Watch Last Train From Gun Hill

In 1959, director John Sturges brought us Last Train From Gun Hill, a thrilling western starring Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, and Carolyn Jones. The movie follows the story of Marshal Matt Morgan (Kirk Douglas), who sets out to capture and bring to justice the men who raped and murdered his wife. The film begins as Matt Morgan rides into the town of Gun Hill, seeking justice for his wife. He is met with hostility by the town's residents, who are afraid of the two men he is pursuing; Craig Belden (Anthony Quinn) and his son Rick (Earl Holliman), two notorious outlaws who live outside of town.

Craig Belden is not just any outlaw - he is a cattle baron who controls Gun Hill, and the town owes its livelihood to his successful business. Belden is also a former friend of Matt's, which makes Morgan's pursuit of the killers more difficult. Morgan soon discovers that Rick is guilty of the crime, but Craig refuses to let his son face the consequences and instead tries to protect him.

Morgan's investigation of the murder quickly divides the town, and the Beldens' influence makes it difficult for him to arrest Rick. Matt's determination to bring Rick to justice puts him at odds with the townspeople, including Linda (Carolyn Jones), a saloon girl who has a past with Rick.

As the film progresses, tensions escalate as Morgan becomes more and more determined to capture Rick, and Craig becomes more and more determined to protect him. The climax of the film is a dramatic train chase scene, where Morgan and Belden pursue each other on horseback, through the train and ultimately onto its roof.

The performances of the three leads are exceptional. Kirk Douglas, as Marshal Matt Morgan, perfectly portrays the determination and anger of a man seeking justice for his wife. Anthony Quinn is charismatic as Craig Belden, bringing a sense of charm to the character, making it difficult for the audience to entirely hate him. Carolyn Jones plays Linda with grace and empathy, giving the audience an insight into why Rick may have been attracted to her, and why she wants to help him.

The cinematography is breathtaking, with the Arizona landscape captured in wide panoramas that enhance the film's epic feel. The train sequence is a masterclass in tension and suspense.

The film explores themes of revenge, justice, and redemption. Morgan's pursuit of justice is not just for his wife but is also a quest for redemption for his friend Craig, as he tries to help him realize that protecting his son is a misguided mission. It also explores the significance of law and order in a society, with Matt's pursuit of justice being the only thing standing between Gun Hill and anarchy.

In conclusion, Last Train From Gun Hill is a classic western that still holds up today. It is a must-see for fans of the genre, and for anyone who loves a good old-fashioned action movie. The tension-filled plot, excellent performances, and stunning cinematography make it a real gem of a film.

Last Train From Gun Hill is a 1959 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.