Death of a Gunfighter movie poster

Death of a Gunfighter

1969 · 1h 34m · Released

PG Western

In the turn-of-the century Texas town of Cottonwood Springs, marshal Frank Patch is an old-style lawman in a town determined to become modern. When he kills drunken Luke Mills in self-defense, the town leaders decide it's time for a change. That ask for Patch's resignation, but he refuses on the basis that the town, on hiring him, had promised him the job for as long as he wanted it. Afraid for the town's future and even more afraid of the fact that Marshal Patch knows all the town's dark secrets, the city fathers decide that old-style violence is the only way to rid themselves of the unwanted lawman.

Read the book by Lewis B. Patten

Ratings

Based on audience scores
6.3 The Movie Database
6.3 IMDb
58% Rotten Tomatoes
69 Metacritic

Where to stream Death of a Gunfighter

Not streaming in the United States right now.

Trailer

Death of a Gunfighter - Trailer

Top cast and crew

Robert Totten Director
AS Alan Smithee Director
Richard Widmark Marshal Frank Patch
Lena Horne Claire Quintana
Carroll O'Connor Lester Locke
David Opatoshu Edward Rosenbloom
Kent Smith Andrew Oxley
Jacqueline Scott Laurie Mills
Morgan Woodward Ivan Stanek
Larry Gates Mayor Chester Sayre
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Frequently asked questions about Death of a Gunfighter

Where can I watch Death of a Gunfighter in the United States?

Death of a Gunfighter is not streaming in the United States right now, though it is available in Canada, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia. Track it in Limelight to get a notification when it arrives on a service you pay for.

What are the ratings for Death of a Gunfighter?

Death of a Gunfighter scores 6.3 on The Movie Database, 6.3 on IMDb, 58% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 69 on Metacritic.

Who stars in Death of a Gunfighter?

Death of a Gunfighter stars Richard Widmark, Lena Horne, Carroll O'Connor, David Opatoshu, and Kent Smith. Robert Totten is the director and Alan Smithee is the director.

How long is Death of a Gunfighter?

Death of a Gunfighter runs 1h 34m (94 minutes).

When did Death of a Gunfighter come out?

Death of a Gunfighter was released on April 25, 1969.

Which studio made Death of a Gunfighter?

Death of a Gunfighter was produced by Universal Pictures in the United States.

Ratings and streaming availability are aggregated from third-party sources; metadata from The Movie Database (TMDB), streaming data from JustWatch. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Streaming availability checked September 2026.

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