A recently released Western DVD, the Gundown, filmed in Arizona starring Peter Coyote, Sheree Wilson and Veronica Diaz, takes place in the year 1889 when the Old Wild West was full of gunfights, showdowns, hangings, horse nabbing and more. Centered on revenge and justice, a solely reclusive gun-for-hire by the name of Cole Brandt, played by Andrew W. Walker from the TV series Without a Trace and CSI: Miami, moves through the dry hot Arizona Sonora desert, capturing wanted fugitives and bringing them to the law for monetary compensation. Cole is in search of the men who murdered his family half a decade earlier. He travels from one Southwest town to another, seeking revenge on those who took what was most precious to him, his wife and child. When he comes to the small lawless town of Dead River, he is met with conflict. Although Dead River has a sheriff, there is a more powerful, evil force at work. A man by the name of Travis McCain, played by William Shockley from the films Last Will and Suckers and the TV series Nash Bridges, ruthlessly controls Dead River. When Cole Brandt decides to protect the one last establishment in town which is not under the control of McCain, a saloon called The Majestic, he is faced with a decision to stay and fight or leave town with the revenge he came for.
This Western film allowed for some local talent to be a part of a major motion picture for the first time in their careers. Many actors from the Tombstone, Arizona gunslingers played a contributing role in the making of this film.
A couple critics about the movie is that there was too much foul language used throughout the film. Sometime profanity can be necessary to illustrate effect, but in this case, the profanity was completely overdone and unnecessary. I would advise from having young children or church-going grandmothers watch this film.
The other critique is that one of the top billing actors, Peter Coyote, known mostly for his role in the 1980's alien movie E.T., was killed too soon in the film. Peter Coyote's character, Thomas Morgan, is killed in the first few scenes when the Majestic Guard Ike Edwards, played by David Hight, attempts to stop Morgan's attacker.
Nonetheless, if you are looking for a good old-fashioned Western recently released to DVD, The Gundown is a good choice for those that enjoy western movies.
This review written by Stephanie Hill
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