Forty Guns
An authoritarian rancher rules an Arizona county with her private posse of hired guns. When a new Marshall 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.
Critics Sentiment
Griff shoots Jessica to stop Brockie from escaping with her as shield
Brockie guns down Wes on his wedding day while aiming for Griff
The film drops sharply from the praised alley ambush sequence to the shocking wedding day murder, then rebounds dramatically for Fuller's acclaimed climactic shootout.
Critics consistently praised Fuller's visual style and Barbara Stanwyck's performance while finding the film both brilliant and frustratingly uneven. The spectacular opening and climactic shootout earned widespread acclaim, but reviewers were divided on the conventional romantic ending and Barry Sullivan's colorless performance. Most agreed the film successfully subverts western conventions through Fuller's noir-influenced direction and psychological complexity.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 27
Barbara Stanwyck
Jessica Drummond
Barry Sullivan
Griff Bonell
Dean Jagger
Sheriff Ned Logan
John Ericson
Brockie Drummond
Gene Barry
Wes Bonell
Robert Dix
Chico Bonell
Jidge Carroll
Barney Cashman
Paul Dubov
Judge Macy
Gerald Milton
Shotgun Spanger
Ziva Rodann
Rio
Hank Worden
Marshal John Chisum
Neyle Morrow
Wiley
Chuck Roberson
Howard Swain
Chuck Hayward
Charlie Savage
Sandra Wirth
Chico's Girlfriend
Eve Brent
Louvenia Spanger
Albert Cavens
Doctor (uncredited)
Tex Driscoll
Barber (uncredited)
Bob Folkerson
Gunman (uncredited)
Carol Henry
Gunman (uncredited)
Crew
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