The idea of quick-draw contests being common occurrences is largely something created by writers and filmmakers, not actual history. While there’s the example of Wild Bill Hickok and David Tutt's dispute over a pocket watch in Springfield, Missouri, in 1865, it’s difficult to find much else documented. Back then, if someone wanted to shoot another person, they generally just did it. Even when Wild Bill met his end, Jack McCall simply shot him in the head from behind while he was playing poker. These rare instances weren't about speed; they were more about a willingness to kill and accuracy. Participants would typically stand still and fire until someone went down. I appreciated how this Western approached its premise with seriousness: what if two renowned quick-draw artists encountered each other later in life? With limited opportunities for people possessing such specialized, outdated skills, a high-stakes duel seemed like an appealing way to earn money. The worst possible outcome would be a swift death for one of them. Kirk Douglas was 53 during filming, while his character's counterpart was fifteen years younger, but both actors were portrayed as being about the same age. Seeing them together is reason enough to watch this film, though there are other memorable moments too, such as Keith Carradine’s appearance as a young gunfighter looking for recognition and some quick money. The final duel is particularly well-executed, demonstrating how rapidly it would unfold if someone had both speed and deadly accuracy. Jane Alexander stands out at 30 with her distinctive beauty. Karen Black is also quite striking, even from the perspective of someone who isn’t a huge fan, but she's perfectly fine in her role as a saloon girl of the same age. There's a sense that you become familiar with these characters, their circumstances, and the town itself. I wasn't expecting much going into it, but I was pleasantly surprised. The film’s running time is 1 hour and 29 minutes, and it was filmed in June of 1970 at a movie ranch near Santa Fe, with the bullring scenes shot in Madrid. GRADE: B

Source on TMDB