In a small Mexican town, known fugitive Brendan O’Malley (Kirk Douglas) arrives at a ranch owned by an old flame and her husband, before eventually taking on the difficult job of driving cattle back over the border from Mexico to the United States. To complicate matters, Lawman Dana Stribling (Rock Hudson), is hot on the tail of the fugitive, with both Stribling and O’Malley eventually crossing paths and settling their differences. Another solid entry into the classic American Western genre that was released over sixty years ago and is well worth the watch.

Director: Robert Aldrich
Writers: Howard Rigsby, Dalton Trumbo
Starring: Rock Hudson, Kirk Douglas, Dorothy Malone, Carol Lynley

Directed by Robert Aldrich, The Last Sunset is based on the novel Sundown at Crazy Horse, written by author Howard Rigsby. The novel, released just four years prior to the film in 1957, is regarded by many critics as being far darker and grittier than that of the cinematic release. It’s fair to say that the film leans more heavily into character development, drama, romance, and overarching tension across its near two-hour runtime, favouring these more slow and methodical elements over any excessively wild action sequences.

In terms of the cinematography, the entire flick was filmed in various locations spanning around Mexico, with the filmmakers successfully creating an authentic Mexican feel that helped compliment the story being told. A wealth of wide-open landscapes were utilised and managed to stand out, with impressive costume and set design also helping add depth and realism to the picture.

As touched upon, the story leans heavily into a romantic angle, with one or two subplots included that many critics would view as outdated by today’s standards, yet the filmmakers still succeed in creating a genuine sense of emotion and intrigue around each of the key characters, keeping you invested in their eventual outcome, further strengthened by the film’s highly anticipated and extremely well-executed climax that is remembered fondly by fans of the American Western genre even sixty years after its initial release.

In terms of the cast, Rock Hudson starred as Dana Stribling, while Kirk Douglas adopted the role of the fugitive, Brendan O’Malley, with both receiving an equal amount of screentime. Dorothy Malone and Carol Lynley provided suitable support, portraying Belle Breckenridge and Melissa Breckenridge, respectively.

All in all, The Last Sunset doesn’t contain a wealth of action, which may be somewhat off-putting for certain viewers, instead the film manages to convey a more emotional, slow-paced story, centered primarily around the romantic connection between the main characters on display. The Last Sunset also features some nicely crafted pieces of cinematography, showcasing some beautiful landscapes within the country of Mexico. Highly recommended for those sustainable to the classic American Western genre.

“Men kill or get killed and women bury them. We’re professional survivors.”

Belle Breckenridge – The Last Sunset