As a history teacher, I have a lot more knowledge about what the old west REALLY was like...and for the most part it was little like you see in westerns. In the case of this film, there is the famed fast- draw sheriff, young punks wanting to prove they are faster and the famed shootouts on main street...all stuff that really did not happen. Sure, it could have happened once or twice (anything is possible) but the west was a lot safer and civilized than you would imagine if you got your history from films! So, I knew going into "The Last Challenge" that the film was complete fiction...a myth of a west filmmakers WISHED had really been.When the film begins, yet another stupid punk comes into town to challenge the brave Marshall (Glenn Ford). Marshall Blaine blows the snot out of him and the immediate threat is gone. But of course there is another who is on his way to town to challenge the fast- draw sheriff. But something unusual happens--the pair meet on friendly terms while fishing and seem to like each other. Will that change anything or is one of them still destined to assume room temperature? This is a moderately enjoyable film with a finale that is, pretty much, a foregone conclusion. Not a bad movie...just not at all like the real west. Although a shootout between two guys is common in films, in reality lawmen were very happy to just shoot guys in the back or shotgun them or attack the thug with a group. The whole manly shootout to prove who is the fastest is just mythical.

A prophetic title for it was to be Richard Thorpe's last movie;he enjoyed a long retirement for he passed away only 24 years later.He was perhaps tired like his hero,(Glenn Ford)a former gunfighter turned marshal.The ending of the movie is rather pessimistic,which was rare in westerns (there was always something to make up for the unhappy end).The subject is not new (a young lad wants to draw the fastest draw around),only the female character (Angie Dickinson) as the owner of the local saloon and the sheriff's lover stands out:the old Pistolero shows a tendency to react to events instead of initiating them;the prisoner in jail is a drunken Indian and he goes fishing ,leaving his goofy deputy clean the vomit.It seems that Lisa longs for a family life with children (her visit to the farm) but her part is too underwritten."Little house" fans will recognize Kevin -Dr Baker- Hagen as a card player.

Sorry, but I just don't see it the same. For me, this is just one more in a string of not only bad westerns, but bad films made in the '60's. I notice the same thing with war movies made during the decade: The plots are shot full of holes and discontinuities and if not poorly produced and directed, then poorly edited. There seems to be a resurgence in quality starting about '68 with movies such as Bullitt, Bonnie & Clyde and The Wild Bunch, my #1 all-time western.I don't know why, but Hollywood movies in general from late '50's to late '60's, while possibly strong on visuals (scenery, location) are shallow and weak technically and plot-wise. Kind of like American cars at the time: Whatever's put out there will be purchased.

Ex-gunhawk meets up and coming young punk intent on proving his worth by knocking off the king of the heap. Been there, done that. Seems like Angie Dickinson played this identical part in several films; wonder if she got as bored doing it as I did watching. What was with Royal Dano doing his impersonation of an injun? The producer couldn't find the genuine article? Let this one be your last choice.