‘Masterpiece’ Western with 76% score ‘keeps audiences guessing’ | Films | Entertainment

A Weste,rn film with a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes has been hailed by viewers as a “masterpiece” and is streaming on Sky. The film in question has no trouble keeping viewers hooked, as IMDb users shared the film “keeps the audience guessing” for the whole runtime. Film fans were quick to praise the hard-hitting Western which has managed to subvert genre expectations.

The Jack Arnold-directed feature has received plenty of praise in the decades to follow its release, as many pinpoint the main cast and constant plot twists as a fine example of the Western genre at its best. The film stars World War 2 hero Audie Murphy, though fans have all noted a remarkable difference in his work here compared to other, more heroic roles.

The film in question, No Name on the Bullet, was released in 1959 and features Charles Drake and Joan Evans.

One fan wrote: “A western that I would put on the same scale as Warlock or any other fancy Twentieth Century Fox sophisticated, intellectual stuff, starring Richard Widmark, Robert Wagner or Jeffery Hunter. What a terrific topic, so brilliant… an outstanding, deep psychological character study of a small town community.

“Small community atmosphere has always been evoked in many American films. And also here is one of the most unforgettable Audie Murphy’s performances. So ambivalent, so terrifying. Terrific. Alfred Hitchcock’s spirit is not far from this exciting story.”

Another fan agreed, adding: “Audie Murphy plays the hitman, an against-type role for the war hero. With his baby face and clean-cut looks, it’s hard to believe him, but he does give a cold, emotionless performance that manages to convince you. I’d recommend this movie if you like mysteries like And Then There Were None. It’ll keep you guessing and entertain you all the while.”

A third person writing up their thoughts on the review aggregator website, Rotten Tomatoes, says the film can be ranked alongside some of the all-time greatest Western films.

They wrote: “Jack Arnold’s No Name on the Bullet is an absolute gem, a true masterpiece that deserves complete recognition. With a budget of approximately $550.000, Jack Arnold created a wonderful western with a soul, much better than other western masterpieces like High Noon or Shane.

“This film should rank amongst the five best westerns ever made, next to The Searchers or Rio Bravo and even among the 10 best films ever made.”

No Name on the Bullet is available to watch on the Sky Store.