The Gatling Gun (1971)
Directed by Robert Gordon, The Gatling Gun is a gritty, action-packed Western drama that explores the deadly consequences of greed and betrayal in the Old West. With a cast of genre veterans including Guy Stockwell, Robert Fuller, Woody Strode, and John Carradine, the film centers around the theft of a powerful weapon and the chaos it unleashes.
Plot Summary
Two army deserters steal a Gatling gun from their cavalry unit, intending to use it to massacre an Apache tribe and steal their gold. Their plan draws the attention of both the U.S. cavalry and the Apaches, who pursue them across the desert. Along the way, a pacifist preacher (played by Carradine) becomes entangled in the conflict, adding moral weight to the escalating violence.
As tensions rise and alliances shift, the film builds toward a brutal showdown where the Gatling gun becomes both a symbol of technological power and a tool of indiscriminate destruction.
Cast Highlights
- Guy Stockwell as Lt. Wayne Malcolm
- Robert Fuller as Pvt. Sneed
- BarBara Luna as Leona
- Woody Strode as Runner the Scout
- Patrick Wayne, Pat Buttram, Carlos Rivas, and Tommy Cook in supporting roles
- John Carradine as Reverend Harper
- Phil Harris in his final screen appearance
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- Woody Strode performed most of the stunt archery in the film; when he was acting in scenes, his son Kalai Strode stepped in for the bow work
- The film was originally titled “King Gun” and shot in 1969, but wasn’t released until 1971
- The Apache characters speak Spanish, despite clearly understanding English—a detail that puzzled many viewers
- Jeffrey Hunter was originally cast but replaced by Guy Stockwell during production
- Filming locations included Ghost Ranch and Eaves Movie Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico
