GUN FURY

US, 1953, 80 minutes, Colour.
Rock Hudson, Donna Reed, Phil Carey, Lee Marvin, Neville Brand.
Directed by Raoul Walsh.

Gun Fury is a brief western, entertaining if its material is very familiar. However, it is of interest because of its direction by veteran Raoul Walsh, because of its stars Rock Hudson at the beginning of his career, Donna Reed, a sinister Phil Carey - and with such actors as Neville Brand and Lee Marvin in support.

It is a post-Civil War thriller, a vengeance journey and a shoot-out. Familiar ingredients - but competently done and highlighting the themes of the West.

1. The popularity of the western? Its portrayal of the 19th century? Law and order, greed, violence, vengeance? Summed up in the film's title?

2. Location photography, the open plains, the towns, stagecoach, the mountains and shoot-outs? The musical score?

3. The familiarity of the plot - the enmities after the Civil War, the stagecoaches and the gold robberies? The landowners and their hopes? The young hero and his bride-to-be and the villains intruding into their life? Brutality? Indians? Spanish-speaking Indians? The journey, the trek for vengeance? The shoot-out? The meaning of these episodes in the American heritage?

4. Rock Hudson as hero? Ben Warren and his prospects in California, coming to meet his-bride-to-be, the treatment by Slater, the stagecoach robbery, the capture of Jennifer, his pursuing Slater, his freeing Burgess, their being joined by the vengeful Indian, the refusal of townspeople to help, the sheriff refusing to give a posse, Estella Morales helping, the trekking through the terrain, the finding of Slater, the shoot-out and the happy ending?

5. Jennifer as a strong personality, the trip in the coach, Slater's attentions, Burgess's help, warning them not to go on the coach, the robbery, her being taken by Slater, his brutal treatment of her, suggestion of rape? Her participation in the journey, her attempts to escape, the rescue? Reconciliation?

6. Slater as villain, the Southern gentleman turned looter, his men, the attentions on Jennifer, the robbery, his taking her, brutality, the vengeance against Burgess and leaving him to die, his relationship with his men, the plans to lure Burgess, the journey and the tracking, the Indian vengeance, his death?

7. Burgess as the gunman, his wanting to help Jennifer, the vengeance taken by Slater, the rescue by Ben, his helping in the journey, the confrontation?


8. The Indian themes, the abuse of Indians by whites, Estella and her treatment by Slater? An atmosphere of vengeance?

9. Their group of riders and gunfighters, their loyalty to Slater, the questions of law and order?

10. The popularity of this kind of western over the decades? Americans mirroring their heritage?