*** This review may contain spoilers ***
*Plot and ending analyzed*
Fury at Showdown (1957) is a really reliable Western. I particularly liked that it was filmed in Black and White, and the introductory montage was singularly unique. You tend to see more out of the ordinary and interesting introductory montages on these smaller budget Westerns. See director R. G. Springsteen's Apache Uprising (1965) opening.
It is based on a pulp Western book, Showdown Creek (1956) by Lucas Todd.
Director Gerd Oswald, whom I know from The Outer Limits (1963 TV series), takes his time and does not rush through the scenes at all. This adds a bit of pressure and tension to the story. The locations are also very good. Certain to note, is that I perceived that this Western seems very lugubrious. I don't know if the director intended it that way, or the actors are all just emphasizing a gloomy world in which they all must live. Nonetheless, it is very interesting. Also to be mindful of, is the subtle acting from all actors involved, quite a few that I recognized from other Westerns.
John Derek as Brock Mitchell, plays a man who has used his gun in self-defense before, but gets stigmatized as a hot-headed gunslinger. He goes back to his hometown where Nick Adams as Tracy Mitchell, his younger brother, has maintained the family cow ranch.
They are expecting a signed and delivered deal from the railroad company to feed their workers. But they run into opposition from the brother of a man that John Derek as Brock Mitchell, had killed. He also hires a gunfighter as his personal guard, and they both go out of their way to impede or provoke the two brothers.
The bar fight with the two gunmen had some great body double stuntmen work. The fight even went out into the street and involved a horse carriage. Actor John Smith (Laramie (TV Series 1959-1963), who plays the gunfighter agitator and personal guard, reminds me a bit of actor Jack Palance in Shane (1953), who also played a hired gunfighter agitator. Although nowhere near the great presence that Jack Palance emitted in his role. Additionally, each character wore a two gun holster, creating a menacing presence in the form of both of the guns.
A nice Western, but it does come short in runtime at 75 minutes, and the lack of action may put off some more-demanding audience members.
*Plot and ending analyzed*
Fury at Showdown (1957) is a really reliable Western. I particularly liked that it was filmed in Black and White, and the introductory montage was singularly unique. You tend to see more out of the ordinary and interesting introductory montages on these smaller budget Westerns. See director R. G. Springsteen's Apache Uprising (1965) opening.
It is based on a pulp Western book, Showdown Creek (1956) by Lucas Todd.
Director Gerd Oswald, whom I know from The Outer Limits (1963 TV series), takes his time and does not rush through the scenes at all. This adds a bit of pressure and tension to the story. The locations are also very good. Certain to note, is that I perceived that this Western seems very lugubrious. I don't know if the director intended it that way, or the actors are all just emphasizing a gloomy world in which they all must live. Nonetheless, it is very interesting. Also to be mindful of, is the subtle acting from all actors involved, quite a few that I recognized from other Westerns.
John Derek as Brock Mitchell, plays a man who has used his gun in self-defense before, but gets stigmatized as a hot-headed gunslinger. He goes back to his hometown where Nick Adams as Tracy Mitchell, his younger brother, has maintained the family cow ranch.
They are expecting a signed and delivered deal from the railroad company to feed their workers. But they run into opposition from the brother of a man that John Derek as Brock Mitchell, had killed. He also hires a gunfighter as his personal guard, and they both go out of their way to impede or provoke the two brothers.
The bar fight with the two gunmen had some great body double stuntmen work. The fight even went out into the street and involved a horse carriage. Actor John Smith (Laramie (TV Series 1959-1963), who plays the gunfighter agitator and personal guard, reminds me a bit of actor Jack Palance in Shane (1953), who also played a hired gunfighter agitator. Although nowhere near the great presence that Jack Palance emitted in his role. Additionally, each character wore a two gun holster, creating a menacing presence in the form of both of the guns.
A nice Western, but it does come short in runtime at 75 minutes, and the lack of action may put off some more-demanding audience members.