"Day of the Evil Gun" is the sort of western you probably wouldn't have seen before the 1960s. This is because the film is filled with a lot of non-heroes...folks who are just scum and no nice guys like you'd have found in earlier movies. Again and again, the two anti- heroes meet up with folks who end up being pretty much awful people...a true late 60s sort of plot, that's for sure.
When the film begins, Lorn (Glenn Ford) returns home after being absent for a couple months--only to find his homestead deserted. It seems the Apaches kidnapped his wife and kids and so he sets off to find them. A neighbor (Arthur Kennedy) insists on coming along...but Lorn is a tough guy and insists of doing it alone. Why would Owen insist on coming along and risking his life? This is something you'll have to learn through the course of this picture. To find the women, both men resort to being scum-bags themselves-- threatening folks and picking up clues as to the whereabouts of the three. And each time they stop to look for clues, they find folks who are just awful.
Overall, the film is enjoyable but a bit grim. Additionally, the rescue was AMAZINGLY easy--too easy. Fortunately, the film is redeemed with a terrific ending...after Lorn gives up his gun forever. Worth seeing but grim....
When the film begins, Lorn (Glenn Ford) returns home after being absent for a couple months--only to find his homestead deserted. It seems the Apaches kidnapped his wife and kids and so he sets off to find them. A neighbor (Arthur Kennedy) insists on coming along...but Lorn is a tough guy and insists of doing it alone. Why would Owen insist on coming along and risking his life? This is something you'll have to learn through the course of this picture. To find the women, both men resort to being scum-bags themselves-- threatening folks and picking up clues as to the whereabouts of the three. And each time they stop to look for clues, they find folks who are just awful.
Overall, the film is enjoyable but a bit grim. Additionally, the rescue was AMAZINGLY easy--too easy. Fortunately, the film is redeemed with a terrific ending...after Lorn gives up his gun forever. Worth seeing but grim....