Movie spotlight
A young cowboy, whose dedication to the principles of peace and reason has earned him a reputation for cowardice, overcomes his psychological aversion to violence after his elder brother unjustly censures him for not joining in a foolhardy gunfight in which their youngest brother is killed.
In the post-Civil War era, a respected rancher named Blake is forced to confront his younger brother, a troubled veteran who has become a gunslinger. The townspeople, led by a determined sheriff, pressure Blake to disarm his sibling before he brings further violence upon them. Blake must find a way to save his brother from himself and protect his community without resorting to bloodshed.
Gun for a Coward is a standard Western that offers a moralistic tale about the destructive nature of violence and the difficult choices individuals face. While it benefits from a solid cast, it adheres to many genre conventions and doesn't break significant new ground. Reviews generally acknowledge its earnest attempt at exploring themes of redemption and responsibility within the Western framework.
Competent Western with a focus on character conflict.
Explores themes of pacifism and the consequences of violence.
Solid performances, particularly from Fred MacMurray, anchor the film.
Google audience: Audience reception data for this older film is not readily available through Google user reviews.
The film's title is a direct reference to the moral dilemma faced by the protagonist, who must choose between violence and peace.
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You won your way, what difference does it make? Gun for a Coward is directed by Abner Biberman and written by R. Wright Campbell. It stars Fred MacMurray, Jeffrey Hunter, Janice Rule, Chill Wills, Dean Stockwell and Josephine Hutchinson....