I found myself vaguely disappointed by this film. I have mixed feelings on Sam Fuller thus far-- I LOVED "Pickup On South Stree" (one of my favourites from the 1950's), but "Shock Corridor" did absolutely nothing for me. "The Naked Kiss" was one heck of a ride while it lasted but I'm not sure I ever want to see it again. So to this film--It was okay, quite good in places, but nowhere near the provocative cult classic I was expecting. I found the whole thing very hard to follow. Maybe Fuller's film had studio-imposed cuts? I don't know, but the plot seemed to jump around all over the place and never fully engaged my interest. Stanwyck is convincing as the tough woman, and her dialogue exchange with love interest Barry Sullivan over his gun is worth the price of the DVD alone. She has this strange relationship with her brother that you can never quite put your finger on. Some scenes are very good, others are instantly forgettable. It just wasn't the film I was hoping for.
Review of Forty Guns
