AniInterview
Sorry, this movie sucks
Beystiman
It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.
Scotty Burke
It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review
Skyler
Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.
Deepak Vishwanathan
Think about a western where the hero goes after a bad guy along with a 7 year old girl, and the bad guy stooges follow the hero along with a woman who cooks for them and has sex with them whenever they feel like it. That is "Shoot Out" for you.I must admit that I have never seen a western quite like this. And even the ending is a bit of a twist. We are waiting for the grand showdown between Lomax and Foley (Lomax's fellow bank robber who then decided to take all of the loot, shoot Lomax in the back and leave him to rot in a prison). But that showdown never happens. Instead the showdown is actually between Lomax and Bobby Jay Jones - the head stooge.Clay Lomax is played by the formidable as always Gregory Peck. A gentle guy, who can be tough as needed. On the other hand, the villains Bobby Jay Jones and his fellow stooges are portrayed as dangerous buffoons, who spend their time cracking silly jokes but fully capable of murdering innocents. Lomax is kind of stuck with 7 year old Decky (who is probably his daughter, but the movie never says it for sure). Decky's mother had died just days ago when they had set out to meet Lomax and return his money after he had gotten out of jail. Decky's sad plight melts Lomax's heart and he lets her tag along, though off and on he tries to get someone else to take care of her. But Decky strikes you as the kind of girl who is fully capable of taking care of herself and then some. A tough cookie just like her father.Lomax and Decky eventually meet a widowed mother called Juliana who cares for them on a rainy night. It is pretty late in the film when she makes an entrance. The only reason for her existence in the film to provide a hint to viewers what will be Lomax and Decky's fate once they get rid of the bad guys.Overall, a good fun-filled film which shows a strong man who is reformed after a stint in jail, and a plucky girl who is determined to let nothing bring her down.
nedby
I always thought Gregory Peck was a competent if wooden actor. He was good where he had to be stiff (Captain Hornblower, for example) but otherwise not one of my favorites. But in this film he shines, not so much that he was so good as much of the rest of the cast was so bad. The little girl even acted circles around much of the adults who were either chewing the scenery or acting in a daze. I had a lot more respect of Peck as a professional after seeing this film.Other than Peck and sometimes the little brat, the film lacked a lot. I don't remember the chief villain in it very well - I saw this when it first came out - but I vaguely recall that he too stood out.
kenneth_sutphin
Lots of action but the same old plot of good, but not too good versus bad, pretty bad. No gratuitous sex and violence in the old style with no gore. Interesting story line of old grudges and the new breed of cowboys learning lessons from the older guys. Gregory Peck is outstanding and out shines the rest of the cast but the bartender, Trooper, does his own shining. Bobby J is the meanest of the bunch but Sam Foley has his own secrets and he does an excellent job. This is one of those you enjoy seeing every few months. This is a tough guy movie about tough guys but one with a heart. It does have a few unexpected turns and twist, especially the kid, and there are several turn of events that keep it interesting with out all the technical tricks of todays fare of flicks.
classicsoncall
"Shootout" begins with an unbelievable scene; when Clay Lomax (Gregory Peck) is released from prison, he's allowed to strap on a loaded gun directly in front of the prison warden. Seems like a more vindictive ex-con could have done some damage.Shortly after, with his mind set on revenge against the partner that double crossed him in a hold up seven years earlier, Lomax inherits young Decky (Dawn Lyn) from a former flame who died en route delivering him a message. There's not much doubt as to the identity of Decky's father, with subtle but numerous references along the way to establish the relationship, not the least of which is the young girl's age as about to be seven. Decky's a precocious and street smart (trail smart?) young lady, and there's a humorous scene where she initiates a sweet con for a saddle pony that Lomax picks up in stride.The drama is provided by the three lunatic ranch hands of Lomax' quarry, Sam Foley (James Gregory). Their job is simply to follow Lomax and report back to Foley on his progress, and they manage to screw that up pretty badly. The nominal leader of this trio of misfits is Bobby Jay, played way over the top by Robert F. Lyons in a manner that you really want to see him get his, the sooner the better. When Bobby initiates a game of William Tell with Lomax and a prairie family as hostage, it sets up the return favor of Lomax dealing with him in exactly the same way when the tables turn at the Foley ranch."Shootout" is somewhat less than a satisfying Western given it's principal star. Gregory Peck's performance appears tired at times, though there are some good moments with his young charge. The confrontation set up by the story line never occurs, as wacko Bobby takes Foley out in a moment of greed. The showdown between Lomax and Bobby is cleverly done, though the conclusion is never in doubt. But can anyone explain why the housekeeper, given the circumstances, didn't just faint dead away?