The Big Gundown
A celebrated gunman’s politically sponsored manhunt becomes a sharp, morally revisionist duel across the Mexican frontier.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- tense
- sardonic
- gritty
- classic western night
- double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an unusually intelligent and stylish spaghetti western, elevated by its performances, music, direction, and set pieces despite some plot rambling.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Corbett is recruited for a Senate candidacy and railway project before being directed toward Cuchillo.
The pursuit begins with an accusation of rape and murder but forces Corbett to reassess Cuchillo's guilt.
Cuchillo's evasive ingenuity and the film's recurring wit interrupt the grim mechanics of the manhunt.
The cane-field chase with dogs and army trackers is staged as a major visual set piece.
Films like The Big Gundown, and why
The Mercenary
shared spaghetti western tradition, morally complex manhunt, stylized violence, and political corruption
Death Rides a Horse
shared spaghetti western form, pursuit narrative, shifting loyalties, and revisionist justice themes
For a Few Dollars More
shared Italian western aesthetics, charismatic gunmen, sardonic humor, and harsh frontier violence
A Bullet for the General
shared Zapata western atmosphere, political intrigue, and morally revisionist action
Movie Details
- Director
- Sergio Sollima
- Release Date
- 1967-03-03
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (189)
Cast
- Lee Van Cleef
- Tomas Milian
- Walter Barnes
- Gérard Herter
- Manolita Barroso
- Fernando Sancho
- Nieves Navarro
- Benito Stefanelli
- Frank Braña
- Antonio Casas
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Big Gundown about?
- A celebrated gunman’s politically sponsored manhunt becomes a sharp, morally revisionist duel across the Mexican frontier.
- What is The Big Gundown like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Big Gundown as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Big Gundown violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Big Gundown as brutal.
- What did critics think of The Big Gundown?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an unusually intelligent and stylish spaghetti western, elevated by its performances, music, direction, and set pieces despite some plot rambling.
- Which films are like The Big Gundown?
- Films with a similar feel include The Mercenary, Death Rides a Horse, For a Few Dollars More, and A Bullet for the General.
- How long is The Big Gundown?
- The Big Gundown runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Big Gundown?
- In United States, The Big Gundown streams on fuboTV.
