Five Guns West

"Five Guns West," a 1955 American Western film, stands out as one of the first directorial ventures of Roger Corman. Made under the banner of the American Releasing Corporation (that would later come to be known as American International Pictures), which was to become known for its low-budget, independent films, "Five Guns West" provides a stirring mix of classic Western thrills, romantic tensions, and moral quandaries. The movie showcases actor John Lund's seasoned performance, complemented by Dorothy Malone's spirited portrayal and the fresh energy of newcomer Mike Connors, credited as Touch Connors.

The film spins a yarn about a motley crew of Confederate soldiers—deserters, drifters and misfits—released from a military prison under a proposition that requires a perilous assignment in return. They are given a chance to escape the clutches of punishment under the vault of martial law not through a show of mercy but an intrepid undertaking. These men, none of them particularly admirable, are to intercept a stagecoach carrying a Union gold shipment amidst the throes of the Civil War. Cowardly outcasts in a grim game of survival and avarice, these men are the five guns heading west, and the narrative follows their grueling journey ridden with the realities of peril and treachery.

John Lund, a star of many successful films by the mid-1950s, imbues this rough-and-tumble voyage with gritty determination. His portrayal of an army officer, presumed by his fellow gun-slingers as a doctor and a gentleman, gives the group an unlikely leader whose motivations run deeper than mere survival. Dorothy Malone, an Academy Award-winning actress, appears as Shalee, a feisty woman who unexpectedly joins this dangerous quest, bringing with her a whirlwind of romantic tension and rivalry among the men. The future star of "Mannix," Mike Connors, is introduced in this film and also adds intrigue, playing the wild card character, a government spy with his own personal agenda. The roles of the remaining two gunmen are filled aptly, providing a seesaw game of power dynamics and camaraderie, peppered with dissent, doubt, and survivors' guilt.

Shot on location in apple-rich Julian, California, the movie showcases scintillating landscapes that add verve to the showdowns and chases. It also features the signature characteristics of the Western genre - an action-packed high noon shoot-out, tension-filled silences, the unforgiving terrain, and promises of redemption hanging in the balance. Doubling as the writer, Roger Corman unfurls the narrative through these ingredients, held together by an unconventional comeuppance for the flawed five guns, making their journey westward an engaging watch.

"Five Guns West", maintained within its genre's parameters, does not shy away from delving into its characters' psyche. Amidst the salient features of gunfights and horseback chases, Corman's film carves out space for introspection as well as moments of genuine insight into human motivations. Contrasting perspectives on redemption, honor, and sin create an engaging layer of depth beneath the genre's stereotypes of heroes and villains. Adding another layer is Lund's character's tactical prowess, Malone's enigmatic presence and doomed romances, simmering tensions between the men, and a stoic acceptance of their probable end, embarking on an odyssey of uncertainty with only their conniving wits at their disposal.

As Confederate soldiers against the backdrop of the Civil War, the possibilities of double-cross, looming uncertainties, and escapades in this hazardous journey make for enticing viewing. The movie’s potential lies in its exploration of human greed, the power of camaraderie, and the moral issues inherent in warfare. Throughout, there is a tension between survival instincts and the desperate bid to reclaim a semblance of respectability. The film asks audiences to reconsider who the villains and heroes truly are when each man is engaged in his own personal battle, making this Western classic a thought-provoking affair.

In summary, "Five Guns West", while having all the marks of a classic Western film: outlaws, shootouts, and a quest filled with danger, manages to delve deeper into the psyche of its characters, offering an engaging narrative full of suspense, moral dilemmas, and realistic portrayals. With strong performances from stars like John Lund and Dorothy Malone and an engaging directorial approach from Roger Corman, "Five Guns West" remains a significant entry in the Western genre.