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      Johnny Guitar

      1954, Western, 1h 50m

      50 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      Johnny Guitar confidently strides through genre conventions, emerging with a brilliant statement that transcends its period setting -- and left an indelible mark. Read critic reviews

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      Johnny Guitar  Photos

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      Movie Info

      On the outskirts of town, the hard-nosed Vienna (Joan Crawford) owns a saloon frequented by the undesirables of the region, including Dancin' Kid (Scott Brady) and his gang. Another patron of Vienna's establishment is Johnny Guitar (Sterling Hayden), a former gunslinger and her lover. When a heist is pulled in town that results in a man's death, Emma Small (Mercedes McCambridge), Vienna's rival, rallies the townsfolk to take revenge on Vienna's saloon -- even without proof of her wrongdoing.

      • Genre: Western

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Nicholas Ray

      • Producer: Nicholas Ray

      • Writer: Roy Chanslor, Philip Yordan

      • Release Date (Theaters):  original

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: Republic Pictures

      • Production Co: Republic Pictures Corporation

      Cast & Crew

      Sterling Hayden
      Scott Brady
      Ward Bond
      Ben Cooper
      Ernest Borgnine
      Frank Ferguson
      Rhys Williams
      Will Wright
      John Maxwell
      Robert Osterloh
      Trevor Bardette
      Sumner Williams
      Sheb Wooley
      Denver Pyle
      Philip Yordan
      Herbert J. Yates
      Victor Young
      Harry Stradling Sr.
      Edward G. Boyle
      John McCarthy Jr.
      Sheila O'Brien

      News & Interviews for Johnny Guitar

      Critic Reviews for Johnny Guitar

      Audience Reviews for Johnny Guitar

      • Feb 25, 2021

        Nicholas Ray's masterpiece works on multiple levels. Watch it for its melodramatic thrills. Then read about all of the production drama that took place to appreciate how it affected the acting. But, on either screening don't overlook the sexual sub-text and political allegory.

        Super Reviewer
      • Sep 18, 2016

        Classic gender bending western, almost entirely set in one location, that balances thrills, camp and righteous anger brilliantly.

        Super Reviewer
      • Oct 16, 2015

        The first 45 minutes are perfect, with impeccable performances (Crawford at her best) and an exceptional dialogue, but then the film starts to lose steam and drag in a few moments, while Vienna's peaceful (passive, that would be) motivations become a bit exasperating.

        Super Reviewer
      • Jun 21, 2013

        Given the movie's low budget and the behind the scenes drama it's astounding that something this brilliant and unclassifiable (is it a Western? Romance? Psycho-sexual Thriller?) resulted. Then again that's probably how they got away with it. Something this strange must be treasured.

        Super Reviewer

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