The spirit of the Old West returns to the screen this November with “Long Shadows,” a new feature filmed entirely at Old Tucson Studios — the iconic frontier movie set just west of the city. 

The film, anchored by sweeping saguaro-dotted horizons and sunbaked streets, revives the classic Western tradition while grounding its story in emotional depth and modern sensibility.

The project marks the directorial feature debut of William Shockley, best known to television audiences as Hank Lawson in the CBS series “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.” In “Long Shadows,” Shockley explores the psychological journey of a young man shattered by violence. The character is caught between vengeance and the possibility of redemption — a battle that blurs the line between reality and memory.

“This is a Western about tragic loss, about redemption, good over evil,” Shockley said. “Most importantly, it’s about having that second chance at life and love.” He emphasized that the film remains family-appropriate, despite its gunfights and gritty themes. “It’s something you can take your family to.”

The film was shot in just 20 days at Old Tucson, a location synonymous with Hollywood Westerns since the 1930s. The studio has served as the backdrop for classics including “Arizona” (1940), “Rio Bravo” (1959), “Three Amigos” (1986) and episodes of “Bonanza” and “Little House on the Prairie.” After closing to the public in 2020, the site was revived under new management, reopening in 2022 with renewed focus on film production and immersive events. It remains one of the most recognizable Western sets in the United States — a preserved cinematic landscape of weathered saloons, hitching rails and wind-worn facades.

“I’ve been doing projects in Tucson for about 15 years, so I knew immediately this was the perfect location,” Shockley said. He was determined to film not only the well-tread main street but also the lesser-seen edges of the property. Viewers will spot the water wheel, the old train car resting beyond the central town set and other corners rarely committed to film.

“I promise you, I shot every square inch of Old Tucson Studios,” he said with a laugh. The result is a film where the land is not just scenery — it’s a character. The desert’s stark beauty mirrors the emotional terrain the characters must cross: Vast, unforgiving and full of quiet, stubborn hope.

For Tucson audiences, the viewing experience comes with an extra layer of meaning. The landscape is unmistakably home. The dust, the silhouettes of saguaros at sundown, the familiar mountain line — they form a backdrop that feels both intimate and mythic, connecting the region’s cinematic past to its present.

Old Tucson has long held cultural significance beyond entertainment. Film historians note that Westerns shot there played a role in shaping national imagery about the frontier — often romanticized, sometimes flawed, but deeply influential. Today, productions like “Long Shadows” engage with that legacy more reflectively, blending storytelling tradition with contemporary emotional realism.

“Long Shadows” opens for Tucson audiences on Nov. 7 at Tucson Spectrum 18 and AMC Foothills.