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Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice

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Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice
GenreWestern
Written by
  • Harry Longstreet
  • Renee Longstreet
Directed byJerry Jameson
Starring
Music byArtie Kane
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerJames Arness
Producers
Production locationsTucson, Arizona, U.S.A.[1]
CinematographyRoss A. Maehl
EditorScott Powell
Running time92 minutes
Production companyCBS Entertainment Productions
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseFebruary 10, 1994 (1994-02-10)[2]
Related

Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice is a 1994 American Western television film based on the Gunsmoke series (1955–1975) starring James Arness. It is the fifth and final film.

Plot

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After robbing a train of $30,000, Irish outlaw Sean Devlin and his bandits interrupt their get-away to rob a stagecoach. While defending the coach, Matt's son-in-law Josh is shot in the leg, a traveling barbed wire salesman Davis Healy is hit in the arm, while a widowed mother of two, Hannah Miller, is mortally wounded. Three passing cowboys intercede and chase the Devlin gang off. The stage stops at Dillon's ranch to help the wounded since it is closer than town.

Hannah dies at Matt's ranch house. Her eldest boy Lucas (age 15) sneaks away in the middle of the night to seek revenge with his father's gun belt and deputy's badge. In the morning, Matt heads out after the boy to try to keep him from being killed. Healy, despite his wound, insists on joining the pursuit, causing Matt to question Healy's motives.

Meanwhile back on the ranch, the younger orphaned boy Martin has been left in Beth's care, but he refuses to eat or speak. Beth tries to coax him out of mourning.

Trivia

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During the film it is revealed that just like Lucas, Matt's father was also killed in the line of duty as a lawman, specifically a Texas Ranger. This detail was never mentioned in the entire 20-year course of the television series.[2]

Cast

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Introducing:

  • Kelly Morgan as Lucas Miller

Co-starring:

Featuring:

  • Don Collier as Sheriff (Dillion Ranch)
  • Ed Adams as Waco
  • Wayne Anthony as Hotel Clerk
  • Bing Blenman as Hardcase
  • Tom Brinson as Potter
  • Dave Adams as Sam the Cook
  • Sandy Gibbons as Sheriff Deke Clamber
  • Mike Kevil as Bobby
  • Richard Lundin as Stage Driver
  • Kyle Marsh as Cathy
  • Jonathan Mincks as Fred (Bandit)
  • Billy Joe Patton as Grady (Dillion Ranch Hand)
  • Ric San Nicholas as Al
  • Forrie J. Smith as Donny
  • Robin Wayne as Henry

Reception

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The film received lukewarm reviews[2] but ranked sixth in its time-slot, with a 11.5/17 rating/share, and 35th out of 85 programs airing that week. It completed against five other shows which had higher Nielsen Ratings for its 8-10 PM time-slot: NBC's Seinfeld (4th at 22.0/32), Frasier (6th at 21.1/31), Wings (10th at 18.0/27), and Mad About You (17th at 15.4/23), and FOX's The Simpsons (25th at 13.3/20).[3]

References

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  1. ^ Prouty (September 1996). Variety and Daily Variety Television Reviews, 1993-1994. Garland Publishing. p. 11. ISBN 9780824037970. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Greenland, David R. (August 2013). The Gunsmoke Chronicles: A New History of Television's Greatest Western. BearManor Media. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Ratings Week: According to Nielsen, Feb 7-13" (PDF). Broadcasting Magazine. 123 (20). Cahners: 31. 21 February 1994. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
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