KnotStronger
This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.
Jenna Walter
The film may be flawed, but its message is not.
Brooklynn
There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.
JohnHowardReid
Photographed entirely in Mexico in CinemaScope and Eastman Color by Pathé. Producer: Howard Christie. A Universal-International Picture. Copyright 1958 by Universal-International. No New York opening. U.S. release: 27 July 1958. U.K. release: 29 June 1958. Australian release: 2 May 1958. 7,370 feet. 82 minutes. Cut by Universal in Australia to 69 minutes so that the film would slot easily into the lower half of double bills.SYNOPSIS: Gunfighter Brad Ellison (Jock Mahoney) accepts an offer from wealthy John Forbes (Carl Benton Reid) to locate his brother who disappeared in Mexico thirty years ago. At Sam Grypton's (Edward Platt) hide-out for gunfighters he gets no clues. After a brush with bandits, Brad meets rancher O'Reilly (Lorne Greene), his daughter, Maria (Linda Cristal) and his foreman, Miles (Gilbert Roland) who are convinced Forbes died ten years ago, but Miles offers to help Brad's search.COMMENT: A lively, fast-moving western in which director George Sherman not only puts his action across with punch, but with style, making full use of his CinemaScope cameras to capture some impressively rugged terrain of Mexico's mountain wilderness. A tight, taut story, soundly acted. In fact, one of our favorite actors, Gilbert Roland, is back in the saddle with "Last of the Fast Guns". This silly title disguises a fascinating Mexican western. Not only lots of broodingly atmospheric scenery, but some rather interesting Mexican actors as well, including Eduardo Noriega who made such an impression in the Mario Lanza "Serenade"; George Trevino, well known to "I Love Lucy" fans as Desi's Cuban uncle; Francisco Reguiera, a film veteran of Mack Sennett comedies; and young Gilda Fontana, a former Hollywood starlet who switched to Mexico.
Spikeopath
The Last of the Fast Guns is directed by George Sherman and written by David P. Harman. It stars Jock Mahoney, Gilbert Roland, Linda Cristal, Eduard Franz and Lorne Greene. Music is by Joseph Gershenson and cinematography by Alex Phillips.Gunslinger Brad Ellison (Mahoney) is hired by a rich tycoon to find his long lost brother. The trail leads to Mexico where hostility and intrigue ensue.There's nothing overtly fresh about this as per plotting, but it delivers good qualities via some interesting twists and turns. From the sombre beginning it's evident that the makers have contemplation in mind for the narrative drive. Ellison is the last of a dying breed, and he knows it, so should he achieve the task to hand, the $25,000 he will earn could shape his future. As he sets about his detective work, tests come and go, while he is befriended by Miles Lang (Roland) and finds himself flirting with Maria O'Reilly (Cristal). But is everything as it seems? Cast are made of stoic stock, though Cristal is purely eye candy token. Pic is very airy and the Mexican vistas, filmed in CinemaScope/Eastman Color, are gorgeous. A good meaty Oater that's well mounted, so recommended for genre fans. 7/10
dougdoepke
Gunfighter Miles is hired to go south of the border to find a dying man's missing brother. However, things are more complicated than they seem.Generally underrated western, with good scenic Mexican locations, a non-clichéd plot, along with a few good twists and a colorful cast. Getting Roland, Greene and Franz was a real coup since each is a very distinctive presence. Mahoney certainly looks the part of a western hero, but is a rather bland actor, not to the extent of being a problem, however. Director Sherman makes creative and compelling use of the locations and I especially like the shack set against the cliff; it's like nothing else I've seen. Unlike many oaters set in Mexico, this one comes across as genuinely persuasive. Cristal's role (Maria), surprise, surprise, is little more than eye candy, but I don't blame Ellison (Mahoney) at fade-out. Anyway, don't let the first tame 20-minutes or so fool you, the twists and action pick up considerably.
pendoc
Classic, archetypal hero. Plot twist at the end, which some anticipate and some don't. One of the fastest draws shown in any film. Ending a bit disappointing, as final confrontation is short and not settled with firearms. For fans of the genre, a must-see.
