SEVEN WAYS FROM SUNDOWN
US, 1960, 80 minutes, Colour.
Audie Murphy, Barry Sullivan, Venutia Stevenson, John Mc Intyre, Kenneth Tobey.
Directed by Harry Keller.
Seven Ways from Sundown was adapted from his novel by western writer Clair Huffaker. It was his first cinema screenplay and he went on to write many others including Rio Concho, Comancheros, Posse from Hell.
The film is a strong Audie Murphy western, similar to all those he made during the 1960s at Universal. They were brief, had good locations, created an atmosphere of the west, had a struggle between good and evil. In this film the evil is more ambiguous. Veteran actor Barry Sullivan plays Jim Flood, a gentleman outlaw in the west, wanting to live the good life, charming but ruthless. Audie Murphy plays a rookie Texas Ranger who is sent out to bring Flood in along with John Mc Intyre as a sergeant. The film is something of a two-hander between Audie Murphy and Barry Sullivan as they travel from Arizona back to Texas. There is some action with Indians as well as bounty hunters. Kenneth Tobey portrays the Texas Ranger lieutenant who has his own secret, cowardice and not protecting Audie Murphy’s brother who was killed by Sullivan.
This film is considered one of Audie Murphy’s best westerns.
1. An enjoyable western? Interesting? The atmosphere of the west, the Texas Rangers, outlaws?
2. The location photography, the emphasis on the mountains, the desert? The western towns, the saloons, the gunfights in the streets? The musical score?
3. The title, Audie Murphy’s name? His brothers and their number names? The facetious remarks made about his name?
4. The introduction to Jim Flood, the shootings in the saloon, his setting fire to it? His escape? His reputation? The Texas Rangers tracking him down? Jones and Hennessy and their pursuit? Hennessy explaining the background to Flood’s personality? His being killed? Flood continuing on, the interlude with the little boy fishing, the chat, giving him the knife? The warning against following him? Jones catching up with him? Their interactions? Flood and his charm, talk? His being wounded? Jones looking after him? Talk, meals, playing cards? Flood trying to outwit Jones? His failing? Jones taking him in, the journey? The confrontation with the bounty hunters? With the wagon? Flood finally taken in, in the jail, the deal with Herley, the threat to expose his cowardice? The accidental shooting of Joy? His return, the final confrontation with Jones, inviting him to come and be an outlaw? Pulling the gun, failing?
5. Seven ways from Sundown Jones, age, his brothers, the calling to the Rangers, the death of his brother? Coming into town, the threats? His finding the post, the discussions with Herley, meeting Mrs Carrington and Joy? The meal? The attraction? The night, Joy talking with him, not wanting him to leave? His going with Hennessy, the guns, skill with a rifle? Learning how to handle a revolver? Hennessy and his explanations of Flood? Hennessy’s death, burial? Jones going on, shooting Flood? Tending to him, the meals, the talk, serious-minded? The battle of wits? The card games? The morning, his being knocked out, his knocking Flood out, taking him? The confrontation with the Indians, the shooting? The bounty hunter in the town, shooting the bounty hunter? The wagon, supplies, the shootout? Finally bringing Flood to town, the people’s admiration? Joy and her welcoming him? Her being shot, Jones’s upset, the return of Flood, the final talk, dedication? Death?
6. Hennessy, tough Texas Ranger sergeant, friendship with the Carringtons? Going to the town, the saloon girl, getting the information about Flood’s direction? Not following it? Shrewdness, his death? Flood’s tribute to Hennessy saving his life from the Indians?
7. Herley, bureaucrat, sending Hennessy and Jones out? Motivation? The revelation about his cowardice? His letting Flood go from the jail?
8. People in the western town, Mrs Carrington and her meals, Joy, the attraction? The ordinary people, the doctors? The saloons and the gambling, the girls? The atmosphere of Texas?
