Watch The Gatling Gun

In the year 1863, America was in the midst of a bloody civil war that saw brother fighting against brother. The Confederate army was making advances and the Union army was scrambling to keep up. The Gatling Gun tells the story of a group of Union soldiers sent to protect a crucial supply route to a Northern fortification. Along the way they have to fight Confederate soldiers, hostile Native American tribes, and even their own internal conflicts.

The film stars Guy Stockwell as Major Cosgrave, a seasoned Union officer who has been given command of the mission. He is respected by his men, but also feared for his sometimes cold and ruthless leadership style. Robert Fuller plays Sergeant Stryker, the tough but fair veteran soldier who serves as Cosgrave's second-in-command. Lastly, BarBara Luna plays Consuelo, a Mexican woman who falls in with the group after escaping from a group of bandits. She provides a love interest for Stockwell's character, as well as some much-needed levity in an otherwise grim story.

The main thrust of the plot is the struggle between the Union and Confederate soldiers, who are locked in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse in the mountains of Colorado. The Confederates, led by a Colonel Owen Buckingham (played by Patric Knowles), are intent on blocking the supply route and killing as many Union soldiers as possible. The Union soldiers, on the other hand, are tasked with keeping the supply route open and protecting the men and supplies moving through it. The two sides clash in a series of brutal battles, with neither gaining the upper hand for long.

In addition to the military conflict, there are also tensions within the Union ranks. Some of the soldiers are new recruits who are scared and inexperienced, while others are veterans who resent being given orders by a young and inexperienced officer like Cosgrave. There are also class and race divisions, with the working-class Sergeant Stryker butting heads with the upper-class Cosgrave, and the Mexican Consuelo facing prejudice and suspicion from the mostly white soldiers.

Amid all this conflict, there is one weapon that serves as a game-changer: the Gatling gun of the title. The Gatling gun was a revolutionary weapon at the time, capable of firing multiple rounds of ammunition in rapid succession. In the film, the Union soldiers are initially reluctant to use it, fearing that it will be seen as unfair or unsporting. But as the battle heats up and casualties mount on both sides, they eventually decide to bring out the Gatling gun and turn the tide of the conflict in their favor.

The Gatling Gun is a classic example of a 1970s Western, complete with sweeping landscapes, gritty action scenes, and a cast of seasoned character actors. The film has its flaws, including some clunky dialogue and occasionally wooden performances, but it also has a certain charm and energy that make it worth watching. Guy Stockwell and Robert Fuller make a great on-screen team, with Stockwell bringing a steely resolve and Fuller providing the film's heart and soul. BarBara Luna is also a standout, bringing a welcome touch of humor and humanity to the proceedings.

Overall, The Gatling Gun is a solid if somewhat forgotten entry in the Western genre. It may not be a masterpiece, but it is a well-made and enjoyable film that offers plenty of action and entertainment. If you're a fan of classic Westerns, or just looking for a fun and engaging movie to watch on a lazy afternoon, The Gatling Gun is definitely worth checking out.

The Gatling Gun is a 1973 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.