Is Gunfighter Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Gunfighter is likely a skip if you enjoy Western movies.
It features a runtime of 94 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Gunfighter Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1999, Gunfighter emerges as a significant entry in the Western domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of One foggy night The Kid (Carradine), a down at the heals singer, arrives at a seemingly abandoned salon where he meets a stranger in a dark duster (Sheen). Unlike standard genre fare, Gunfighter attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Western is often anchored by its ensemble, and Gunfighter features a noteworthy lineup led by Robert Carradine . Supported by the likes of Martin Sheen and George Nix , 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 Gunfighter (1999) is negative. With an audience rating of 2.8/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Gunfighter Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Gunfighter 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.
Gunfighter Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Gunfighter 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 Gunfighter reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Gunfighter?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Western films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
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Full Cast & Crew of Gunfighter
- Robert Carradine – The Kid
- Martin Sheen – The Stranger
- George Nix – Cowpoke at the Red Snake
- Clu Gulager – Uncle Buck Peters, Owner Bar 20 Ranch
- Tom Gulager – Jimmy, Bar 20 Rider
Top Highlights
Robert CarradineThe Kid
Martin SheenThe Stranger
George NixCowpoke at the Red Snake
Clu GulagerUncle Buck Peters, Owner Bar 20 Ranch
Tom GulagerJimmy, Bar 20 Rider
John GulagerRustler
Tom SerbakLaughing Rustler
Parents Guide & Age Rating
Gunfighter has not been officially rated yet.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 2.8/10, and global collection metrics, Gunfighter stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1999 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gunfighter movie hit or flop?
Gunfighter is considered a flop based on audience ratings of 2.8/10 and lower collections.
Is Gunfighter worth watching?
Based on the low rating of 2.8/10, Gunfighter may not be worth watching unless you are a die-hard fan.
Where can I watch Gunfighter online?
Gunfighter may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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How Gunfighter Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Gunfighter
Hopalong Cassidy: Western superhero (sorta) "Gunfighter," aka "Ballad of a Gunfighter," (1999) stars Chris Lybbert as Hopalong Cassidy in a story more akin to creator Clarence E. Mulford’s yarns than William Boyd’s films, although it’s really a marriage of both. The Bar 20 Ranch, where Hopalong’s babe (Adrienne Stout) and her uncle (Clu Gulager) reside, is raided by an embittered enemy (Louis Schwiebert) and his rustlers. Cassidy aims to get his girl back and set things a’right. The movie poster proclaims in huge letters “Francis Ford Coppola presents” but, actually, Francis had nothing to do with the making of this picture; he didn’t even produce it. The film was written/directed by his nephew Christopher Coppola, who’s the brother of Nicolas Cage. Francis’ name (which was still revered in the industry in the late 90s) was attached to the movie simply to attract viewers, which worked with me because, otherwise, I would’ve never checked it out. In any case, this is a very low-budget production, falling somewhere between the micro-budget of Glenn Ford’s last film, the made-for-Turner “Border Shootout” (1990), and the quality TV production “Purgatory” (1999), but closer to the former. If you can’t stomach the micro-budget vibe of Westerns like “Border Shootout,” I suggest skipping this. That said, the flick has several highlights if you can acclimate. For instance, unlike the town-bound “Purgatory,” there are several scenes with a glorious Western backdrop. Also, Lybbert is stalwart as the noble gunfighter protagonist. It is stressed that he embraces limited pacifism, which only resorts to violence when absolutely necessary (as opposed to the idiotic total pacifism, which foolishly refuses to ever turn to violence, even when family members are threatened with murder or rape). Meanwhile, Adrienne Stout is hot and formidable as Mary and Schwiebert is daunting as the resentful black hat antagonist, Tex. I also liked the story-within-a-story framework wherein Martin Sheen conveys the Hopalong tale to a dispirited minstrel played by Robert Carradine. Lastly, I appreciate how the tale mixes the mythical with the realistic and leaves you with a pleasant aftertaste, rather than sour. The movie runs 1 hour, 34 minutes and was shot in Elko, Nevada and Los Angeles, California. Johnny Rivers wrote the superb theme song “Ballad of a Gunfighter,” which plays over the end credits. GRADE: B-/C+
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
