garyldibert TITLE: GUNFIGHT OPENED IN THEATERS IN THE United States on August 25 1971 and it took 90 minutes to watch it. Gunfight starred Kirk Douglas as Wil, Johnny Cash as Abe, and Karen Black as Jenny.SUMMARY: A Gunfight was the first mainstream American film to be produced by an Indian tribe -- specifically, the Jicarilla Apaches of New Mexico. Kirk Douglas and Johnny Cash star as Will and Abe, two long-in... read more -tooth gunfighters with nary a dime between them. Although Will and Abe are fast friends, they agree to a winner-take-all showdown, selling tickets to the momentous event. The townspeople are certain that Will is going to win the shootout, but he knows that it would be a fatal mistake to underestimate Abe. Standing on the sidelines is Will's wife Nora (Jane Alexander), who seems curiously disinterested in the outcome, even though she may become a widow before the day is over. The movie opens with Abe riding through the countryside singing when a rattlesnake bites his horse. Abe cuts the horses leg and sucks the poison of out of the horse. After fixing the horse Abe goes to the nearest town to get him fix. When Abe enters the town, some of the people recognize him as Abe Cross the gunfighter. Also leaving in the town is ex gunfighter Wil Tenneray with his wife and son. Wil works at the local saloon to support his family. While walking around town people start to wonder will Wil and Abe fight each other.QUESTIONS: How did Wil get his reputation? How did Abe get his reputation? Who was Jenny? What part did Jenny play in this movie? Did the gunfight take place? If so where? MY THOUGHTS: This was another movie that had a great build up and only to have fall on its face. This movie had no build up and it was boring right from the start. Sure Kirk Douglas was good in his role as Wil. Johnny Cash was just as good in his role as Abe. Karen Black talents and pretty body was wasted in this movie. She played the role as a bar house cleaner and her talents were missed used in this movie. I would give this movie 0 weasel stars but that not allowed so I have to give it 1 weasel star even if it doesn't deserve it.

merklekranz "A Gunfight" seems very tame and watered down when compared to an above average "spaghetti western" like "The Big Gundown". The problem is not the acting by Kirk Douglas and Johnny Cash. The problem is the script telegraphs everything early on, and then it is simply a matter of waiting another hour for the inevitable gunfight. A double outcome ending seems like nothing more than a cop out, to ensure a plain vanilla conclusion. The subplots, especially the infidelity of Douglas's wife with the shop keeper, are beaten to death. In summary, "A Gunfight" might be totally acceptable to fans of Johnny Cash and Kirk Douglas, but those fans of brutal Lee Van Cleef - Clint Eastwood westerns will most likely be disappointed. - MERK

theycallmepauly As one of Cash's most ardent music fans, I have unfortunately almost always been disappointed with his performances on the silver screen. His films are usually poorly written, shot, edited (which you can almost always blame the director.) This one, I was almost thrown out of my chair. Though Cash was not a disciplined actor he had his charisma, and the director, for all his faults recognized this and seemed less inclined to dictate him and just let The Man say his lines the way Cash himself would say them. Though this film is not for everyone, those who appreciate westerns and those especially inclined towards the late, great Man In Black will appreciate it. If given the choice, I recommend the 1989 re-release on VHS titled "Dueling Guns."

wilkiecollins The old shooting times are over, the gunfighters are just a live legend - perhaps only a curiosity - for borrachos and mean people. Unable to fit into the new times, all they can do is killing each other, to feed their own legend or to be buried with it. In this complex, sober, highly undervalued movie, Douglas (the real one, not Michael) and Cash accomplish with their destiny, it does not matter who will be the winner, who will be the loser: both are doomed and they know it. But they are not the worst in town: this role is left to the bloodthirsty people who do not even have the guts to run personally the risk but enjoy the killing. Too late they realize what they have caused and supported, ant silence fall on them. But the'll forget, and next time it will happen again.