Sadly Over-hyped

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Good dramatic western. I was skeptical when I saw Tab Hunter's name in the cast. But he does well as the semi-psychotic elder son. As the tyrannical father, Heflin is more animated than usual, having to contain his two restless sons. Seems the two sons represent Dad's conflicting sides, one that he embraces, the headstrong Ed (Hunter). The other, weaker, son, Davy (Darren), he only tolerates, especially when Davy takes up with the half-breed Clee (Grant). So Dad's got his own internal conflict to resolve. At the same time, it seems Ed is trying to out- macho his father by shooting first and thinking later. So Dad's really got his hands full.The script merges the various themes—family rivalries, Indian discrimination—in fairly seamless fashion, along with some vivid supporting roles, Simon and Teal, especially. Of course, for movie buffs, seeing Gidget's boyfriend Jimmy Darren as a cowboy takes some getting used to. But as the more sensitive brother, he does well enough, even if the malt shop never quite leaves. Unfortunately, Kathryn Grant has little more to do than stand around and look pretty, which she does in fetching fashion. And for scenery buffs, there are some arresting panoramas to entertain the eye. My only gripe is Dad's sudden turnaround at the end. But then I guess his internal conflict has finally been resolved, even if violently.All in all, it's an engaging Technicolor western, efficiently directed by cult helmsman Phil Karlson, but without his trademark emphasis on raw violence.

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

I was surprised when this was shown on TCM for the first time the impact this film has. This is one of Van Heflin's better performances. Tab Hunter is cast well as one of his sons. James Darren is another one though his role is more secondary than Hunter.Ed Platt (Chief of Control on Get Smart) has a very good role as a lawyer. This movie seems stocked with good character actors. The script has Heflin as the aged gunfighter with two sons who now owns a big spread outside of town. He teaches his sons the benefits of using guns. This teaching back fires on him in an interesting way. The surprise here is the strength of the ending.Heflin is not the hero of the old Westerns here. His character is deeper and he does things that hero's don't do. This is a really well done film.

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