No Name on the Bullet is a somewhat subversive western. It takes the concept of a lone gunman who goes into a corruption filled town and sets things right and turns it on its head. This town certainly has some corrupt elements but it functions peaceably despite this. When John Gant (Murphy) rides into town this tranquility is immediately disrupted as everyone begins to panic and turn on one another, each wondering who Gant has come to kill. It's the kind of plot that might work well for a horror film. Trying to quell the madness is the town's doctor Luke Canfield (Drake) who sees Gant's presence in the town as a kind of epidemic, one that he's not equipped to cure. He and Gant have an interesting relationship and develop a certain mutual respect for one another. But there's a real contrast between these characters and their world view. Canfield believes in the value of human life and devotes his life to helping others stay alive. Gant views life quite differently. In his view most people have inner demons and are guilty of some crime. The doctor only serves to drag out their miserable, sinful lives. He, on the other hand, puts an end to them and dispenses justice which places him on a higher moral plain than everyone else because he's the only one who can see past the absurdity. Given the way the townspeople react to Gant's presence it would seem he has a point and this presents a continual challenge to Luke's ethical worldview. What Gant misses, and what becomes apparent when his intended target is finally revealed, is that people can make amends for their past mistakes and better their lives and the lives of those around them. The script does have some problems however as the actions of the townspeople don't always make a lot of sense. Some of them continue to fear for their lives when it should be obvious that Gant has no interest in them.
Despite this issue Coon's psychologically driven script is easily the strongest part of the movie and it brings out the best in Murphy who gets to display a darker side here than he usually would. Casting an actor that audiences were used to seeing as an upstanding hero as, basically, the villain of the piece was a rather inspired choice and helps to reinforce the subversive nature of the film. Jack Arnold's direction is fairly effective, adding a forboding sense to the proceedings but it's also a bit by-the-numbers. Charles Drake is well cast as the upright and compassionate Luke Canfield. The supporting players, all seasoned character actors, also put in solid performances, especially R.G. Armstrong as Luke's down-to-earth, supportive father and Willis Bouchey as the pragmatic Sheriff Hastings. All in all No Name on the Bullet is a somewhat pedestrian western that's elevated by it's unique premise.
Score 8.5/10
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