Fans of Sam Fuller should be very pleased to see that Forty Guns, his 1957 western starring Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sullivan and Dean Jagger, is coming in a dual format (Blu-ray/DVD) edition from Eureka in June as part of their Masters of Cinema line. More details on their website here. I’m looking forward to this.
Riding the High Country 
Very, very good news! Got to see this on the big screen at the NFT once upon a year and have never quite been the same since! Utterly bonkers like most of Fuller’s movies and I love it.
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I’m envious of your seeing it projected big – still, it ought to look terrific in HD. I love Fuller’s work.
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Fuller was a crazy genius. Seeing a ‘Scope movie on the big screen is kinda great, I have no shame showing off about that …
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I can never get enough of Fuller – frequently raw and in your face, but such an addictive body of work.
Scope was made to be viewed on the big screen so it’s always terrific if you get the chance to see it that way.
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Yes, this should look terrific. Another one for the (growing) list…..
BTW, Colin, “KID GLOVE KILLER” comes out on the 12th of next month. Another recommended little movie.
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A real flood of stuff coming these days, Jerry, in one form or another. Good to see yet bad for the wallet, ah well…
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I can’t get the opening theme out of my head, it’s tornado of a film that doesn’t make much yet I still enjoy it.
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The whole opening sequence just rushes out at you, a kind of visual assault.
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Couldn’t agree more Colin,
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I love that kind of beginning – it positively demands you sit up and pay attention, typical Fuller brashness.
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Its saying we’re going to take you on a ride so buckle up and keep your hands inside at all time as the roller-coaster of a film begins.
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Yeah, that sums it up very well indeed!
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Definitely gotta go on that shopping list!
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A long list for me, Jerry, but there are worse complaints to have. 🙂
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Yes, it’s a particularly rich harvest right now, isn’t it, Colin? I have 4 films on their way across the Atlantic right now inc. both “THE HIRED GUN” & “THE QUIET GUN”. Can’t wait!
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Yes, these things tend to come in waves. There’s a lot of European stuff I want too, but much of it is just going to have to wait a little.
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In addition to being an egocentric and subversive western FORTY GUNS is funny as hell. I did not realize what “phallic symbol” meant until I saw this film. Wonderfully eccentric characters. I like the interaction between Eve Brent as the gunsmith and Gene Barry. And then there’s dialog like this:
Jessica Drummond: I’m not interested in you, Mr. Bonnell. It’s your trademark.
[gestures at his gun, purring]
Jessica Drummond: May I feel it?
Griff Bonnell: Uh-uh.
Jessica Drummond: Just curious.
Griff Bonnell: It might go off in your face.
Jessica Drummond: I’ll take a chance.
There are a number of memorable and acutely visual moments.
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Yes, the film is packed with great stuff, and the kind of dialog you highlighted is marvelously ripe.
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A bizarre movie but I loved it.
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Yes, plenty of odd ingredients, but in a good way.
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Richard – yes, the scene you describe almost made me fall on the floor. Very typical of Fuller’s unsubtle, brass-knuckle approach to writing. (I mean that as a compliment, BTW)
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Pingback: Forty Guns (1957) – Films on the Box
One of the very rare Stanwyck films I have never seen
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It’s by no means a conventional film, and that should be kept in mind. Stanwyck is fine, as always, and Sullivan is on good form too. If you go for Fuller’s quirky, antagonistic style, then there is a lot to enjoy in the movie.
Actually, I must get round to doing a full piece on this film.
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