The Proud and Damned

Chuck Connors is featured in this western about a group of American civil war veterans traveling in South America. After being run out of one country they wind up as the "guests" of a Columbian General intent on conquest. In a situation where they don't have a lot of choice, they agree to go to the town of San Carlos to spy out the city and report back to the General. While in San Carlos they wind up being the "guests" of the mayor played by Cesar Romero. Two subplots unfold involving women and the group, leading to predictable conflict and violence, with a surprising twist for the group's leader, played by Connors. Ultimately battle breaks out with elements of treachery and surprise. Marred by some dumb dialog, this film is recommended only for die-hard western lovers.

"The Proud and the Damned" is a film that was made in 1969 but not released until 1972. This means, most likely*, that the powers that be knew it was a stinker of a film and would lose money...so it just sat in limbo for three years before ultimately being released. Because of this, I had very low expectations for the picture.

The film is about a group of Confederate soldiers who decide to become mercenaries after the US Civil War ends. So, they head to war-torn South America where their services might be needed. Unfortunately, the local authorities seem to know why they are there and order them to leave the country. However, a local mayor (Caesar Romero) sees need of their services and he invites them to stay as his guests. What exactly does he want them to do? See the film...or not.

So is it any good? Well, it's not terrible...but it is, at times, terribly dull and a bit cheap. It's certainly not as bad as I expected....though I expected the worst. Cheap looking despite it's location shoot in Columbia, South America.





*In at least 90-95% of the cases, being shelved is a sure sign of a terrible film. One exception was "Arsenic and Old Lace". When the studio made it, they agreed not to release this Cary Grant film until the play ended its Broadway run. Surprisingly, it was such a hit that it, too, was shelved for a few years until the play closed.

After the Civil War has ended 5 Confederate soldiers led by "Sergeant Will Hansen" (Chuck Connors) have left the United States in search of a new home somewhere in South America. After being chased out of one country they find themselves caught between two rival armies involved in their own civil war. One side belongs to "General Martinez" (Andres Marquis) who demands that these 5 soldiers spy on his enemy for him or risk death. Not having much choice they agree and ride into the village of San Carlos to gather as much information as they can on the other army led by "Dom Miguel" (Cesar Romero). While doing so a couple of them meet two attractive women named "Maria" (Maria Grimm) and "Carmela" (Nana Lorca) who impact their lives in ways neither man can imagine at the time. Anyway, so much for the plot. As far as the movie was concerned I thought some of the characters were too shallow, the action sequences were rather dull, it wasn't well-written and the story just seemed to fall flat. That said, I honestly wasn't too impressed with the overall finished product and as a result I rate this movie as below average.

The Proud and Damned is written and directed by Ferde Grofe Jr. It stars Chuck Connors, Cesar Romero and Andres Marquis. Music is by Gene Kauer and Douglas M. Lackey, and cinematography by Remegio Young.

1870 and five ex Confederate mercs arrive in South America and become embroiled in another Civil War of sorts...

Pretty poor offering, a pic that was completed in 1969 but wasn't released until three years later, one can only think that after viewing it, some financial backer saw it for the dud it is and refused release! The plot principal is sound, the fact it's a Western filmed in Columbia and set in South America (the place unnamed) is an interesting point of note, plus Connors and Romero at least have fans from which to launch potential for cult fandom. But hopes of a good film are dashed quite early.

Is being boring a valid criticism? Well yes it is, and this is a snore bore. The cast turn in auto-cue acting, all of them saddled with direlogue, the editing is messy, and the musical score irritating as it fluctuates between sorrowful guitar to bandido marching music, with some flamenco type jolly that's out of place as well, and what little action there is is laughably constructed. A bold turn of events in the narrative is worth a point at least, as is the outcome of it all - though it doesn't really make grounded sense - but ultimately this is one that deserves to stay obscure. 2/10

It is so obvious that Ferde Grofe Jr was more than inspired by Sam Peckinpah's WILD BUNCH and John Sturges' MAGNIFICENT SEVEN. It kas place in mexico where former Confederate soldiers, outcasts, cross the Mexican border before being tragically involved with a Mexican renegade geeral, brutal, blood thirsty high rate officer. Then our bunch will decide to save a poor village from the villain....Even a dumb could see what I am talking about. A typical seventies western. Counter culture best example. Melancholy, gloominess, lost ideals, friendship in bitterness....Everything I have always craved for in a movie. Ferde Grofe has never been a great not even a good director, but let's be indulgetnt and fair, he is not the worst ever either.