ThiefHott Too much of everything

Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

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

Jenna Walter The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Michael O'Keefe Clair Huffaker's novel and screenplay is put in the hands of director Harry Keller. Riding on Audie Murphy's popularity, how can you lose? Our hero was born into a large family and the sons were given numerical names; thus Seven Ways To Sundown Jones(Murphy). Adventure and drama as Jones, a young Texas Ranger, is teamed with veteran Ranger Sergeant Henessey (John McIntire)to capture and bring back a wanted man. Jim Flood(Barry Sullivan)is a charming criminal and very skillful, but his trail is picked up by the two Rangers. Flood manages to ambush the two and Henessey is killed. The young Jones carries on with the mission and finally apprehends Flood.On the way back, Jones seems to realize that Flood isn't that bad of a guy after all. Sharing steak and beans, the two ride on and encounter bounty hunters and Indians. Will this become a strong friendship? Will the Texas Ranger bring in his man dead or alive? It appears at times there was a short budget to work with. But acting is good and the dialogue keeps the movie interesting. Also in the cast: Venetia Stevenson, Kenneth Tobey, Suzanne Lloyd, Jack Krushen, Ward Ramsey and Mary Field. There are small roles for Don Haggerty and Teddy Rooney.

Spikeopath Seven Ways from Sundown is directed by Harry Keller and adapted to screenplay by Clair Huffaker from his own novel of the same name. It stars Audie Murphy, Barry Sullivan, Venetia Stevenson, John McIntire and Kenneth Tobey. A UIP production in Eastman Color with music scored by William Lava & Irving Gertz (Joseph Gershenson supervising) and cinematography by Ellis Carter. Plot finds Murphy as Seven Ways from Sundown, a Texas Ranger who tracks and captures notorious outlaw Jim Flood (Sullivan). As the two men make their way back to Texas, a bond begins to form...It's another Audie Murphy Western that rarely gets a mention when the talk turns to Murphy's best Oaters. On this occasion, though, it's not because it is operating suspiciously at the low end of the "B" Western scale, or that it is boorish in the formula department, this is actually a case of it being under seen by the last couple of generations of Western fans. A shame because it has much to recommend.Film basically centres around the two (initial) polar opposite characters finding a mutual respect as they traverse the dusty land back to Texas. Along the way they encounter problems; Apache attack, bounty hunters et al, but they play cards, they fight, with both men getting ample opportunities to either escape or wound, but mostly they talk. Wonderful dialogue driven chat from the Huffaker (Rio Conchos/The Commancheros) pen. This isn't in the same league as the psychological smarts laden 3:10 to Yuma chatter between Heflin and Ford, no sir, but it's well scripted and boosted considerably by the chemistry between Murphy and Sullivan.It's an odd couple physically, especially in the early parts as Seven has Greenhorn traits to overcome, but the guy's odd friendship does become believable. When Seven says late in the day that there's no man he trusts more than Flood, we understand why, because Keller (Day of the Bad Man/Quantez) and Huffaker have done great work in bringing the characters and actors to life. There's extra spice in the beans, too, with knowledge given to us of what Flood has done with his guns and what Seven is irked by in his past, he has a calling but is it a burden?There's enough action in here to please the undemanding Western fan, with gun play, fist throws and show downs (look out for a nice stunt leap off of a wagon), while there's the odd smattering of heroism such as Audie saving a dog from a bird of prey! A potential romance angle (no not between the men) is very low key and not a hindrance, McIntire and Tobey impact nicely with their respective performances and Nevada's Red Rock Canyon forms a magnificent back drop (bravo Ellis Carter). But this is all about Murphy and Sullivan and the care and consideration afforded them by Messrs Keller and Huffaker. Far from perfect for sure, anyone will find holes in this sort of production, but forgiveness is not hard to come by when it plays out so damn well. Hey! The ending is a real beaut as well. 8/10Footnote: I viewed the film from British TV, Dave Channel. A lovely print that only makes me lament there's no widespread DVD release for this film. There is a very expensive Region 2 French DVD available from certain outlets, the quality of which I can't vouch for.

Tweekums Like many B westerns this opens with a bang; introducing the villain Jim Flood by showing him gunning down a handful of people and setting fire to the saloon before fleeing. The next day the townsfolk aren't impressed when rookie Texas Ranger Seven Jones turns up... wondering where the law was when they actually needed it. He then continues on to his first posting and is soon out tracking Flood along with experienced ranger Sgt. Henessey. As they track Flood it becomes clear that he is popular with the people in many towns he goes through. As they ride through the New Mexico desert Flood shoots and kills Henessey leaving Jones to hunt him alone.Surprisingly Jones manages to catch him relatively easily; that is only half the task though; he must now get him back to Texas. Flood is determined not to go back and there are several other dangers to worry about including local bounty hunters, Apaches and the brother of the men Flood killed in the opening.This was a fairly typical Audie Murphy western; if you are a fan of his work you are sure to enjoy it, if you aren't you probably won't. Personally I think Murphy does a great job in this sort of film; his character isn't overly macho but it doesn't seem unbelievable when he prevails over an apparently superior foe. Barry Sullivan made a fine villain; rather than being an obviously bad man he is actually quite a charmer, this made a nice change. There is enough action, mostly just shootouts though, so no spectacular horse-work. The scenery looks great with Utah filling in for the New Mexico desert. As for the title... Jones' full name is 'Seven Ways from Sundown Jones"; he is the seventh child and his siblings were similarly named although we only learn the names of One and Two!

dbdumonteil When the movie begins,"Seven" looks like a clueless kid ,cmpletely immature;and it is all to the credit to Audie Murphy,the most decorated soldier in WW2,to give this kind of performance.The first meal with the girl's mother makes him look like the son of the house.His mission is actually an initiation :he is in need of a father /big brother ;first Sgt Hennessy ,then Jim Flood will play the role :the scene when they play poker with beans is revealing:and if you do not think it is,check out the last line .Flood is actually a complex man:not really a hero,for he committed a crime,but far from being a villain,who gives his knife to a kid (the key to his character is perhaps his absence of child .At the end of the movie,when Seven has grown into a man and is about to marry the girl,he lets himself killed for his mission of a father is over