Gunmans Walk is a little known western but superior to many of it's better known counterparts. Quite why it's not better thought of is a bit of a mystery to me. A young man goes off the rails while his dad tries to cover up his misdeeds. Van Heflin is superb as the rich father who just wants his two lads to be like him. Tab Hunter also excels as the hot headed brother who just wants to make a name for himself without his fathers intervention. A strong supporting cast all add there bit to the impressive mix. The cinematography is outstanding and it also features a good musical score. Whilst it may lack the gun play of many westerns the clever script makes this compelling at all times. I found this to be an enthralling and intelligent western with a great ending. For lovers of westerns, this really is a must see. Highly recommended.

I've seen this movie more than a few times and it never gets old. Like Col. Potter said,, "All a good movie needs is horses, cowboys and horses." But this story goes beyond your typical oater of black hats and white hats; cowboys and Indians. It's the story of a slightly dysfunctional family that could take place in any era,, and I'm sure it has (been done before/since). What I particularly like about this movie is it is nonstop. I tend to get bored by flash-backs, flash-forwards, flash-sideways, endless chase scenes and lengthy shootouts. There was also one musical scene,, another thing I'm not fond of,, but I think it was done well and it worked for me. Always more than capable Van Heflin did a great job. Tab Hunter was a real surprise. I haven't seen all of his work,, "They Came to Cordura",, and maybe I'm biased by years of the pretty boy, can't act label but I though he turned in a journeyman performance this time. James Darren,, as always,, was a bit stiff and understated but being the shy, reserved, younger brother,, I believe understated was called for; stiff wasn't. In support there is Mickey Shaughnessy, Robert F. Simon, Edward Platt, Ray Teal, Will Wright and Paul Birch. Not that any of these guys ever mailed in a performance but Simon and Teal were very good.When I watch a movie I'm not looking to be edified, enlightened, educated, illuminated or inspired. I'm not looking for political statements or correctness (I like "Green Acres" and "The Honeymooners"). I don't delve into the mind of the character and dissect their psyche. I couldn't care less what motivates them. I have neither the time nor the inclination to do any digging. I want to be entertained and this movie did just that. I thought this was a good movie, good story and good acting.

Naughty blond Tab Hunter (as Ed Hackett) and nice brother James Darren (as Davy) clash with not only each other, but also their rancher father Van Heflin (as Lee). This interesting western focuses mainly on Mr. Hunter's character. The dependable Frank Nugent adapted it from a story by new writer Ric Hardman. The thesis appears to show how the philosophy, which built the "old west", does not survive through the next generation; it must adapt, or die. Hunter is disarming at first - which turns out to be exactly the point. He and Mr. Heflin, an asset in most every film, are very good. Their performances "tell" the story.Unfortunately, Mr. Darren hasn't much to do but stand around. His important character might have been better developed by having father Heflin reveal he sired Darren with what he refers to as a "squaw" - then decided the baby could pass as white. This would fit in nicely with the subplot involving attractive Kathryn Grant (as Clee Chouard), passing herself off here as what they are calling a "half breed". She has less to do than Darren does. "Gunman's Walk" misses some opportunities, but what's here is good. Director Phil Karlson and photographer Charles Lawton Jr. create a beautiful landscape for the characters.****** Gunman's Walk (7/15/58) Phil Karlson ~ Tab Hunter, Van Heflin, James Darren, Kathryn Grant

Rancher and old school westerner Lee Hackett is determined to mould his two sons in his own tough gun-fighting image. Something that backfires when his eldest boy, Ed, becomes a murderer.Gunman's Walk on plot synopsis and summaries sounds like your standard B Western fare, and certainly the theme of parental influence is nothing new. But Phil Karlson's film, adapted from Ric Hardman's story, has many things going for it to keep it from being mundane and used solely as a time filler. It fuses together multiple issues, parenting, prejudice and ignorance during a time of change in the old Wild West, it's central character, Lee Hackett (Van Heflin), is seen as the link between old and new.He has primarily lived his life as a shooter and killer of Indians, something that he is not totally committed to shaking off, but here he is now, a most respected and feared member of the community, faced with his two sons both taking different paths. One, Ed (Tab Hunter), is full of bile and gun slinging machismo, represents the old West. The other, Davy (James Darren), doesn't need a gun to feel like a man, his affection for half Indian Clee Chouard (Kathryn Grant) clearly gives a point of reference to the new West. It gives us two sides of the coin with one Lee Hackett perched firmly on the fence, to which Van Heflin gives an emotionally driven standout performance.I wouldn't say that Gunman's Walk is undervalued as such (its director most definitely is though), it's possibly more like it's been tarred with that old saying brush called "B Western", a saying that unfortunately some use as being derogatory. Whilst if the truth be told the support to Heflin is rather flat (both Hunter & Darren are average at best). But some average support acting can't stop Gunman's Walk from being an intelligent and potent genre piece. I mean if only for Heflin and the catchy central song, "I'm A Runaway", then you should see this, but as it is, if you give it your undivided attention you hopefully will find it's really rather good and clever. 7/10