The Fastest Gun Alive

The Fastest Gun Alive

Year: 1956

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

Director: Russell Rouse

DramaWestern

When the townsfolk learn the former gunslinger George can outshoot anyone, he and his wife Dora flee. A drunken confession reveals his skill, prompting the community to protect him and urge him to give up his weapons. A boy tells the story to a gang of outlaws, whose leader threatens to burn the town unless George duels him.

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Timeline – The Fastest Gun Alive (1956)

Trace every key event in The Fastest Gun Alive (1956) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

George and Dora arrive in Cross Creek under new identities

George Kelby Jr., now living as George Temple, moves to Cross Creek with Dora and opens a general store. He presents himself as a mild-mannered shopkeeper who has left violence behind, but he secretly continues to practice his shooting to stay ready.

Cross Creek
2

Town hears of a feared gunman

News spreads that Vinnie Harold has killed Clint Fallon, fueling saloon talk about legendary gunfighters. The townsfolk debate whether the quiet storekeeper could possibly be one of those famed shooters.

Cross Creek
3

George's gun lore shocks the town

George demonstrates his intimate knowledge of guns and claims he could outdraw Harold, Fallon, and Wyatt Earp. The crowd is skeptical, failing to believe the mild-mannered shopkeeper could be a fast gun.

Cross Creek
4

Harold and his gang arrive

Harold and his gang ride into Cross Creek, fleeing a posse and fixating on challenging George. He threatens to burn the town if he does not face the 'fast gun'.

Cross Creek
5

The church confession

In a church, George admits to the townspeople that he has never been in a gunfight and fears Harold. He explains that the notched gun belonged to his father, a legendary lawman who taught him but never gave him the courage to use it.

Cross Creek Church
6

The reluctant showdown is set

With no other option, George straps on his gun and steps into the street to face Harold. The town holds its breath as the inevitable duel looms.

Cross Creek Main Street
7

The duel ends with both gunmen dead

George and Harold finally face off and shoot; both are killed in the confrontation. The posse arrives to find the street quiet and the townspeople already at work burying the fallen men.

Cross Creek Street
8

The truth of George's survival emerges

It is revealed that George survived the duel. To bury the legend, the townspeople place a coffin filled with stones alongside George’s gun, making it look like a corpse was interred.

November 7, 1889 Cross Creek
9

A quiet life is restored

George uses the ruse to shed the fast-gun legacy and returns to Dora to live a quiet life. He stops carrying the gun and embraces anonymity once more.

Cross Creek
10

Dora supports the decision to live quietly

Dora stands by him, accepting the choice to leave violence behind. Together they rebuild a peaceful home away from the legend that once defined them.

Cross Creek
11

The town quietly carries on, forever changed

The town remembers the duel and the myth of the fast gun, yet settles back into routine with a gentler rhythm. The memory of violence lingers, shaping how the townspeople view the world.

Cross Creek
12

Closure: George faces his devils

George confronts the demons of his past and finds closure by renouncing violence and reclaiming a normal life with Dora. The tale ends with him choosing peace over shared bloodshed.

Cross Creek

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:38

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Westerns about a haunted past like The Fastest Gun Alive

Characters trying to escape their reputation in a world that won't let them forget.If you liked The Fastest Gun Alive, explore other movies about characters burdened by a violent history. These stories, often Westerns or dramas, focus on the struggle for redemption and a peaceful life against the relentless pull of a former identity.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a character who has established a quiet, new life, only to have their dangerous past resurface. This intrusion creates escalating tension as they are pressured, either by external threats or internal demons, to revert to their old skills, culminating in a confrontation that redefines their future.

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Movies in this thread share a focus on the psychological burden of reputation and the theme of redemption. They often feature a steady pace that builds tension from the threat of exposure, a melancholic tone, and a bittersweet resolution where peace comes at a personal cost.

Movies with a tense slow burn like The Fastest Gun Alive

Stories where a looming, high-stakes confrontation creates suffocating tension.Fans of The Fastest Gun Alive often enjoy films that masterfully build tension towards an inevitable climax. These movies use a steady pace to create a palpable sense of dread, making the final confrontation feel both feared and unavoidable.

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Narrative Summary

The plot structure is defined by a foretold climax, such as a duel or showdown. The story's progression is not about if the event will happen, but when and how the characters will endure the agonizing wait, exploring their fear, preparation, and resignation.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared pacing and tone. They feature a steady, deliberate build-up of tension rather than constant action, creating a melancholic and anxious mood. The emotional weight comes from the psychological strain of anticipation.

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The Fastest Gun Alive Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Fastest Gun Alive

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