The Name of the Game Is Kill
The Name of the Game Is Kill

Movie spotlight

The Name of the Game Is Kill

1968
Movie
84 min
English

A desert family offers a traveling stranger its hospitality, but the stranger doesn't realize exactly what they have in store for him.

Insights

IMDb5.4/10
Director: Gunnar HellströmGenres: Western, Drama

Plot Summary

A former Marine captain, now a bounty hunter named Jess Wade, travels to a remote town in the Mexican desert to collect a debt. However, he finds himself caught in a web of deceit and violence involving a local saloon owner and his dangerous associates. As Wade tries to navigate the treacherous situation, he uncovers a dark secret that threatens his own life.

Critical Reception

The Name of the Game Is Kill is a lesser-known Western that received a mixed to negative reception upon its release. While it aimed for a gritty and mature tone, it was often criticized for its convoluted plot and uneven pacing. Some reviews noted its ambitious attempt to subvert traditional Western tropes, but ultimately found it fell short of its potential.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its attempt at a more complex, adult Western narrative.

  • Criticized for a confusing and slow-moving plot.

  • Noted for its bleak atmosphere and violence, which some found gratuitous.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this film, but those available suggest a divisive viewing experience. Some appreciate its departure from typical Western formulas and its darker themes, while others found it difficult to follow and ultimately unsatisfying.

Fun Fact

The film was shot in Techniscope, an economical widescreen film process that used standard 35mm film stock but exposed only two perforations per frame, allowing for wider aspect ratios with less film.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review