I picked up this flick as part of a double film DVD offer along with "The Hanged Man" for just a buck, and truth be told, both movies were a whole lot better than either had a right to be for the price. The title on this one was "The Gun and The Cross", close enough to the original to get the message across. The title character wields both, as Marjoe Gortner is revealed to be gunfighter Ernie Parsons, masquerading as a preacher after he finds a real one who was bushwhacked. Donning the clothes of the dead minister, he arrives at the town of Castle Walk just in time to help the local folk deal with nasty town boss Ross (David Huddleston). It's fairly formulaic, with nods to 1952's "High Noon" and 1973's "High Plains Drifter", along with a preview of 1985's "Pale Rider". However with it's own spin on things, it comes across both interesting and entertaining, particularly with the inclusion of Pamela Sue Martin as Gortner's love interest. Their scenes together are played both for romance and camp value, and I got a kick out of Sally (Martin) explaining how she wouldn't be the youngest widow in town if Parsons were to meet his demise.
Along with the principals, you have some fine supporting players doing character portrayals you might have seen before; Slim Pickens as a sidekick of the preacher, Geoffrey Lewis as a hired gun, and Estelle Parsons, who starts out somewhat annoying as Sally's mom. but then settles down a bit to accept the preacher and his mission. The ending comes as just a bit of a surprise, and you have to fill in your own blanks as to the town's reaction, especially Sally's, when Gortner's character realizes Billy's (Pickens) advice is correct. Though it's not likely to show up on TV again, it wouldn't hurt to check out the bargain bins at your local store every now and then to see if this one turns up.
Along with the principals, you have some fine supporting players doing character portrayals you might have seen before; Slim Pickens as a sidekick of the preacher, Geoffrey Lewis as a hired gun, and Estelle Parsons, who starts out somewhat annoying as Sally's mom. but then settles down a bit to accept the preacher and his mission. The ending comes as just a bit of a surprise, and you have to fill in your own blanks as to the town's reaction, especially Sally's, when Gortner's character realizes Billy's (Pickens) advice is correct. Though it's not likely to show up on TV again, it wouldn't hurt to check out the bargain bins at your local store every now and then to see if this one turns up.