Kampf auf Leben und Tod

This is a western but the plot could be that of a film noir ,a thriller: a wealthy man in a wheelchair hires a gunfighter to find back his brother and heir;he probably won't live that long and he does not want his fortune to fall into the hands of an unscrupulous associate.

The story is a quest and the identity of the brother which I will not reveal of course, for it's one of the few surprises of the film, is a bit unexpected ,but all in all,makes sense .The female star,Linda Cristal has not really many things to do (except for a bath in her birthday's suit ,but no close shots!);Lorne Greene as his dad has not much to do either.

This film essentially begins with a gunfighter by the name of "Brad Ellison" (Jock Mahoney) riding into a small town to face another gunslinger waiting for him there. Within less than a minute, gunshots ring out and Brad strolls into the local saloon for a drink. While there, he is told that a man is waiting for him upstairs in one of the rooms. Somewhat curious, he goes upstairs and meets a elderly businessman by the name of "John Forbes" (Carl Benton Reid) who tells him that he is dying and offers Brad $25,000 to go to Mexico and bring back his younger brother who has been living there for almost 10 years. He then goes on to explain that he doesn't know exactly where his brother lives in Mexico and the last two men he sent were killed in the process of looking for him. So, with only a unique silver dollar which might help to identify him, Brad sets off on his journey. To that effect, several days later he rides upon a ranch where he meets a wealthy American named "Michael O'Reilly" (Lorne Greene) who tries to dissuade him from continuing on his journey by telling him that the person he is looking for is dead. Unconvinced, Brad leaves the next morning but, in the process, convinces Michael's foreman, "Miles Lang" (Gilbert Roland) to help him out. What neither of them count on, however, is just how dangerous their search will turn out to be. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will say that this turned out to be a decent Western based largely on the performances of both Jock Mahoney and Gilbert Roland. It also features a couple of twists and turns at the end which benefits the movie as well. Be that as it may, I enjoyed this movie for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

A gunfighter named Brad Ellison : Jock Mahoney, is hired by a wealthy and dying elderly man , John Forbes : Carl Benton Reid, to carry out a risked assignment : to look for his brother for leaving him a valuable inheritance , a mine shared with a partner . En route his destination Ellison is assaulted by two bandits with whom he has a deadly duel . Along the way Brad becomes wrapped in crosses and double-crosses. At a ranch he meets a rich owner, Lorne Greene, his beautiful daughter : Linda Cristal and a suspicious foreman named Miles Lang : Gilbert Roland. His Name Was Written With Bullets ¡ .

A story about tarnished gunslingers who pass Rio Grande frontier , between US and Mexico , wether hiding of their wanted for rewards proceeded by US deputies or carrying out some mission as our starring Brad Ellison/Jock Mahoney. A passable western with interesting plot and unexpected conclusion , including thought-provoking dialog among the motley and misfit roles . Stars Jock Mahoney giving an adequate acting as a tough, two-fisted pistolero, subsequently to play some Tarzan movies . Great support cast formed by familiar faces as Lorne Greene of Bonanza , Edward Platt of Get Smart , Carl Benton Reid , Eduard Franz , Lee Morgan and being shot in Mexico, that's why there appears some known Mexican actors as Gilbert Roland , Eduardo Noriega, Rafael Alcayde and co-starring the always gorgeous and recently deceased Linda Cristal who made a prosperous Hollywood career.

Special mention for the briiliant and colorful cinematography by Alex Philips, shot on location in Cuernavaca, Morelos , Tepozlan, Taxco , Guerrero , Vilchis Ranch , and Studios Churubusco Azteca, México and usual backlot Universal studios . As well as evocative musical score addibg Mexican sounds from uncredited Hans J Salter and Herman Stein . The motion picture was well produced by Universal Pictures in medium budget , being compellingly directed by George Sherman in B style. Sherman made reliable low budget fares for Columbia between 1945-48 then moved on to do the same at Universal Pictures for eight years. Sherman especialized almost exclusively in B Westerns there , including The Three Musketeers series which features a young John Wayne. As George Sherman directed a lot of Westerns as The Lone Hand, Santa Fe Stampede, Red Skin, War Arrow, Chief Crazy Horse, Calamity Jane, Relentless, Comanche Territory , Dawn at Socorro, Border River and many others. The only A grade films to his credit were two westerns starring John Wayne : Comancheros 1961 as producer , directed by Michael Curtiz and The Big Jack 1971. He also directed occasional forays into thriller, terror and action genres, often achieving a sense of style over substance. His last films were made in Spain as Find that girl, The new Cinderella and Joaquin Murrieta. Rating : 6/10 .Decent and acceptable oater. The picture will appeal to outlandish Westerns enthusiasts .

Gunfighter Miles is hired to go south of the border to find a dying man's missing brother. However, things are more complicated than they seem.

Generally underrated western, with good scenic Mexican locations, a non-clichéd plot, along with a few good twists and a colorful cast. Getting Roland, Greene and Franz was a real coup since each is a very distinctive presence. Mahoney certainly looks the part of a western hero, but is a rather bland actor, not to the extent of being a problem, however. Director Sherman makes creative and compelling use of the locations and I especially like the shack set against the cliff; it's like nothing else I've seen. Unlike many oaters set in Mexico, this one comes across as genuinely persuasive. Cristal's role (Maria), surprise, surprise, is little more than eye candy, but I don't blame Ellison (Mahoney) at fade-out. Anyway, don't let the first tame 20-minutes or so fool you, the twists and action pick up considerably.

Jock Mahoney is terrific here in this enchanted Universal Studios western. An underrated western which deserves to be more widely known, as much as Anthony Mann's or Delmer Daves' films too. Gibert Roland, as usual, plays the hero's sidekick - remember him in THE TREASURE OF PANCHO VILLA, where the lead hero, Rory Calhoun, is close to Jock Mahoney's role. TREASURE...is also from George Sherman. The plot brings nothing special, compared to another western and the scheme of men search for a woman makes me think of Richard Brooks' THE PROFESSIONALS, and the directing, settings, locations, are terrific and contribute to the quality of this B western; I remind you it is under 79 minutes. When I think about Jock Mahoney - in his black leather outfit, I think about LAST OF THE FAST GUNS. This story could have been made ten yeas later, during tje sixties. And the most juicy part is the symbolic in characters clothes; have you noticed that the good guy wears black clothes whilst the evil one wears white suit? EXCELLENT.