Bullet Points: Gunfight at Rio Bravo
Perhaps the only thing bigger than Alexander Nevsky’s massive frame is his love of the action movie genre.
In his latest movie, Gunfight at Rio Bravo, Alexander Nevsky takes his love of action movies west for a throwback to the days when westerns ruled the cinematic landscape. And in typical Nevsky fashion, he calls upon some action movie veterans to go along for the ride…
- Welcome to Blind Chapel: The year is 1873. The place is a small town in East Texas known as Blind Chapel. Marshal Austin Carter (Olivier Gruner, Savate) and his deputy have rode into town with the notorious prisoner Ethan Crawley (Matthias Hues, Fists of Iron). Marshal Carter is transporting Crawley to face trial in San Antonio… but he’s hoping to get a meal and some rest in Blind Chapel. Marshal Carter notices Ivan Turchin (Alexander Nevsky, Showdown in Manila) and asks if he can point him in the direction of the Sheriff… Ivan offers to do one better and escorts them to see Sheriff Vernon Kelly (Joe Cornet). At this point we don’t know much about Ivan, other than we know he can handle himself based on the events of the cold open, but both Marshal Carter and Ethan Crawley seem to recognize Ivan from somewhere. Hmmm…
- Head Butting: Cut to Sheriff Vernon Kelly’s office, where he and Mayor Bowman are having a discussion and difference of opinion about the expansion of Blind Chapel… but that difference of opinion is nothing compared to the Mayor’s reaction when Sheriff Kelly agrees to allow Marshal Carter to keep Ethan Crawley in Blind Chapel’s jail so the Marshal and Deputy Walker enjoy some biscuits and gravy and get some rest. The Mayor can not believe that Sheriff Kelly is allowing the notorious leader of the Hellhound gang, Ethan Crawley, to be held in their town, when he knows the rest of the Hellhounds can show up at any moment looking for Crawley. The Mayor doesn’t want word of this to get out to the townsfolk, and then in classic hypocritical politician fashion, it is the Mayor that eventually spills the beans and has the town in a panic.
- As Advertised: Word does in fact get to the rest of the Hellhounds, thanks to a “double agent” of sorts and that means trouble is coming to Blind Chapel. Most of the townsfolk hunker down in the chapel, so this is going to be an uphill battle for Ivan, Sheriff Kelly and Marshal Carter. This is also good news for fans of rootin’ tootin’ gunfights as the wild west action heats up and the Hellhounds find out rescuing their intrepid leader is not going to be as easy as they thought.
Gunfight at Rio Bravo was a quality vehicle for Alexander Nevsky, who plays to his strengths as Ivan. The movie also made great use of action legends, Olivier Gruner and Matthias Hues. In fact, I thought Hues stole the show with his ice cold portrayal of Ethan Crawley, which made him even more menacing in my eyes.
If you want to read more Bullet Points with your eyes, check out these Bonus Bullet Points…
- True Action: Alexander Nevsky’s character Ivan Turchin was based on the real life Ivan Turchaninov
- Double Duty: Joe Cornet not only played Sheriff Vernon Kelly, he was also the director of the film. You can check out an interview with Joe Cornet by clicking here!
- Behind the Scenes: The action legends weren’t just in front of the camera, Art Camacho served as the second unit director and fight coordinator.
- The Sequel: A sequel to Gunfight at Rio Bravo has already been filmed. So it is only a matter of time before we get Taken from Rio Bravo.
- Now Available: Gunfight at Rio Bravo is now available on VOD and DVD courtesy of Shout Factory!
