Well I've seen more than my share of Western films, but I can't think of another one right now where a man throws down against his own father. One would think youth would prevail, child is father to the man as it were, but not in "Gunman's Walk", a title that doesn't quite fit the story but that's nothing new for the genre.I caught this one on Turner Classics this evening, neatly timed to coincide with Tab Hunter's eightieth birthday. Cast against type, he portrays 'wild' brother Ed Hackett along side James Darren's more peaceable sibling Davy; they in turn the sons of veteran actor Van Heflin who seems more interesting as a hard case than the characters he portrayed in "Shane" and "3:10 to Yuma".Hunter is actually pretty good here with a vicious streak that catches you off guard. He really hits stride by the time he confronts father Lee (Heflin) at the bar toward the end of the film. He seemed just slightly forced in that scene, but otherwise it suited the moment to set up the final showdown. I had to wince a bit though when Hunter took up with the pair of saloon gals and blared into 'I'm a Runaway'. I know Hunter had a briefly successful singing career, but you couldn't tell here. He certainly didn't have anything on Rick Nelson in "Rio Bravo".If you liked Van Heflin's performance, you might want to look up another Western he starred in toward the end of his career - 1968's "The Ruthless Four". He plays a similar hard edged character and it might be a toss up as to which was the better role. Come to think of it, I'm having a little trouble deciding myself, so you'll have to make up your own mind.Overall, a competent Western, though I didn't find it as compelling as most of the other reviewers on this board. Personally, I thought the Technicolor format worked against it, odd as that might sound. To me, it had the feel of a Fifties B Western and would have come off a bit grittier in good old black and white.

Van Heflin heads the cast of Gunman's Walk and he's the head of the local Ponderosa in his part of the west. He's not as noble as Ben Cartwright or as mean Rufe Ryker in Shane. He's got two sons, one good and one bad, played by James Darren and Tab Hunter.These guys pretty much do as they please even in these relatively civilized times. For instance Tab Hunter and Van Heflin both wear their six guns to town even though there's a law against it now. Reason being is that they were there before the law and they don't answer to it even if the sheriff is an old friend in Robert F. Simon.Hunter is taking a lot of the wrong values from Heflin. When he rides an Indian ranch hand off a cliff in pursuit of a wild horse, he's brought up on murder charges. This sets off a chain of events that result in tragedy.In the meantime younger son James Darren's courtship of half Sioux maiden Kathryn Crosby whose brother was the one Hunter rode off the cliff is setting off some other issues with Heflin. The Indians are living on the reservation now with a rare honest Indian agent Edward Platt looking out for them. Still Heflin remembers nothing but the bad old days except when he needs them as extra hands.Van Heflin never gave a bad performance in any film he was in. But this film does belong to Tab Hunter who breaks from teen idol mode into a character role of depth.As for the film it might best be compared to the Robert Taylor/John Cassavetes western from the previous year, Saddle The Wind. There's lots of similarities in the relationship between Taylor and Cassavetes and Heflin and Hunter. And the ending is the same.

"Gunman's Walk" is not only outstanding on the entertainment level, it also presents what could be clichéd material in a superbly directed and written comment on many issues. The story is an action Western first. Van Heflin, easily one of the greatest of all Western actors, plays a rugged Western hero of the old pioneer days, who participated in many wars against the Native American. Unlike the more sugar coated stories of many Westerns, he is not forgiving of his enemy, and his character is still much the same man when he enters a new era. Heflin's character is now a big man in his territory, respected and feared by all. Heflin gives this character an incredible likability, which in retrospect, makes him even scarier. It is easy to compare this man with Anthony Quinn in "Last Train to Gun Hill", another impressive performance by another great actor. Except this man is much friendlier and less menacing, yet he commands the respect for his abilities with guns, fists, and bravery. Heflin now has a big ranch and two sons. The older one, Tab Hunter, wants to be the big hero his father was, but lives in an era when the Native American is not at war with them. In fact, Ed Platt plays an Indian agent who tries to protect the native population from Hunter's outbursts, to no avail. The younger son, James Darren, is perfectly cast as the dove of the family, who abhors violence. To make matters worse, he is attracted to a beautiful Native American girl, which puts him as the one bearing the brunt of suffering in the middle from both sides. Heflin is going along with the times, but not by conventional means. he hangs on to his valor by recalling his feats in the past. Hunter constantly hears the exploits with other older men in the saloon, speaking as if they were in Floyd's Mayberry RFD barber shop. Exploits against the native Americans that aren't allowed any more, but Hunter wants to have such stories told about him some day. Heflin's character hasn't moved with the times. He simply laughs at them. He raises his sons to be fighters and the end result is that the oldest son steps way over any civilized line. The climax is not exactly hidden. We know that Heflin must confront himself, and he does this by confronting his sons. One he admires, and the other he disowns midway through the movie. By the end, he realizes his mistake. But all through the movie, characters remind us that Hunter isn't the one who caused it all. It is actually Heflin. Yet Heflin's performance is so great that instead of seeing him for the evil man he is, we pity him, and don't blame him. Much like the crafty Fred March in "Hombre", one of the evilest men in Westerns, yet able to snake oil his way through it. Heflin's attitude and character is in the oldest son, and he was responsible. In the end, Heflin admits this, and we forgive him at first, when we see him break down. However, this movie requires much thought. It gives a very frightening picture of the truth about prejudice, and about the evil that is allowed to pass on through cultures and generations, and the way it is done. It is a movie we should watch and learn from, and it is done in a very sneaky way. A must see movie.

The movie is one of my favorite 1950's westerns mainly because of the story. Give me a great story and some good acting and heck with all those special effects. The characters are very well developed and easy to relate to. The story is not necessarily a brand new one but it comes across like it is; very believable.Tab Hunter and Van Heflin's performances are excellent. Hunter plays a spoiled brat oldest son trying to out-do his fathers accomplishments but always seems to fall short. Each time he can't exceed his dad, he gets a little more bitter until he actually start to hate him.The movie unfortunately does slow down a bit, every time James Darren's part kicks in, not because of James Darren but because his part is the touchy-feely stuff that I get bored with but you might enjoy.Whoever plays the sheriff does a great job convincing the audience that he's a serious law-man trying to do his job but is bending over backwards to accommodate Van Heflin's son Tab Hunter.All the characters were exactly right for his/hers part except for Bert Convey. Convey plays the Indian brother of Kathryn Grant who Tab Hunter rides off a cliff while they are both chasing the same horse. Come on; Convey doesn't look anything like an Indian or even half Indian. Of course, that's just a minor observation that doesn't take anything from the movie.The movie had no choice but to finally end with the show down between Tab Hunter and Van Heflin but even after that it takes a turn which you don't expect and then ends at the right time.