Like many B westerns this opens with a bang; introducing the villain Jim Flood by showing him gunning down a handful of people and setting fire to the saloon before fleeing. The next day the townsfolk aren't impressed when rookie Texas Ranger Seven Jones turns up... wondering where the law was when they actually needed it. He then continues on to his first posting and is soon out tracking Flood along with experienced ranger Sgt. Henessey. As they track Flood it becomes clear that he is popular with the people in many towns he goes through. As they ride through the New Mexico desert Flood shoots and kills Henessey leaving Jones to hunt him alone.
Surprisingly Jones manages to catch him relatively easily; that is only half the task though; he must now get him back to Texas. Flood is determined not to go back and there are several other dangers to worry about including local bounty hunters, Apaches and the brother of the men Flood killed in the opening.
This was a fairly typical Audie Murphy western; if you are a fan of his work you are sure to enjoy it, if you aren't you probably won't. Personally I think Murphy does a great job in this sort of film; his character isn't overly macho but it doesn't seem unbelievable when he prevails over an apparently superior foe. Barry Sullivan made a fine villain; rather than being an obviously bad man he is actually quite a charmer, this made a nice change. There is enough action, mostly just shootouts though, so no spectacular horse-work. The scenery looks great with Utah filling in for the New Mexico desert. As for the title... Jones' full name is 'Seven Ways from Sundown Jones"; he is the seventh child and his siblings were similarly named although we only learn the names of One and Two!
Surprisingly Jones manages to catch him relatively easily; that is only half the task though; he must now get him back to Texas. Flood is determined not to go back and there are several other dangers to worry about including local bounty hunters, Apaches and the brother of the men Flood killed in the opening.
This was a fairly typical Audie Murphy western; if you are a fan of his work you are sure to enjoy it, if you aren't you probably won't. Personally I think Murphy does a great job in this sort of film; his character isn't overly macho but it doesn't seem unbelievable when he prevails over an apparently superior foe. Barry Sullivan made a fine villain; rather than being an obviously bad man he is actually quite a charmer, this made a nice change. There is enough action, mostly just shootouts though, so no spectacular horse-work. The scenery looks great with Utah filling in for the New Mexico desert. As for the title... Jones' full name is 'Seven Ways from Sundown Jones"; he is the seventh child and his siblings were similarly named although we only learn the names of One and Two!