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Released by: Bayview Entertainment/Retromedia
Released on: December 11, 2012.
Director: Walter Campos
Cast: Ross Hagen, Brad Thomas, Joan McCrea
Year: 1966
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The Movie:
Directed by Wally Campo in 1966, the previously thought to be lost western Mark Of The Gun stars Ross Hagen as a cowboy named Justine Kane. When we meet him, his travels take him to a whorehouse run by a madam named Beth. He and Beth hit it off, but Justin also comes to the attention of a local tough named Jack (Brad Thomas), a man who could use a guy as fast with a six shooter as Justin is in his gang. Justin proves the stories about his speed and marksmanship are all true when he gets into it with two of Jack's men, shooting them both dead in the blink of an eye.
Impressed, Jack talks Justin into joining them in their plan to rob a nearby bank in the town of Caliente. This doesn't sit well with some of the other guys in Jack's gang - they're none too impressed with this new hot shot who has jointed their ranks. Complicating matters further is the presence of Abigail, Beth's foxy younger sister. When it's obvious that Justin has a thing for her, Beth is not in the least bit pleased. As the date that they've set for the robbery looms closer, a Sheriff Farrell (Paul Sorensen) rears his head and makes trouble and so too does another gang of bank robbers. When some of those grumpy gang members of Jack's think that Justin might be spying for the competition, tempers flare and tension mounts.
The only known directorial offering of Wally Campo, the same man who appeared in front of the camera in quite a few Roger Corman films, Mark Of The Gun is a slick looking picture thanks in no small part to the work of Laszlo Kovavcs, the man who shot Easy Rider. The black and white cinematography makes nice use of the dusty locations. The movie itself really isn't all that exceptional, however. It's entertaining enough, sure - there are lots of shoot outs and the gangsters that Hagen's character seems to be encountering at every turn are amusing enough. The problem is that Hagen's character isn't much of a character at all. He's a fairly generic cowboy, and like every other cowboy hero he's good with a gun and a hit with the ladies. There's not much done here to differentiate him from any other lead in any other western that you'd care to name.
For a movie that was obviously made on a modest budget, however, Mark Of The Gun is quite slick looking. The score seems out of place at times there are some interesting moments of nihilism in the film as everyone sort of rushes into self-destruct mode when it all comes tumbling down towards the big finish. Entertaining enough and reasonably well paced at just over seventy five minutes in length, this is worth a watch for Hagen fans or western buffs but not one that you're likely going to add to the top of your favorites list.
Video/Audio/Extras:
The 1.78.1 anamorphic widescreen transfer looks like it might be a bit tight up top at times - no idea what the original aspect ratio was for this movie. The black and white image is in fairly nice shape but some obvious noise reduction and edge enhancement hurt fine detail and result in facial detail looking a bit waxy. There aren't any obvious compression issues though, and contrast looks alright.
The English language Dolby Digital Mono track on the disc is fine for an older low budget movie. There's some minor background hiss and the occasional snap, crackle and pop but you won't have any trouble understanding the dialogue.
There aren't a ton of extras here but if you click on 'A Fistful Of Ross' you'll find a short seven minute trailer collection of Ross Hagen features - The Sidehackers, Bad Charleston Charlie, Wonder Women and Supercock. There's also a two minute clip here entitled 'Editor's 35mm Work Print' that is footage from Pushing Up Daisies - why it's called 'Editor's 35mm Work Print' is anyone's guess. Static menus and chapter selection are also provided.
The Final Word:
If you're a Ross Hagen fan you're likely to get more out of this than the casual viewer but either way, Mark Of the Gun is a moderately entertaining low budget western. It's far from a lost classic but you can sit down with a six pack and some popcorn and have fun with it.
