Review of Invitation to a Gunfighter (1964) by Phil H — 03 Nov 2010

A moral drama. Stunning realism and Yul Brynner make this film a winner. Brought to a coward town to kill a man he doesn't know, Brynner also sees a married woman he desperatly wants. When the girl won't leave town with him, Yul goes crazy.

This is quite a Western... unconventional to say the least and not as others have clamed a predictable plot. It isn't, unless realism is predictable. The town mayor is the ever dispicable guy I have hated in every film he ever played a role. You will know him when you see him. He never played a good guy role EVER.

Gunslinger WITH a concious, Yul Brynner is outstanding. Segal was quite young when his made this film and was quite good before he turned to comedic roles in the 70's and 80's.

I would highly recommend the Western to those that don't mind the slow pace of the film. Anyone that likes Yul Brynner, who carries this movie single handed, will love it too.

The saddest part is that the movie seems to have been made with lip synching the voices to the movie. It becomes awkward to watch as the sounds from the mouths of the actors doesn't always match the spoken words. Plus, there is no background sounds of the town or wind or anything.

A very dramatic Western of love forbidden and love lost, the Invatation to a Gunfighter succeeds on so many levels unless you like constant killing and action.

Read this professional review:

Oscar winner Yul Brynner turns in a "great performance" (Los Angeles Herald Times) as a smooth master gunfighter who must do battle with his most formidable adversary - his own conscience - in this gripping, double-barreled western full of blistering shootouts, surprise twists and colorful villainy. In a New Mexico frontier town, Jules Gaspard d'Estaing (Brynner) is hired by the town's boss (Pat Hingle) to kill Matt Weaver (George Segal), a Civil War veteran who returns to reclaim his farm and his woman. But when d'Estaing realizes that Weaver may be the only honest man left, the conflicted hired gun must either kill an innocent man - or destroy his own reputation - in a heart-stopping final showdown.

Cast.

Brad Dexter.

Yul Brynner (of The Magnificient Seven and Oscar winner).

Pat Hingle.

Janice Rule.

Alfred Ryder.

George Segal (later a comedic actor of much fame).

Crew.

Story by: Hal Goodman.

Production Designer: Robert Clatworthy.

Story by: Larry Klein.

Costume Designer: Paula Giokaris.

Editor: Robert C. Jones.

Cinematographer: Joseph MacDonald.

Composer: David Raksin.

Screenplay: Elizabeth Wilson.

Director: Richard Wilson.

Producer: Richard Wilson.

Screenplay: Richard Wilson.