Performance & Direction: Gone with the West Review
Last updated: January 25, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Gone with the West (1975) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a FLOP with a verified audience rating of 2.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Western.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Western is often anchored by its ensemble, and Gone with the West features a noteworthy lineup led by James Caan . Supported by the likes of Stefanie Powers and Aldo Ray , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Gone with the West (1975) is negative. With an audience rating of 2.6/10, it stands as a challenging project that may struggle to find an audience.
Story & Plot Summary: Gone with the West
Quick Plot Summary: Gone with the West is a Western film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Gone with the West
Ending Breakdown: Gone with the West attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to western resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the western themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Gone with the West reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Gone with the West?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Western films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: Gone with the West
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Gone with the West Online?
Streaming HubGone with the West Parents Guide & Age Rating
1975 AdvisoryWondering about Gone with the West age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Gone with the West is 91 minutes (1h 31m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 2.6/10, and global performance metrics, Gone with the West is classified as a FLOP. It remains an essential part of the 1975 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gone with the West worth watching?
Gone with the West is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Western movies. It has a verified rating of 2.6/10 and stands as a FLOP in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Gone with the West parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Gone with the West identifies it as G. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Gone with the West?
The total duration of Gone with the West is 91 minutes, which is approximately 1h 31m long.
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Critic Reviews for Gone with the West
***Chaotic oddity satirizes the Western*** When an innocent convict (James Caan) is released from prison in the Southwest he teams-up with an AmerIndian woman (Stefanie Powers) to exact vengeance on a town of sadistic revelers in the desert. Aldo Ray plays the sinister town boss, Robert Walker Jr. the weary sheriff and Sammy Davis Jr. a black-clad gunslinger. “Gone with the West” has a strange history: It was actually shot in 1969 under the working title “Man without Mercy,” but not released until 1974-1975. This explains how scenes from the movie were available for use in the theater sequence of “Messiah of Evil” (1973). A reedited version with new music and additional scenes (a new intro & conclusion set in modern times) was released in the late 70s under the name “Little Moon and Jud McGraw” wherein Caan’s character, Jebediah Kelsey, was changed to Jud McGraw. I viewed the original “Gone with the West” version. The movie SEEMS like a serious Western with the typical sadism of Spaghetti Westerns (for example, the opening features a woman being raped with a town mob heartily enjoying the spectacle), but the goofy jazz/rock score keys off that it’s supposed to be satirical. If there’s any doubt, the ending scene tells all. Speaking of the music, it’s akin to the groovy rock in low-budget biker flicks, e.g. “The Cycle Savages” (1969), except that a great acoustic piece surfaces occasionally, similar to something Heart would do back then. When I discerned that the film wasn’t to be taken too seriously I started to chuckle with it, a little anyway, and was entertained by several sequences, like the knock-down drag-out brouhaha of two women, Sammy Davis Jr.’s deadpan gunfighter and the guy humorously singing “Abide with Me” deadpan, as well as the over-the-top hellish close. Unfortunately, the editing is incoherent, like whoever put it together was on acid. Not to mention there’s zero meaningful dialogue with Powers babbling in an AmerIndian language the whole time (or was it Spanish?). So, there are items to appreciate in this eccentric Western, but you have to persevere through its outlandishness and defects. The film runs 1 hour, 32 minutes, and was shot in Las Vegas with the title sequence shot at Vasquez Rocks, California, just north of Los Angeles in the high country. GRADE: C-
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
