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"THE GUNFIGHTERS: A WILD WESTERN ROMP WITH A BRITISH TWIST"

Donald Cotton’s The Gunfighters stands out in Doctor Who’s third season as a light-hearted spoof on classic Westerns, contrasting starkly with the darker, more serious stories surrounding it. Much like The Romans before it, this serial leans into comedy, but rather than political farce, it takes aim at the clichés of the Western genre, resulting in an experience that is more chuckle-worthy than thrilling.

COTTON’S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Cotton’s sharpest writing shines through in the witty dialogue and exaggerated characterisations, making the script highly quotable and endlessly entertaining. The mistaken identity plot—where the Doctor is falsely believed to be the infamous Doc Holliday—provides a solid comedic foundation, as the TARDIS crew’s attempts to clear their names only dig them into deeper trouble. However, where Cotton struggles is in crafting a palpable sense of tension. The story is mostly a lighthearted romp until the final episode’s shootout, and the cliffhangers lack the usual dramatic peril, feeling more like the end of acts in a stage play.

THE BALLAD OF THE LAST CHANCE SALOON – LOVE IT OR HATE IT

One of the serial’s most divisive elements is The Ballad of the Last Chance Saloon, a recurring song that weaves through the narrative to frame the story. While some find its frequent appearances grating, it undeniably gives The Gunfighters a unique identity, adding a musical storytelling device rarely seen in Doctor Who. Personally, I find it charming and lovely, and I'm ready to defend it until my dying breath.

HARTNELL’S COMEDIC CHOPS AND THE TARDIS TEAM

William Hartnell thrives in comedic settings, and his grumpy yet endearing Doctor is a delight, particularly in his constant attempts to stay out of trouble while being unwittingly dragged into it. His frustration over an aching tooth, leading to an unwelcome visit to Doc Holliday’s dentist chair, is peak 60s Who absurdity. Peter Purves as Steven delivers strong comedic moments, despite looking a little uncomfortable at times, while Jackie Lane’s Dodo is sidelined and mostly relegated to an annoying presence—a trend that sadly continues throughout her tenure.

TERRIBLE AMERICAN ACCENTS AND PRODUCTION QUIRKS

One of the biggest hurdles for modern audiences is the truly dreadful American accents. Even as a non-native English speaker, it’s hard not to cringe at the forced delivery. The decision to have Steven and Dodo attempt American accents themselves—particularly Steven’s Morton Dill-esque drawl—only adds to the unintentional comedy. The sets and costumes capture the Western aesthetic reasonably well, though some moments, such as the awkwardly staged shootouts and exaggerated death scenes, veer into unintentional hilarity.

A SHIFT IN TONE FOR THE CLIMAX

Despite its overall lighthearted nature, the final episode takes a more serious approach as the infamous shootout at the O.K. Corral unfolds. This tonal shift is well-executed, providing an intense and surprisingly brutal climax, with characters dropping left and right in a way rarely seen in Doctor Who. The Doctor, caught between the warring factions, takes a more active role in manipulating events, ensuring history plays out as it should.

VERDICT: A WESTERN SPOOF IN A DARK SEASON

A divisive but undeniably unique Doctor Who story, The Gunfighters thrives on its comedic energy, clever dialogue, and Hartnell’s fantastic performance. However, weak pacing, lack of tension, and some questionable production choices prevent it from being a true classic. Approach it with the right mindset—as a parody rather than a serious historical—and you’ll likely find yourself entertained.

📝7.5/10

RANDOM OBSERVATIONS:

• It's fun to see a take on historical people, from the typically gruff Wyatt Earp, to the vile and scheming Doc Holliday and the inept Clanton brothers and cool boy Johnny Ringo. One of the Clantons even has a stutter to make him stand out a bit more.
• Frequent Dalek voice actor David Graham makes his first of two physical appearances on Doctor Who as the ill-fated barman, Charlie (his next appearance is as the loveable Professor Kerensky in City of Death). His death scene in Part 3 is one of the clumsiest death scenes I’ve ever seen, and I love it. 
• This is the last serial with individual episode titles. Starting from the next serial, The Savages, every serial in Classic Who titles its episodes as “Part X.”
• By the way, why is the Doctor so annoyed about his companion playing dress-up when he likes to do so himself occasionally, and since when does he have a favourite collection of revolvers?
• The singing part at the end of Part 1 is one of the funnier ways to end an episode. Steven looks so uncomfortable when singing under gunpoint while Jackie Lane is clearly not playing the piano for real.