Gunsmoke
Performance & Direction: Gunsmoke Review
Last updated: January 28, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Gunsmoke (1953) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. 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 Gunsmoke features a noteworthy lineup led by Audie Murphy . Supported by the likes of Susan Cabot and Paul Kelly , 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 Gunsmoke (1953) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.4/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Gunsmoke
Quick Plot Summary: Gunsmoke 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: Gunsmoke
Ending Breakdown: Gunsmoke concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. 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 Gunsmoke reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Gunsmoke?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Western films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Top Cast: Gunsmoke
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Where to Watch Gunsmoke Online?
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Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeGunsmoke Parents Guide & Age Rating
1953 AdvisoryWondering about Gunsmoke age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Gunsmoke is 79 minutes (1h 19m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, Gunsmoke is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1953 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gunsmoke worth watching?
Gunsmoke is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Western movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Gunsmoke parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Gunsmoke identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Gunsmoke?
The total duration of Gunsmoke is 79 minutes, which is approximately 1h 19m long.
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Critic Reviews for Gunsmoke
I never did like to shoot my friends. Gunsmoke is directed by Nathan Juran and adapted to screenplay by D.D. Beauchamp from the novel Roughshod written by Norman A. Fox. It stars Audie Murphy, Susan Cabot and Paul Kelly. Music is supervised by Joseph Gershenson and cinematography by Charles P. Boyle. A safe recommendation to Western fans who just want to be entertained by an Audie Murphy picture of no pretensions. Nicely filmed out of Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, it's an unassuming film that follows familiar B Western plotting. Bad guy has reform in him and finds it when he ends up fighting for the underdog and falling in love with the daughter of said underdog. Characters are well defined, pace is brisk and the action is well constructed by Juran (latterly 7th Voyage of Sinbad/Jack the Giant Killer). Enjoy the shoot-outs, the cattle drive, the wagon down the hill sequence (those stunt workers rock!), and get on board with the devilishly handsome Murphy and the heart achingly sexy Cabot (check out how she carries off a red number during one scene as she gets the boys all hot and bothered). It's not original and it doesn't bring any psychological smarts to the narrative, but it plays the clichés well and all involved deliver a professional and good looking picture. 6.5/10
movieMx Verified
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.
