The Left-Handed Gun
The Paul Newman Collection
William Bonney - Billy the Kid - gets a job with a cattleman known as The Englishman, and is befriended by the peaceful, religious man. But when a crooked sheriff and his men murder the Englishman because he plans to supply the local Army fort with his beef, Billy decides to avenge the death by killing the four men responsible, throwing the lives of everyone around him - Tom and Charlie, two hands he worked with; Pat Garrett, who is about to be married; and the kindly Mexican couple who take him in when he's in trouble - into turmoil, and endangering the General Amnesty set up by Governor Wallace to bring peace to the New Mexico Territory.
Member Reviews
Ficticious Account Of Billy The Kid - bwod
Based on a teleplay by Gore Vidal, "The Left-Handed Gun" is a sympathetic account of the life of Billy The Kid, who was a legend of the old west. Originally, James Dean was supposed to have the lead role, but his untimely death led to Paul Newman stepping in to fill the role, after Dean died in a road accident. The problem with Newman in the part is that he is a good ten years too old to be a convincing 2o'ish Billy. Sheriff Pat Garrett shot the wild kid to death at the age of 21, in fact. Newman was already 33 when he made this movie.
Aside from the noted age differential, Newman has way too much gravitas to be acting as the foolish William H.Bonney. He is a serious dramatic actor more famous as a lady's man, than an immature gun-slinger. That said, the movie is not bad, as westerns go. I give it one thumb up, for the star-power of the lead, who was an undeniable force in the world of acting.The Left Handed Gun - Classic1
A young Paul Newman showing his acting intensity
in this classic western. His ability here shows
why his career lasted so long and he will be
remembered even longer. This is the story of
the man known as Billy The Kid and the reasons
his life took the turns it did and how it ended
at the hands of his friend Pat Garret. This
story has been told a number of times on film
but few if any were done better
Member Reviews
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Ficticious Account Of Billy The Kid - bwod
Based on a teleplay by Gore Vidal, "The Left-Handed Gun" is a sympathetic account of the life of Billy The Kid, who was a legend of the old west. Originally, James Dean was supposed to have the lead role, but his untimely death led to Paul Newman stepping ...The Left Handed Gun - Classic1
A young Paul Newman showing his acting intensity
in this classic western. His ability here shows
why his career lasted so long and he will be
remembered even longer. This is the story of
the man known as Billy The Kid and the reasons
his ...