already watched my Criterion Blu-ray again back in May.

 

[Matt Hough]

Yep, one of my all-time favorites.

 

[Nick*Z]

An extraordinary achievement from a studio with plenty to boast about. But even so, The Gunfighter towers among most of the studio's 'A' list efforts. An im'Peck'able performance from cinema's masterful 'everyman' and gorgeous cinematography that, alas, still continues to lag thanks to Fox's own shortsightedness decades ago. Only fifth generation and dupe negatives for a movie as great as this?!? For shame!

 

[Robert Harris]

An extraordinary achievement from a studio with plenty to boast about. But even so, The Gunfighter towers among most of the studio's 'A' list efforts. An im'Peck'able performance from cinema's masterful 'everyman' and gorgeous cinematography that, alas, still continues to lag thanks to Fox's own shortsightedness decades ago. Only fifth generation and dupe negatives for a movie as great as this?!? For shame!

There should be a fine grain, ie G2.

Years ago, I had a bit of time with Mr. Peck, one of the true gentleman in the field, and after getting a few tech questions out of the way, a brief chat about his work. He actually asked what I thought was his best.

I averred that aside from Mockingbird, it was The Gunfighter. He smiled.

Seems he didn’t even need color film, large format, or 3D.

 

[RMajidi]

There should be a fine grain, ie G2.

Years ago, I had a bit of time with Mr. Peck, one of the true gentleman in the field, and after getting a few tech questions out of the way, a brief chat about his work. He actually asked what I thought was his best.

I averred that aside from Mockingbird, it was The Gunfighter. He smiled.

Seems he didn’t even need color film, large format, or 3D.

I love this film very much and I think Gregory Peck gives a fine performance.

It may or may not be the first of many “Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in” storylines.

I find Mr Peck’s personal bearing so refined and dignified that I can’t imagine him at any point in his younger days as a cocky, crooked gunslinger bent on being the best in the business.

That’s not to say that he can’t play superbly against type, as I thought his portrayal of Josef Mengele in The Boys From Brazil was chillingly convincing.

Nonetheless, while I can’t see anything in his characterisation of Jimmy Ringo that hints at him ever having been the youngster the backstory tries to paint, I have always loved this movie greatly.