Younger audiences may not be aware of the iconic television series Gunsmoke, but those of a more experienced generation realize that it was one of the most culturally significant shows to come out of the twentieth century. Set in the town of Dodge City, Kansas, the show explored the settlement of the American West under the eye of lawman Matt Dillon (James Arness). Up until very recently, it held the record for the longest running US live-action series on television at 20 seasons and 635 episodes. Law & Order: SVU may have surpassed it in number of seasons, but it still reigns supreme in number of episodes, where it is only surpassed by the animated classic The Simpsons. While the series is not one that I’m particularly attached to on a creative level, it holds a special place in my heart for featuring a character my mother loved enough that she thought I should be named after him. Gunsmoke departed from the airwaves 1975, but it returned for a series of television movies beginning in 1987. Three of these films are included in Gunsmoke: The Complete Movie Collection.
Return To Dodge (1987)
Retired US Marshal Matt Dillon, now a fur trapper, is knifed by thieves, brought back to Dodge, and nursed by Kitty Russell. He is hunted by vengeful past nemesis, Will Mannon, who has sworn to kill Matt, and holds Kitty hostage in exchange for a final showdown.
The initial television film happens to be the best of the three. While you may get more from the story if you have watched the series, you will still be able to find your footing if you are coming into this film blind. Arness returns as Dillon, a little more grizzled, but still the self-assured presence who is destined to save the day. Steve Forrest is quite intimidating as the antagonist of the picture, which makes the stakes seem all the higher. As you learn through watching these films, the series is not afraid to create a sizable body count while breaking your heart over some tough losses. This was the final time Amanda Blake was able to play the iconic character of Miss Kitty, and this acts as a fitting swan song to her character. Even if this tale was not connected to Gunsmoke, it would still rank as an entertaining western film.
The Last Apache (1990)
In this movie Dillon goes after a renegade Apache named Wolf (Joe Lara) who has taken his daughter captive. As a bargaining chip, Dillon helps two sons of Apache chief Geronimo out of the fort stockade and offers them in trade. Dillon is aided by an Army scout, Chalk Brighton (Richard Kiley).
In this second film, the writers had to pivot creatively to account for the unfortunate passing of Amanda Blake the year prior. The solution was to expand on an atypical episode from the original run in which Matt loses his memory and his heart during a brief liaison with “Mike” Yardner (Michael Learned, The Waltons). Learned returns in the role of Mike where she has to reveal to Dillon that they had a daughter together, Beth (Amy Stock-Poynton), who has been kidnapped. The interpersonal moments between Dillon and Mike are delightful to see, but the Apache storyline just feels too problematic, especially with someone who does not appear to be Native American playing the role. The film seems to be sympathetic to Native Americans in the end, but it all just feels clumsily handled. While the audience who watched the series religiously may not find issue with the story, it did not work for me personally.
To The Last Man (1992)
Hapless rustlers make the fatal mistake of stealing Matt Dillon’s cattle, and Dillon blunders into the gory Pleasant Valley War during the process of hunting them down and killing two of them.
In this final of the three film, Dillon returns, along with his daughter, Beth, to face a truly devious group that deals in the more culturally acceptable misdeeds of cattle theft and land feuds. Dillon once again comes face to face with a devastating loss, while simultaneously entering into a complicated relationship with one of the culprits. This particular story has some interesting arcs that show a depth to the characters that is quite impressive. It is nice to see Dillon able to bond more with his daughter in this film, even if the absence of Mike is felt. To The Last Man ranks just behind Return to Dodge in terms of enjoyment. The way this series weaves in real events like the Pleasant Valley War makes the proceedings feel all the more authentic.
Video Quality
Gunsmoke: The Complete Movie Collection comes to DVD with a decent 480p transfer that suits the movies fine. You can tell that these films have not been significantly cleaned up or remastered, as there is quite a bit of softness and age related wear throughout. Oddly enough, the earliest film, Return to Dodge, looks the best of the three films. Skin tones look pretty good, but the presentation offers up little in the way of fine detail. Colors are a bit flat and black levels are subject to some crush and compression artifacting. Thankfully, CBS Home Entertainment put each film on its own disc, so they at least have a little room to breathe. These episodes are not beautiful, but fans of the series will probably consider it a win that these were even released physically.
Audio Quality
These DVDs come with a Dolby Digital 2.0 track that mostly does everything it needs to do well. Dialogue is pretty clear throughout, with only occasional moments where things sound a bit fuzzy due to the quality of the source material. This is not a persistent issue, but it should be noted that these issues exist. The track does feature some nice instances of environmental sound effects that are pleasant to hear. This presentation is about as good as the source material will allow.
Special Features
There are no special features included in the collection.
Final Thoughts
Gunsmoke: The Complete Movie Collection is an important release for one of the most beloved Westerns to ever permeate the culture. While not all of the films are homeruns, there is a lot to enjoy as you reconnect with your old friends from the series. This release is primarily geared towards those with an appreciation for the series, but those looking for a couple entertaining Western tales might find enjoyment here without the built-in history. CBS Home Entertainment has released a package that is about as good as can be without extensive, expensive remastering. Fans of the series will appreciate being able to round out their collection with this release.
Gunsmoke: The Complete Movie Collection is currently available to purchase on DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the DVD.
Disclaimer: CBS Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
