Pretty Good

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Clair Huffaker's novel and screenplay is put in the hands of director Harry Keller. Riding on Audie Murphy's popularity, how can you lose? Our hero was born into a large family and the sons were given numerical names; thus Seven Ways To Sundown Jones(Murphy). Adventure and drama as Jones, a young Texas Ranger, is teamed with veteran Ranger Sergeant Henessey (John McIntire)to capture and bring back a wanted man. Jim Flood(Barry Sullivan)is a charming criminal and very skillful, but his trail is picked up by the two Rangers. Flood manages to ambush the two and Henessey is killed. The young Jones carries on with the mission and finally apprehends Flood.On the way back, Jones seems to realize that Flood isn't that bad of a guy after all. Sharing steak and beans, the two ride on and encounter bounty hunters and Indians. Will this become a strong friendship? Will the Texas Ranger bring in his man dead or alive? It appears at times there was a short budget to work with. But acting is good and the dialogue keeps the movie interesting. Also in the cast: Venetia Stevenson, Kenneth Tobey, Suzanne Lloyd, Jack Krushen, Ward Ramsey and Mary Field. There are small roles for Don Haggerty and Teddy Rooney.

I will not take up space by reviewing what other Viewer's comments have already unanimously echoed -- this is a greatly overlooked and EXCELLENT Western 60's film (as are quite a few of AUDIE MURPHY's films). What I ask of UNIVERSAL DVD Productions is to .... PLEASE WAKE UP ... and to please release some of AUDIE MURPHY's films onto DVD! Did you know that almost NONE of his films have ever even been released onto VHS ... or ... DVD!! How absurd!! The ONLY times I have ever been able to even see these films were (recently) on TMC (a GREAT Channel!!) and several years ago on AMC (before they "sold out" to the Corporate conglomerates and SAVAGELY BUTCHERED their films with gross "commercialization" -- which is pretty SAD for a Company that boasted and prided itself in FILM RESTORATION and PRESERVATION!!). Here are a few of AUDIE's FINE Western titles which I offer to UNIVERSAL for consideration: SEVEN WAYS FROM SUNDOWN, HELL BENT FOR LEATHER, GUNS OF FORT PETTICOAT, COLUMN SOUTH, and RIDE CLEAR OF DIABLO. Thankfully, at least a few of his films ARE available on DVD ... and you should check them out or buy them -- you will NOT be disappointed: DUEL AT SILVER CREEK, NIGHT PASSAGE (with JAMES STEWART!), and NO NAME ON THE BULLET. These films can stand right up there and beside any of the other Classic Western Films!! Thanks for reading.

One source I regard as essential when it comes to Westerns is a book by Phil Hardy called " The Western " and forming volume 1 of the Aurem Encycopedia of the cinema .It lists genre movies by year with potted critical reviews .Except that it does not give this robust and unusual little movie its own review relegating it instead to an appendix where it is mentioned but not singled out for comment Bad error from a normally reliable writer because this is a most enjoyable movie .Murphy plays a neophyte Texas Ranger with the somewhat cumbersome name of Seven Ways From Sundown Jones .He is sent in company with a grizzled veteran to track down Jim Flood a charismatic and freethinking outlaw .Jones captures Flood but not until his partner is killed and he begins the task of returning Flood to captivity .Flood turns out to be a likable man and a friendship develops between the two men whose journey is interrupted by bounty hunters and Indians before reaching its climax at Rangers headquarters Sullivan is outstanding as Flood and Murphy is more than competent as the Ranger and there is a strong supporting cast Check this out .Its well made ,well acted and well written .It should not be forgotten or overshadowed by other bigger movies

Everyone should see at least one Audie Murphy western in his life. This one is as good as any. Audie's a lawman charged with bringing elegant bad guy Barry Sullivan back to town in order to have him hanged. The problem is that, for all their difference, these two men become friends; and in time good friends. Sullivan teaches Audie a thing or two about life, and Audie gives Sullivan a lesson or two in morality. These guy complement one another. The dialogue is, for a low-budget western, often quite good. Everything happens as it should. The ending, while not a shocker, truly resonates, and makes us think about what we have just seen.