I recently have been turned on to the films of Sam Fuller--a great director and writer who had a real knack for making fast low-budget films that still were quality products. However, of all the Fuller films, I think the least satisfying are the Westerns--mostly because this genre is too chock full of product and after a while it all starts to look alike. While a few details here and there are certainly different, there were enough myths and clichés that I consign this to the category of time-passer.

The biggest problem I had with the film was Barbara Stanwyck's character, Jessica Drummond. First, she was supposed to be a sexy she-beast of sorts, but at just about 50 years-old, Miss Stanwyck was sorely miscast--though she certainly gave it her all (see the IMDb comment about her doing her own stunts). Second, in the Old West, anachronistic women like her didn't exist. Sure there were a few odd-ball ladies (such as Belle Starr and Calamity Jane),but much of this is myth and none were like Jessica Drummond. Had a woman tried to behave like her, she either would have been ignored or manhandled--not been the strongest and meanest person in the county! One mild problem is that although the shootouts lacked many clichés, in the Old West they really didn't do this very often and when Barry Nelson just walked up and pistol-whipped the punk, this never could have happened in real life. In the film's defense, however, I was thrilled when on one occasion, the shootout wasn't by the books and the bad guy got it in the back of the head. As an American history teacher, I know that THAT is a much more typical gunfight of the era, though shootouts and the like were incredibly rare.

As far as the plot goes, it was okay. I didn't mind that it was a bit slow and meandering and it ended pretty well in the final scene. My advice, though, is see some other Fuller films--such as his war films or Film Noir. I particularly like his war films (such as STEEL HELMET) because Fuller was a foot soldier in the war and he knew the material very well and could show the life of a common soldier unlike any other. If you still watch FORTY GUNS, you won't hate it--but you also might just mistake it for another run of the mill film in an already overdone genre.

Sam Fuller won't be on my list of favourite directors any time soon, but he does have an interesting visual style. One that isn't subtle, quite exaggerated, but it is certainly eye catching with some unique camera angles for the genres he specialises in. Also highly Westerns, though have always preferred other genres. A primary reason for seeing 'Forty Guns' was the great Barbara Stanwyck and to see as many of the films of hers not yet seen, which was a relatively small handful actually.

'Forty Guns' turned out to be a very solid film and a worthy effort in the genre. It is not one of my favourite Westerns and there are better representations of Stanwyck in roles that suit her more, but Fuller's style is all over it and Barry Sullivan's casting is on the money. Really liked 'Forty Guns' visual style on the whole and appreciated that the story is uncompromising, needed for a subject that is a long way from soft-focused and shouldn't be treated in that way.

It looks great for starters, when talking about the numerous good things. Beautiful and far from stage bound scenery that never look cheap and have a majestic look. Enhanced by the lush lighting and the very stylish and clever photography, which to me didn't get too over the top that it took away from the action. The script has entertainment value, with some lines that raise a smile, and is tightly structured and intelligent.

Moreover, 'Forty Guns' is directed in a lively yet gritty fashion by Fuller and the story absorbs and doesn't hold back tonally, the action pulling no punches and being dynamically choreographed. Despite the film having Stanwyck, one of the greatest actresses of her generations, tough as nails Sullivan gives the best performance. She is also very good, and has her usual toughness and sincerity, though doesn't fit within the setting quite as much. Gene Barry does quite well, in fact generally the supporting cast are very competent.

Dean Jagger however doesn't quite gel within the setting and inexperience playing the type of role he plays here shows somewhat, looking a bit wooden.

Also found the score on the uninspired and lacking in variety side, stylistically it would have been better suited to another film.

Concluding on the whole, very nicely done. 8/10

Long before she became the matriarch of The Big Valley, Barbara Stanwyck had two other roles as a prairie queen, the first was in The Violent Men and the second in this Samuel Fuller classic Forty Guns. The title refers to the number of riders, all of whom are handy with a six gun she has on the payroll to enforce her will.

Coming to challenge that will is Barry Sullivan who is playing a Wyatt Earp like federal marshal complete with two brothers Gene Barry and Robert Dix. Stanwyck also has a brother, a really vicious punk played by John Ericson.

Sullivan's in town to arrest one of Stanwyck's forty who decided to go out on his own and rob a mail coach. Any crime involving the US mail is stupid because it always brings in the Feds, then and now. That leads to a series of escalations and a few deaths among the cast members.

Look for Dean Jagger's performance as a really sad sack and corrupt town marshal who is busy conniving against Sullivan and his brothers at every opportunity. But poor Jagger is also thinking with his male member as he's crushing out on Stanwyck as well. Note how Stanwyck responds to Sullivan who is her enemy on that score as opposed to Jagger who's ready to do all for her if she'll give him the time of day.

Forty Guns is a nicely paced very much adult western with some nice double entendre lines neatly placed in the script. Barbara Stanwyck loved making westerns and this is a real good one.