"More Dead Than Alive" is a good, solid Western drama. It doesn't really do anything special, and this viewer wouldn't consider it to be that offbeat, if indeed that's what it was going for. It's actually pretty familiar altogether, utilizing classic themes like the criminal who wants to leave his bloody past behind him, but can't deny who he was, and the changing times for the American West. It's got a little romance, and some potent violence in the "Wild Bunch" tradition. Certainly, it *looks* gorgeous (as does its leading lady, Anne Francis), and it is nicely acted.
It's largely a vehicle for jut jawed Clint Walker, as the aforementioned former outlaw who vows to serve out his 18 year sentence. He gets out in the winter of 1891, and really tries to live a normal life. But most people won't give him a break, with the exception of traveling sideshow proprietor Dan Ruffalo (Vincent Price), who's attracted by the fact of "Killer" Cains' notoriety and hires him as a sharpshooter. He ends up raking in the big bucks, to the consternation of whiny "kid" (32 year old Paul Hampton), who doesn't like his star status to be threatened in any way.
Walker is an old school tough guy, but also is able to create a reasonably likable character. You do want this guy to catch a break, even though the odds are against him. Hampton is memorable at being annoying and pathetic; now this is a character whom you *don't* like. The beautiful Ms. Francis adds a real human element since she is able to judge Walker as the man he is now, without factoring in his reputation. Familiar faces like Mike Henry, Harry Lauter, and Emile Meyer turn up, but it's Price that provides the film with whatever panache it has. He's clearly enjoying himself, but isn't excessively hammy. It's a treat to see him in this sort of setting.
As was said, there's nothing great about this one - although there is one decent action sequence early on - but it remains watchable for 102 minutes. Viewers will be struck by the violent, unexpected ending.
Seven out of 10.
It's largely a vehicle for jut jawed Clint Walker, as the aforementioned former outlaw who vows to serve out his 18 year sentence. He gets out in the winter of 1891, and really tries to live a normal life. But most people won't give him a break, with the exception of traveling sideshow proprietor Dan Ruffalo (Vincent Price), who's attracted by the fact of "Killer" Cains' notoriety and hires him as a sharpshooter. He ends up raking in the big bucks, to the consternation of whiny "kid" (32 year old Paul Hampton), who doesn't like his star status to be threatened in any way.
Walker is an old school tough guy, but also is able to create a reasonably likable character. You do want this guy to catch a break, even though the odds are against him. Hampton is memorable at being annoying and pathetic; now this is a character whom you *don't* like. The beautiful Ms. Francis adds a real human element since she is able to judge Walker as the man he is now, without factoring in his reputation. Familiar faces like Mike Henry, Harry Lauter, and Emile Meyer turn up, but it's Price that provides the film with whatever panache it has. He's clearly enjoying himself, but isn't excessively hammy. It's a treat to see him in this sort of setting.
As was said, there's nothing great about this one - although there is one decent action sequence early on - but it remains watchable for 102 minutes. Viewers will be struck by the violent, unexpected ending.
Seven out of 10.