Death of a Gunfighter
Death of a Gunfighter is a 1969 American Western film directed by Robert Totten and Don Siegel. It stars Richard Widmark and Lena Horne and features an original score by Oliver Nelson. The theme of the film is the "passing" of the West, the clash between a traditional character and the politics and demands of modern society. The film direction is credited to Allen Smithee, a pseudonym that has subsequently been used by directors who do not wish to be credited for their film.
Plot
In the town of Cottonwood Springs, Texas at the turn of the century, Marshal Frank Patch is an Old West style lawman in a community determined to move beyond its rough past into the 20th century. When Patch kills drunken Luke Mills in self-defense, the town council decides it is time for the marshal to retire so that a modern police force can be established in the town. Patch refuses, reminding the citizens that when he took the job, the agreement was he could have it as long as he wanted- and he still wanted the job. Afraid of Patch because of his violent nature and his knowledge of their misdeeds in the town's wilder days, the city fathers then enlist the aid of the county sheriff (a Patch protege and friend) to oust him. Patch rebuffs this attempt and the sheriff backs off, bowing out of the dispute. This leads some of the more outspoken councilmen to consider having Patch murdered.
More details
| author | Lewis B. Patten |
|---|---|
| contentLocation | Texas |
| director | Don Siegel Robert Totten |
| editor | Robert F. Shugrue |
| genre | western |
| keywords | 20th century bow brothel madam church dead man grown son kill meet murder old west plot to kill police force saloon owner slap spring town marshal trap turn of the century want wound |
| musicBy | Oliver Nelson |
| producer | Richard E. Lyons |
| productionCompany | Universal Pictures |
| publisher | Universal Pictures |