Rent Forty Guns (1957)

Classic Fuller. - Forty Guns review by Steve

Striking, ultra-stylish b&w western in CinemaScope. It recycles the principal theme of 1950s cowboy pictures; the coming of law to the old frontier. But Samuel Fuller (who wrote, produced and directed) brings originality, humour and imagination to the model. And his use of widescreen is impeccable.

The innuendo and slight trace of camp takes this a long way from John Ford. But so do the ostentatious visuals, like the pop art perspectives, expressionist flourishes and especially a five minute tracking shot right through the Twentieth Century Fox western standing set.

Barbara Stanwyck is a frontier matriarch who makes the law on her cattle ranch and the nearby settlement; backed by her rowdy cowhands, the 40 guns. Because might is right. Barry Sullivan is the old time lawman now working for the government who intends to arrest one of her men.

Both she and the hired gun are obsolete within their own lifetime. Stanwyck is ideal casting, though hardly so gorgeous that ballads are written about her; the woman with the whip. Fuller creates an abundance of dramatic tension. His rather scattershot innovation makes this unique among ‘50s westerns. 

No bullets - Forty Guns review by CW

Oh too bad. I thought this was going to be a “fun” western with Barbara Stanwyck as the high mucky muck, fastest rider, best shot, biggest land owner, head of a gang, fearless, strong woman. Not at all believable. Actors mostly sleep walking through their roles. I got bored and started watching on fast forward. Would stop when it looked interesting, but it wasn’t. Watched the end and was disappointed that she has now lost everything but yawn, that is okay, because now she is in love and as the stupid ballad in movie says...she is just a woman. Oh puhleeese. Give this a miss.