‘Gunsmoke The Long Ride’ Brought the Western Back in 1993
When Gunsmoke ended its remarkable run in 1975, it felt like the closing of a chapter in television history, especially for Western fans. Luckily for fans, the story of Dodge City and Marshal Matt Dillon wasn’t finished just yet. Eventually, CBS realized there was more to explore. That’s how a new series of TV movies began, giving audiences the chance to see Dillon in his later years. By the time Gunsmoke: The Long Ride aired in 1993, it was the fourth of five made-for-television films that carried the legacy forward.
Arness returned once again, this time stepping into Dillon’s boots as a man in retirement who suddenly finds himself on the wrong side of the law. The film was directed by Jerry Jameson, produced by Norman Powell, and written by Bill Stratton, with Arness himself serving as executive producer.
CBS/Everett Collection
The story follows Dillon after he is falsely accused of murder. A reward is put on his head, forcing him to stay a step ahead of bounty hunters and an angry posse. What made The Long Ride compelling for many fans was the way it asked questions about legacy, honor, and what it means to still uphold the law when the world seems to have turned against you. Filming took place in New Mexico, using locations like Bonanza Creek Ranch, the Cook Ranch in Galisteo, and Santa Clara Pueblo to create the wide-open Western feel that had always been so important to the series.
CBS/Everett Collection
The motivation behind these films was twofold. For one, audiences wanted to know what happened to Dillon after he left Dodge. The TV format allowed for stories that showed him in a different stage of life, dealing with threats that weren’t just about a quick draw but about his reputation and survival. On the other hand, CBS knew there was still an appetite for Westerns among loyal viewers, and a Gunsmoke reunion could reliably draw attention.
The Long Ride ultimately stood as a late-career portrait of Arness’s most famous role. The following year brought One Man’s Justice, the final chapter in the television movies, and then the curtain finally closed for good.
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Wild West- Heroes & Villains
November 2022
Celebrates the unique sense of justice, compassion and adventure in the Old West as seen on TV and in the movies
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