NOW ON VOD! Writer-director R.J. Hendricks II saddles up with A Gunfighter’s Deal, a western tale built around the choices that shape a man’s legend. Silas Johnson (Jesse Kove) is the fastest gunslinger in the world, but on this day, he is up against Wesley Harper (Kevin Sorbo) for the fight of his life…and Silas doesn’t have a gun. Jump back an hour, and we meet Chicago reporter Mrs. Redding (Tanya Christiansen), who wants to hear the tales of Silas Johnson.
Not so long ago, Silas was a nobody until he met the beautiful Rose (Tommi Rose), a courtesan at the local saloon. When Silas musters the courage to confess his feelings for Rose, he is bullied by a local and challenged to a gunfight. For Silas, his cooler head prevailed, and he backed down, but not before being labeled a “coward” by everyone. Determined to turn things around, Silas is confronted by a mysterious stranger (Terry Kiser). The stranger makes Silas an offer he should refuse. In exchange for his soul, Silas will become the fastest gunslinger in the world. The only condition is that whenever he is challenged to a gunfight, Silas must kill his opponent. Silas agrees, but quickly learns that making a deal with the devil is a mistake.
Challenged again by the bully from before, and as if he’s able to stop time, Silas quickly wins his first duel. The win gives Silas the confidence to pursue his love, Rose, and the two make plans for a happy future. Of course, the devil has other plans as the line-up of challengers comes fast and furious and Silas begins to reconsider his deal.
“The only condition is that whenever he is challenged to a gunfight, Silas must kill his opponent.”
In case you didn’t guess it, A Gunfighter’s Deal is a morality tale. We are all tempted to take shortcuts in life. If you’re not willing to put the work in, or in the case of Silas, be the man you think you need to be, striking a deal with the devil or turning to dangerous vices or quick schemes is a formula for disaster.
I love seeing the western return, especially from indie filmmakers. R.J. Hendricks II checks all the boxes of the genre, from locale to costumes to guns. If Hollywood won’t make a proper western anymore, give it to indie filmmakers. Yet it all comes down to a solid story and the solid cast that Hendricks has at his disposal. You’ve got Jesse and Martin Kove, along with Kevin Sorbo, who serve as the foundation. It’s clear they love the genre and aren’t afraid to add faith elements to the story. Tanya Christiansen is great as Mrs. Redding, who keeps the story on track as it shifts through a few timelines, and Terry Kiser is having fun as the devil.
What I love about A Gunfighter’s Deal is that we are presented with a traditional western tale, but beneath it lies a message about life and humanity that makes the film perfect for the whole family and can lead to a life-affirming discussion long after it’s over.
"…perfect for the whole family..."
