There are no dance hall girls, barroom brawls, supporting characters supplying comic relief and no starry-eyed heroine for the hero in HOUR OF THE GUN, a good, solid western that maintains interest throughout its running time while avoiding all the usual western clichés.
But since it's a tale of vendetta, there are plenty of shootouts with bad guys and JAMES GARNER has a fine time disposing of a batch of ornery guys, killers and robbers who deserve to bite the dust. He's fine as Wyatt Earp, playing the role with a serious demeanor, never once cracking a smile, as he and his sidekick, Doc Holliday (JASON ROBARDS, JR.) decide to take matters into their own hands when it comes to exacting justice for the death of his younger brothers.
Filmed in color, the scenery is beautifully photographed and there's an interesting Jerry Goldsmith score that accompanies all of the action and suspense without being too obtrusive. JON VOIGT makes his film debut as a member of the Clanton gang and ROBERT RYAN is the leader of that gang responsible for most of the killings.
John Sturges directed from a concise script by Edward Anhalt and he makes the most of the Mexican locations.
Summing up: Sturdy western is enjoyable and deserves appreciation by a wider audience.
But since it's a tale of vendetta, there are plenty of shootouts with bad guys and JAMES GARNER has a fine time disposing of a batch of ornery guys, killers and robbers who deserve to bite the dust. He's fine as Wyatt Earp, playing the role with a serious demeanor, never once cracking a smile, as he and his sidekick, Doc Holliday (JASON ROBARDS, JR.) decide to take matters into their own hands when it comes to exacting justice for the death of his younger brothers.
Filmed in color, the scenery is beautifully photographed and there's an interesting Jerry Goldsmith score that accompanies all of the action and suspense without being too obtrusive. JON VOIGT makes his film debut as a member of the Clanton gang and ROBERT RYAN is the leader of that gang responsible for most of the killings.
John Sturges directed from a concise script by Edward Anhalt and he makes the most of the Mexican locations.
Summing up: Sturdy western is enjoyable and deserves appreciation by a wider audience.