The Last Sunset (1961)

The Last Sunset is a frustrating film, but one that many will embrace despite its flaws. Although definitely a Western, Sunset is also a soap opera and a character study, not to mention at attempt at distilling Greek tragedy in a different setting. In other words, it's ambitious; unfortunately, its reach far exceeds its grasp. Credit screenwriter Dalton Trumbo and director Robert Aldrich with trying something different, but also blame them for the film's many shortcomings. Trumbo never seems to be able to get a solid handle on what he's trying to do. The story works in fits and starts and gets muddled at many points; at times it seems as if the finished screenplay is filled with the remnants of ideas that didn't work out, but the shells of which were kept in anyway. The "big surprise" revelation, which is clearly planned as being in the classic tragic style but which comes across as merely soap opera, is also telegraphed ahead well in advance and loses considerable impact therefore. For his part, Aldrich can't bring cohesiveness to Sunset. His work is uneven, reflecting the problems of the script rather than disguising them. When Aldrich hits, the film has some flashes of real life and excitement and one can see what kind of film it could have been; but there are too many misses between the hits. The cast does well, especially Dorothy Malone; it's a shame that their fine performances can't patch up the holes in Sunset. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide