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Forty Guns

Name: Forty Guns
Genre: Western, Drama
Released: 1957-09-10
Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sullivan, Dean Jagger, John Ericson, Gene Barry

1957 | 80 min | Western, Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (86% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office loss and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Rio Bravo or Giant, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood: Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 20 min.
What might put you off: Made in 1957: an older pace and style.
Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

An authoritarian rancher rules an Arizona county with her private posse of hired guns. When a new Marshal arrives to set things straight, the cattle queen finds herself falling for the avowedly non-violent lawman. Both have itchy-fingered brothers, a female gunman enters the picture, and things go desperately wrong.

How it earned its rating

CriticsStrong
86% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesSolid
6.6 out of 10
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$6K worldwide on a $300K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 23K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Samuel Fuller

Barbara StanwyckJessica Drummond
Barry SullivanGriff Bonell
Dean JaggerSheriff Ned Logan
John EricsonBrockie Drummond
Gene BarryWes Bonell
Robert DixChico Bonell
Jidge CarrollBarney Cashman
Paul DubovJudge Macy
Gerald MiltonShotgun Spanger
Ziva RodannRio