Numerous films have used The Gunfighter as a title, but if you're looking for the film classic of that name, this is the one. Gregory Peck followed his powerful performance in Twelve O'Clock High (also for director Henry King) with an arguably even stronger portrayal: Jimmy Ringo, celebrated shootist just stepping into middle age and mortally weary of having to defend his legend every time he turns around. His trail takes him to a small town where an old comrade, Mark Strett (the great Millard Mitchell), now serves as marshal, and where Ringo's estranged wife and the son he has never seen also reside, under an assumed name. Over one night and one day, hoping against hope, he dares to dream of a normal life. But there are avengers not far behind, and other threats yet to be counted.

The Gunfighter

Great flick. Gregory Peck was outstanding as an aging gunfighter. Lots of other fine actors in it.

An Important Film in the History of the Genre

This 1950 Western was very influential in the history of the genre. Gregory Peck, waering a mustache for the first time onscreen, plays Jimmy Ringo, the gunfighter of the title. By the time we meet him, he's tired of always having to look over his shoulder for some young gun trying to make a name for himself. At the beginning of the movie, he's in a saloon where he's faced by a young Richard Jaeckel. Jaeckel wants to become the next Jimmy Ringo, and Ringo is forced to gun him down. He's got a wife and a son that he hasn't seen in a long time, and he's hoping to put his past behind him and settle down. But the past won't go away, and this movie ends as a tragedy. Peck is very believable as the world weary gunman who doesn't want the fame his prowess has brought him. In the years to come, other films would follow up on this theme. In the 1992 film "Unforgiven," Clint Eastwood plays an ex-gunman who also is unable to shake his past. An important film in the history of the genre.

Suspenseful Story of a Gunfighter Trying to Escape His Past

Gregory Peck is excellent as a former gang member with a legendary fast draw who tries desperately to escape his past and start life anew. This film is an interesting paralell to the modern "Unforgiven", in both films legends take a life of their own becoming bigger than the man. The total inability to rest in a town or to make a friend is the curse of the man that is feared by reputation alone as Peck now older and more mature seeks a simple life that seems to constantly elude him. Ringo is constantly challenged by young gunfighters wanting to make a reputation while also being pursued by unknown common individuals who are seeking revenge of a relative who may or may not have been killed by Ringo. Ringo now tries to return to his wife and son and dream of the normal mundane but happy life of a homesteader. It's a battle against time as everything comes to a point with Ringo finally reuniting with his family in a town where everyone knows his identity but his pursuers are closing in. The most piognant part of the film is when a simple ranch owner comes into the saloon for a drink and shares one with Johnny Ringo alone in the bar speaking to him as a regular guy as he talke about his modest ranch and family. The ranch owner is oblivious to the excitment in town and he is the only one unaware that he just shared a drink with the feared Johnny Ringo. Ringo appreciates the conversation and he inhales the man's story of a modest ranch and life and sets his own goal to relocate and reunite his family. The ending is both abrupt and surprising as this is one western that does not fit the mold as someone riding off into the sunset. This is an adult western full of drama with a fitting ending demonstrating the curse of misbegotten fame. Excellent stars, aside from Peck, Karl Malden also appears.