Product Details

• Actors: Richard Widmark, Lena Horne, Carroll O'Connor, David Opatoshu, Kent Smith
• Directors: Alan Smithee, Don Siegel, Robert Totten
• Writers: Joseph Calvelli, Lewis B. Patten
• Producers: Richard E. Lyons
• Format: NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000665SN
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,913 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Western, April 22, 2003

By 

Kelli N. "snoops71" (Texas) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Death of a Gunfighter (1987) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have truly enjoyed watching "Death of a Gunfighter." I bought it online, and it was a good purchase. I've always liked watching a good western, and this is one. I highly recommend this movie- especially if you don't object to the interracial love affair between Frank and Claire. I think they make a great couple, and one of the movie's highlights is their wedding. My only regret is they don't get to live happily ever after, but it's fun watching them together for the duration of the movie. They have an ease with one another on the screen, and share a good chemistry between them.

"Death of a Gunfighter" was originally named "Patch," Richard Widmark's character's last name. The name of the film was later changed. This is the story of Frank Patch, sheriff of a small town in the early 1900s. He's been sheriff for 20 years, and after several deadly shootouts, with Patch being the lone survivor, the local townspeople are fed up with his methods of law and order, and want him out of office- no matter what. His only supporters are Dan, a good, loyal young man who is like a son to him, and Claire, his girlfriend of many years, played by Lena Horne, who is breathtakingly beautiful in this film. After more deaths, and more opposition, including from Lester, brilliantly played by Carroll O' Connor, a visit from old friend Lou, played by John Saxon, who also tries to convince him to give up the job, Frank marries Claire. Watch for the big showdown that takes place after their wedding...

I really like the cast of this movie. Widmark, Horne, and O' Connor I particularly enjoy watching, each lighting up the screen. It's also refreshing seeing Lena Horne in a dramatic, non-musical role, although she does sing "Sweet Apple Wine" at the beginning, and the end. Her acting skills shine, along with her grace and beauty. I've noticed a lot of her acting ability is non-verbal. She says a lot with her eyes. I can't picture anyone else in this role but her. Richard Widmark is great as tough-guy Patch. I love him in those strong, tough-guy parts.

The film was shot during the summer of 1968, and released a year later by Universal. This has become one of my favorite movies. Like I said before, I highly recommend it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Late 60's Western With A Great Cast, November 7, 2006

By 

Terence Allen (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Death of a Gunfighter (1987) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Death of A Gunfighter is a great example of the late 60's/ early 70's Western subgenre that overtook the genre during that time period. These films tended to be cynical in nature, and to either have as their focus anti-heroes who were nothing like the heroic, admirable heroes of traditional Westerns, or they would feature a traditional hero was found to be unfashionable or out-of-touch with modern times. These films often took place at the turn of the century when lightbulbs, automobiles and telephones were coming into fashion.

Death of A Gunfighter takes place during the turn of the century, and features a traditional virtuous Western hero in the person of veteran Western actor Richard Widmark. He plays Frank Patch, an old-style marshal in the town of Cottonwood Springs. Cottonwood Springs fancies itself as a progressive, up-and-coming town, except that is, for its outmoded law officer. When Patch has to kill a drunk gunning for him, he is asked to resign, he refuses, culminating in a spiralling sequence of events.

Widmark is great, and has a wonderful supporting cast behind him, including Lena Horne and Carroll O'Connor, and a bevy of great Western supporting actors, including Victor French, Royal Dano, Jacqueline Scott, and Morgan Woodward.

Death of A Gunfighter is a great film that typifies the times in which it was made.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Widmark Western!!!!!!!, July 17, 2006

By 

J. R Sategna (Martinez, California United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Death of a Gunfighter (1987) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

If you like Westerns with Richard Widmark--be sure to get this one. Great color and acting. He made this movie towards the end of his career but it sure does not show in the movie. Widmark plays the sheriff of a western town battling the new age of coming cars and other future changes. Lena Horn is great as his new wife and supports him against the town counsel who says he too violent to be the sheriff anymore after 20 yrs. They pin a murder wrap on him but he fights it off in his own way. What a great actor--if you love the westerns of the 50s,60s and the 70s--get this one --too bad it is not available on DVD-hope it will be soon. Search for this movie--I found it and I was not disappointed!!! Western lovers will love it!!!!!