Review of Invitation to a Gunfighter (1964) by Zack B — 27 May 2009

Yul Brynner plays a Creole gunslinger who stops over in the western town of Pecos and accepts $500 to kill former Confederate soldier Matt Weaver (George Segal of THE DUCHESS AND THE DIRTWATER FOX) after Weaver has killed the man who is living in his farm.

The entire population of this remote New Mexican town stands against Weaver. Pat Hingle plays the town's most promienent citizen who stole Weaver's ranch after Weaver went off to fight in the Civil War.

Brynner reunites briefly with his MAGNIFICENT SEVEN co-star Brad Dexter in a thankless role as a stablekeeper. Director Richard Wilson and his wife Elizabeth wrote this offbeat, race oriented western that is more moody and loqacious than it needs to be.

Brynner's character spends several minutes trying to instruct the townspeople about the correct way to pronounce his name. He is an unusual western character in that he is reluctant to ride a horse unless it is absolutely necessary.

Certain townspeople discriminate against Jules based on his heritage. Half way or thereabouts into the action, Jules reveals his sympathy for the have-nots and goes on a rampage trying to destroy the town.

Downbeat western is Brynner's worst oater and pretentious to boot. Somebody should have given Brynner a better looking hat.