The Eclectic Choice: Forty Guns

Forty Guns (1957)
dir. Sam Fuller



Sam Fuller is basically a film Geeks wet dream. The cigar chomping hard nosed story teller is a hero to such directors as Martin Scorsese, Jim Jarmusch and Quentin Tarantino. I could list off a ton of Fuller movies worth watching, but Forty Guns is something special. A western so steeped in sexual innuendo, that you'd have to be a eunuch not to notice it.

Barbara Stanwyck plays Jessica Drummond a rough and tough woman who leads a group of Dragoons. Luckily there are forty of them otherwise they might have had to change the title. Apparently no man can satisfy her until one day Griff Bonnell (Barry Sullivan) and his brothers pass through town. Griff takes the law into his own hands when Jessica's men (one being her brother) get drunk and go nuts, trashing the town. Griff, in one cinemas best showdowns, walks up and cold cocks the brother.

The story moves all over the place as Griff and Jessica begin a "relationship". Now this is a guys movie. Sure, the woman toguh and wild, but she only needs the right man to tame her. Sexist, a little. Sexually charged and heated, definitely.

But honestly can you go wrong with dialog like this?

Jessica Drummond: I'm not interested in "you", Mr. Bonnell. It's your trademark. [gestures at his gun, purring] May I feel it?
Griff Bonnell: Uh-uh.
Jessica Drummond: Just curious.
Griff Bonnell: It might go off in your face.
Jessica Drummond: I'll take a chance.

I don't remember if she's wearing a pearl necklace in the scene, but it wouldn't surprise me.

With great performances, clockwork pacing and some stunning visual work, it's well worth the time. Watch it with someone you love. Or someone you want to score.

Move it to the top of your queue or buy it here.