Gun the Man Down [DVD]

If you enjoy old school American values of western conflicted justified revenge, the hunt down for greedy self-centered betrayers, and the simple ultimate resolution for wrongs committed against a friend and partner, then Gun The Man Down(1956) is a pretty good movie for you. It stars the great James Arness, Angie Dickinson(debut role and a great beauty)Robert Wilkie,Don Megowan and Harry Carey,Jr. Arness,Wilke, and Megowan appear again together a few years later in a wonderful GUNSMOKE episode called "BIG TOM". This movie's screenplay is by Burt Kennedy. The Director is Andrew Mclaglen. The movie was made by Batjac Productions,which was owned by John Wayne and family. The Executive producer was Robert E. Morrison( Wayne's real last name).Also there are several character actors in the cast who appeared with John Wayne in RIO BRAVO,1959,(especially Dickinson). With McLaglen's guiding hand,the movie supports Arness' character Rem Anderson in a sympathetic manner his participating in a big bank robbery. Although Arness was playing a bandit and gunslinger, you can see the fine touches of the decency, integrity and fairplay ethics of Matt Dillon that many of us admire in the character evolve.This story could be an excellent backstory for how Matt Dillon became a lawman and answer questions about how he came to be as he was, the GUNSMOKE Radio Series, not withstanding. The movie debuted in 1956 and GUNSMOKE debuted on television in 1955,with that famous introduction of James Arness by John Wayne. The movie may have been in the can and they may waited until after Gunsmoke had been on for awhile prior to its release, just speculation. In the movie you do see that Rem is riding a similar looking horse to the one that Matt rides, and during the second half of the movie Rem is dressed like Marshal Dillon,six-gun and all. Those of us who grew up with James Arness came to believe that he was Matt Dillon and we love the show because of the stories, scripts,writers,actors,and wonderful directors like Andrew Mclaglen,Harry Harris,Jesse Hibbs,Sam Peckinpah and the producers maintained the continuity of characters for over 20 years.I recently ordered this movie from Amazon and I thoroughly enjoyed it.it is a minor classic.

Liked this movie very much. Nice seeing James Arness in a movie other than just the TV series Gunsmoke.

This role is a departure for James Arness and bears no resemblance to his Matt Dillion Character. He plays an outlaw in love with Angie Dickinson (who isn't?). He is shot during a robbery and is deserted by his two partners and Dickinson. He is caught by the authorities and won't give up the other members of the gang. He is sent to prison and when he gets out he goes after the other members of the gang who got away with the money. The story gets really interesting when he arrives in the town where they now run a saloon. Two of the gang members wind up dead and not by Arness' hand. He captures the third and turns him over to the local sheriff. The most interesting part of the film for me is the changes that Arness' character goes through during the film. He turns out to be a really good guy. I love James Arness and if you do then this Western is a must have for your collection. I give this my highest recommendation.

James Arness begins the movie as part of a hold up gang, gets caught and does time in prison. He gets out and goes hunting for the rest of his gang to even the score. Angie Dickinson was one of the gang and is in the center of the action as things build up to an expected shoot out near the end. Well done!

A different role for James Arness. But a great movie. I have always been a fan of gunsmoke and James Arness. A must see movie.

James Arness in a very different role. The story is good, the acting is solid. I highly recommend this for any Arness fan. Just remember, this is not the Arness we all know and love from Gunsmoke or How the West Was Won. He is however, excellent in the part. The story is in black and white so, no color. Interesting thing, I believe the horse he uses in this movie is the same horse he uses in Gunsmoke. If not, they are very similar.Ralph J. Fitcher

At 74 minutes this late 50's B western is still amazingly bloated with too much ...of nothing. This could have been cut down to 50minutes and played on TV and still would have been cliche riddled and boring but acceptable. James Arness is pretty wooden...the villians and plot are a complete cliche and the ONLY reason to watch is to see "and introducing Angie Dickinson" who out acts everyone else in the movie. The Director Andrew Mclaglen, developed into a pretty good one and that was one of the reasons I gave this a try. Save your 10 bucks and put it towards a Rawhide season set or even a Gunsmoke if that's your taste...this isn't worth your time.I rarely write negative reviews...but I figure there are many out there like me curious because of the talent level and being a John Wayne production ...but its truly B or C level.

Even though I am a die-hard Western fan, I had never heard of this oater. What a treat it was to see how well done this movie was. While there's nothing original about the plot, the screenplay and acting are more than enough to keep you glued to the screen. Highly recommended. The seller delivered promptly and at a reasonable price.

I was happy with my purchase. No problems at all!

I'm a big James Arness fan and I bought this dvd for that reason. He did well and so did the other actors but the quality of the dvd was very dark, at times you could not see the screen. Maybe my dvd player wasn't set right, hopefully that is the reason.

good addition to my James Arness collection