The Left Handed Gun

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The Left Handed Gun

Released Apr 25, 1958

1h 42m

Western

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

83%

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12 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Volatile young gunfighter Billy the Kid (Paul Newman) works for kindly rancher Tunstall (Colin Keith-Johnston), and they develop an unbreakable bond. When Tunstall is murdered by a corrupt lawman and his cronies, a distraught Billy goes on a violent rampage through the New Mexico Territory. Billy finally guns down all the men who killed Tunstall -- but in the process he endangers the life of his old cohort, Pat Garrett (John Dehner), who doesn't take kindly to the Kid's erratic behavior.

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Walter Goodman

New York Times

Saddled with a pretentious and senseless screenplay about Billy the Kid, this lame oater drags all parties down with it.

Jan 9, 2018

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Nick Pinkerton

Village Voice

Penn's training in theater and live-TV drama (e.g. Playhouse 90) shows; the central performance is rehearsed into an anxious stir, every line matched to an actorly decision, a blocking cue.

Nov 12, 2008

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Variety Staff

Variety

The picture is a smart and exciting western paced by Paul Newman's intense portrayal.

Jun 18, 2008

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Moira Walsh

The Catholic World

It is as fundamentally unsatisfactory a film as was ever made by people with talent and serious intent.

Nov 29, 2023

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A lively and influential psychological Western.

Rated: B+

Mar 21, 2022

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

Paul Newman portrays the cow-country Rebel Without a Cause, Billy the Kid, in a western which is crammed with slambang action. Its characters, however, remain shadowy to the end.

Nov 11, 2019

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Gi N

I see why critics didn't like it. It probably was not as well done in the ways pointed out by professional movie critics, as it may have been. I found it gut wrenching. It showed misery where misery was and sometimes no reason for it except as a sad post traumatic response to a troubled childhood, that they did touch on very briefly. I'm not well acquainted with the true story of Billy the Kid, but I'm just looking at a movie here, not a biography. Also, Paul Newman is just a good actor, in my opinion and I also enjoyed some of the other actors performances as well.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/25

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Andy F

Paul Newman is superb in this gritty portrayal of Billy The Kid.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/21/24

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Jeff S

Paul Newman is great in this dark tale of wanderlust and twisted vengeance.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

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Audience Member

Really good movie Pall Newman and James Best did a excellent job. Yes, I recommend it James Welch, Henderson, Arkansas November 28, 2023

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/28/23

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Audience Member

"The Left Handed Gun" was a game- changing western from 1958. It starred a fairly new actor known as Paul Newman. He had starred in the critically acclaimed "Somebody Up There Likes Me" the year before. Representative of its time the film portrayed William Bonney AKA Billy the Kid as a brooding anti-hero. Instead of a motorcycle, he rode a horse. Directed by the great Arthur Penn, it was certainly helped bring in a new era for westerns, including some interesting yet bizarre homosexual undertones. I think the film would have worked better for me had it strived to balance real history with reel history a bit better. This version of Billy's story dabbles with some things that really happened, yet it also twists those truths to some nauseating results. I also feel that Newman misses the mark a bit. He manages to capture the kids rebellious nature and fight against the establishment, but fails to bring the charisma the Kid was known for. He's all brooding, but no authenticness.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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deke p

I'm going with the critics. but for a couple of reasons: Gore Vidal & Paul Newman. But begrudgingly i cd admit I liked it. Different. unusual. And it did not glorify the evil killer Billy the Kid. And it did not depict Pat Garret as a cowardly betrayer and backshooter. All good. Wd like to find out how historically accurate it was. Never saw before July 5, 2021 on TV.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Arthur Penn

Director

Paul Newman

Billy The Kid

Lita Milan

Celsa

John Dehner

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Synopsis

Volatile young gunfighter Billy the Kid (Paul Newman) works for kindly rancher Tunstall (Colin Keith-Johnston), and they develop an unbreakable bond. When Tunstall is murdered by a corrupt lawman and his cronies, a distraught Billy goes on a violent rampage through the New Mexico Territory. Billy finally guns down all the men who killed Tunstall -- but in the process he endangers the life of his old cohort, Pat Garrett (John Dehner), who doesn't take kindly to the Kid's erratic behavior.

Director: Arthur Penn
Producer: Fred Coe
Screenwriter: Leslie Stevens, Gore Vidal
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre: Western, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 25, 1958, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2012
Runtime: 1h 42m

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