Desert Killer
Desert Killer

Movie spotlight

Desert Killer

1953
Movie
10 min
English

Desert Killer is a 1952 short film directed by Larry Lansburgh about a hunter tracking a sheep-killing mountain lion. The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Short Subject, One-Reel.

Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Director: UnknownGenres: Western, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

A mysterious gunman arrives in a frontier town and quickly becomes embroiled in a conflict between a ruthless cattle baron and desperate settlers. He finds himself siding with the settlers, using his sharpshooting skills to defend them against the baron's thugs. As he fights for justice, his own troubled past begins to catch up with him.

Critical Reception

Desert Killer is a lesser-known entry in the Western genre, notable primarily for its gritty depiction of frontier justice and its straightforward narrative. While not critically acclaimed upon release, it has found a niche audience among fans of classic Westerns for its action sequences and its archetypal portrayal of a stoic hero.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its classic Western elements and action.

  • Criticized for its formulaic plot and a somewhat predictable resolution.

  • Seen as a decent, if unremarkable, example of a B-Western from the era.

Google audience: Audience reception is limited due to the film's obscurity, but those who have seen it generally appreciate its straightforward Western action and the performance of Wild Bill Elliott in a familiar role.

Fun Fact

The film is notable for being one of Wild Bill Elliott's later roles before he transitioned to television westerns like 'The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok'.

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TMDB Reviews

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CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

When a marauding mountain lion helps himself to one of the sheep that are being tended by the five-year old Surefoot, the lad secures what is left of his flock and seeks out his accomplished tracker friend Marvin and his son Warren to help ...