MovieChat Forums > Appaloosa (2008) Discussion > Bragg's gunfighting nitpicks

Bragg's gunfighting nitpicks


One thing that bothers me about the movie is that Bragg is not built up enough as a gunfighter for the final duel. Its mentioned a few times (by Bragg) that he is skilled with a gun but he has no reputation following him. He really just come across as a rich rancher who has had some experience but no where near the level of skill as the professional gunfighters in the movie. In fact, I feel they missed a chance to have Bragg bring in a "Jack Wilson" specifically for this last duel and built up the hired gun by having him beat/cripple Cole in an earlier fight.

Oh Well. I guess that would just be a different movie.

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...he is skilled with a gun but he has no reputation following him.
I think the opening scene establishes how cold blooded he is.
In fact, I feel they missed a chance to have Bragg bring in a "Jack Wilson" specifically for this last duel and built up the hired gun by having him beat/cripple Cole in an earlier fight.
Well he's already brought in the Shelton brothers who ended up being disposed of by Virgil and Everett. I think if you're talking about him bringing in another hired gun, you've missed the point of the last act.

His murder conviction is quashed through his high level political connections. He resolves to have his revenge on Virgil through legal means becoming a big player in the town; making his job redundant and stealing his woman, who Virgil has been warned will always gravitate towards the "boss stallion".

Everett resolves to personally intervene to keep his friend in the clear and give him a last chance with Ali. Having another gunfighter there in Bragg's place would have just been repetitive.

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Also Bragg is skilled with a rifle. The duel at the end involves handguns. I'm a better shot with handguns because that's what I own, collect and shoot. I'm a mediocre rifle shot because I'm not into rifles. Handguns are harder to use effectively. It's been my experience that many gunowners will own more rifles and shotguns that handguns and for good reason. The rifle and shotgun are more stable, more accurate (especially for the average shooter who doesn't go to the range four times a month) and more powerful.

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After rematching, I have a little bit of a new interpretation. That last scene is the only scene where we see Hitch draw with a pistol. He takes a very polished looking duelist stance compared to just about everyone else who just draws from the hip. It seemed to take Brag by surprise because up until then Hitch is considered by everyone to be the shotgun guy but he kind of reveals himself to be highly practiced pistol duelist at the end. I think Brag sees this once he steps out and he knows he is in trouble.

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I think that Hitch is actually more skilled with the tools and better educated that Virgil. Remember he mentions graduating from West Point (military academy and a four year university) in the narration at the beginning of the movie. He tends to be more reflective while Virgil is a little more blunt and not given to contemplation. It seems to me that while Virgil is the front man (and capable in his own right) it's Hitch that is the dangerous one. He makes an excellent backup man. Quiet, watchful and deadly when necessary. The man who hits you from the flank.

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Jefbecco-1,

I'm going to have to disagree with you here. I believe that Cole has the edge over Hitch
when it comes to gunfighting. Even though Hitch is West Point educated, Cole appears to be a natural. In the movie Hitch even tells another gunfighter that he has never seen anyone better with a gun than Virgil Cole.

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That's right he does say that. Perhaps Cole is just that ....... a natural. Like a natural athlete he does things without really any intellectual effort. Things just make sense and he does them. However what I was looking at is that Hitch is the backup man because he does think about things. In other words he's a tactician and not trusting in what is basically a God-given (or devil given) ability.

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