Forty Guns **** (1957, Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sullivan, Dean Jagger, Gene Barry, John Ericson) – Classic Movie Review 5381

Writer/ producer/ director Samuel Fuller’s 1957 Western stars Barbara Stanwyck as ranch-owner, 40 armed-men-owner and queen of Arizona’s Cochise County, Jessica Drummond.

Stanwyck’s Jessica Drummond protects her wicked brother Brockie Drummond (John Ericson) against two marshal brothers, Griff and Wes Bonell (Barry Sullivan, Gene Barry), in this vicious, portentous action Western, excitingly directed by deserved cult name Fuller.

Forty Guns is an impressive piece, propelled by Stanwyck in her element, compelling co-star and support performances, Joseph F Biroc’s startling black and white CinemaScope cinematography, and Fuller’s inspired moving of his camera around to great visual effect.

This stylish film is great stuff in itself, it now has cult status, and was influential too. It was a favourite in Europe and an inspiration for Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Westerns.

Also in the cast are Dean Jagger as Sheriff Ned Logan, Eve Brent, Robert Dix, Jidge Carroll, Gerald Milton, Ziva Rodann, Hank Worden and Paul Dubov.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5381

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