FORTY GUNS
US, 1957, 79 minutes, Black and white.
Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sullivan, Dean Jagger, John Ericson, Gene Barry.
Directed by Samuel Fuller.
Forty Guns was written, produced and directed by Samuel Fuller. Fuller had emerged in the late 40s with some tough films which continued into the 50s, with films like Pick up on South Street. He was to continue making films, always noted as tough, but his main film was the 1980 The Big Red One, a saga of World War I and World War II.
Barbara Stanwyck, aged 50 while making the film, gives another of her very strong performances, a woman usually in control. She had appeared with co-star, Barry Sullivan, two years earlier in The Maverick Queen. John Ericson had been a character star at MGM and he portrays a violent and self-centred brother of Barbara Stanwyck. Dean Jagger has an interesting role as a weak sheriff with an infatuation for Stanwyck.
Forty Guns was made in Cinemascope with black and white photography, often striking, especially with the riding of Stanwyck and the Dragoon of 40 men at the beginning of the film. He also uses some cinematic effects, like showing the blurred vision of the Marshall of the town as well as the close-up of the young woman of the town as Gene Barry looks through the barrel of a gun.
1. Considered a cult western? The work of Samuel Fuller? During the 1950s, tough and strong films, westerns? His perspective on America? His visual talent?
2. Black-and-white photography, the town, the ranch, the interiors, the countryside, the feel of the West? The musical score, the songs: The Woman with Whip, In God’s Hands?
3. The title, the 40 gunfighters, working the Jessica Drummond, the introduction, riding two by two through the countryside, the disturbance of Griff and his horses? At the table for the dinner?
4. Griff, his mission, bounty hunter, arrests, not killing anyone for 10 years? Travelling with his brothers, Wes and Chigo? Second and third guns? His control, arrival, the encounter with the Marshall, his bad eyes, his being shot? Griff and his distinctive walk through the town, confronting Brocky, Wes and his shot?
5. The town, the Marshall, the Sheriff and his being weak, controlled by Jessica Drummond, Brocky and his friends shooting up the town? People afraid? The Sheriff, the relationship with the government, taxes and deals? His presence at the dinner? Helping Brocky? His declaration of love for Jessica, the confrontation, hanging himself?
6. Jessica as a Barbara Stanwyck character? The father, inheriting the ranch, the deals, the government, taxes, cattle, her being in command? Her 40 guns, Dragoon? Shielding Brocky? The attraction to Griff, the dinner, the flirtatious talk? Brocky and his being in jail, her being taken by him as hostage? In the street? His death? The corrupt deputy among her 40, allowing him to be taken, his being shot? The attraction to Griff, the connection, her fall from her horse and being dragged, in the barn during the storm?
7. Wes, quiet, with Griff and Chigo, shooting on behalf of Griff? Attracted to the girl, her fixing guns? The wedding? Griff and’s kiss, Wes being shot, his death, the funeral, his wife’s grief? The visit from Jessica?
8. Griff putting Chigo on the stage, his getting off, not wanting to farm, his return, shooting Brocky?
9. Griff and his decision to leave, Jessica running after the wagon?
10. A distinctive and different western?
