Five Card Stud

PG

Released Jul 31, 1968

1 hr. 43 min.

Western

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Reviews

51%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

An 1880s gambler (Dean Martin) and preacher (Robert Mitchum) investigate killings stemming from a game of poker.

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William L

5 Card Stud has plenty of predictable components but also a few tricks up its sleeve, a murder-mystery whodunnit that is undone by casting choices (and the poster) but still keeps you guessing with the details. Trading off his similarly-designed character in The Night of the Hunter, Mitchum gives off a menacing air, but the greatest surprise is that the atmosphere actually seems to end up infected by it; the increasing frequency of the murders actually ends up leaving a thick layer of paranoia in this small gold rush town that ends up having mortal conseqeunces, which is more creative than I would have thought the film would get. By comparison, Martin seems to be checking off cliche boxes, with a few random love interests that exist only to pad for runtime and a title song that doesn't have much place apart from an apparent attempt to drum up record sales for the aging crooner. The other performances are a bit mixed, with Canadian character actress Ruth Springford giving a hearty and entertaining performance, while Roddy McDowall accidentally lets his British accent slip through a few times in the Denver wilderness. All in all not a terrible film, with some genuine surprises but a lot of predictability. (2.5/5)

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/12/22

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Audience Member

I like it because it has a different twist. keeps you guessing for most of the movie about who the killer really is. excellent cast with Dean Martin, Robert Mitchum, Katherine Justice. lots of action, with a little romance through in for good measure..

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Audience Member

Some decent performances up the level of this somewhat intriguing but ultimately predictable western suspense. Its a bit of a gamble, but I enjoyed it just enough... Resonant Line: "Van Morgan: You've preached a lot of funerals around here lately. You got something new for this one?"

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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Audience Member

WATCHING ON ENCORE ON DEMAND NOW

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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andy f

A slow burner which is refreshing by today's standards. Martin and Mitchum breeze their way through this atmospheric tale.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Solid western with decent work from all.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Henry Hathaway

Director

Dean Martin

Van Morgan

Robert Mitchum

The Rev. Jonathan Rudd

Inger Stevens

Lily Langford

Roddy McDowall

Nick Evers

Katherine Justice

Nora Evers

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Five Card Stud has the elements of an action Western: lots of gun battles, fist fights, stranglings, barroom brawls, fires, and lady barbers with hearts of gold. But it also has something rather rare, a well-made story.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 11, 2006

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Scott Nash

Three Movie Buffs

Without the presence of Martin and Mitchum this would be strictly a B-Movie, but with them it becomes something quite enjoyable.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 28, 2014

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Synopsis

An 1880s gambler (Dean Martin) and preacher (Robert Mitchum) investigate killings stemming from a game of poker.

Director: Henry Hathaway
Executive Producer: Joseph H. Hazen
Screenwriter: Marguerite Roberts
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 31, 1968, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2013

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