Bandido!

It's 1916. Revolution is sweeping through Mexico. The crowd is streaming north towards the US but only a few are headed south. American arms dealer Kennedy (Zachary Scott) and his wife are getting the royal treatment by Gen. Lorenzo's regulares. They are closely followed by Wilson (Robert Mitchum). He's looking for Colonel José Escobar (Gilbert Roland) and helps the revolutionaries win a battle. They give him the name Alacran, a deadly scorpion. He has a proposal to steal Kennedy's arms shipment.

The first thirty minutes are great. The premise gets a bit iffy at a certain point. I don't see how Wilson would get away with what he does. The escapes are way too easy. The romance is broadly melodramatic and poorly constructed. Obviously, they would torture the info out of the man. The second half has many issues which taints an otherwise fine first half. It does end with some good action although it could be even better.

This film begins in 1916 with a civil war raging in Mexico and refugees heading north in search of safety. Yet even though the vast majority want to cross the Rio Grande River into the United States, there are a few Americans who willingly venture south in search of opportunities that the war can provide. To that effect, the film subsequently focuses on a gunrunner named "Mr. Kennedy" (Zachary Scott) who has just entered Mexico to help finalize plans with the Mexican government to provide arms and ammunition to them. Also with him is his wife "Lisa Kennedy" (Ursula Thiess) who he uses to impress all of the men he does business with. For her part, Lisa doesn't like being used in this manner but, even though she has expressed her feelings about it to him, her attempts have fallen on deaf ears--and their marriage has been seriously damaged as a result. Meanwhile, another opportunist by the name of "Mr. Wilson" (Robert Mitchum) has observed the interaction between the two and, having obtained knowledge of the transaction between Mr. Kennedy and the Mexican government, has devised a plan to steal the arms shipment and sell it to the opposing side. In order to do that, however, he will need all the help he can get and the man he wishes to do business with, "Colonel Jose Escobar" (Gilbert Roland) is not someone who tolerates failure. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this film was produced during a time when good Westerns were in great demand at both the local drive-in and indoor theaters across America. Looking back, although it was financially successful in its own right, I'm not sure it was nearly as appreciated as it should have been. But then again, there were other quality Westerns made during this time as well. So, the competition was rather fierce. Be that as it may, I enjoyed this film and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

"Bandido" is a sort of western settled settled during the Mexican revolution leaded by Emiliano Zapata against the ruling of Porfirio Díaz in the early 20th century.

Robert Mitchum is an American adventurer that makes his living by selling guns to the part that pays better who predictably turns for the just cause. The villain is the always reliable Zachary Scott, obviously in the "wrong" side, married to the amazingly beautiful but wooden Ursula Theiss who obviously too turns her affections to Mitchum. Gilbert Roland is a revolutionary leader who also goes for the guns for his cause.

Though not a great film at all, "Bandido" is an entertaining adventure with a simple script, a rather fast development, impressive outdoor locations (mainly at the seashore), a good colourful photography, romance and well handled action sequences.

Richard Fleischer was a daring all-terrain director who gave as such good products in different genres as "Compulsion", "Soylent Green", "Blind Terror", "The Vikings", "Tora Tora Tora", "Ashanti", "The Boston Strangler" or "The Jazz Singer" (1980). He tries his hand in westerns here and he gets an acceptable movie surely enjoyable for fans of the genre.

There is something fabulous in watching a "B" western movie which never really made headlines or money,and watching two great actors in Robert Mitchum and Gilbert Roland. The story line is standard,scenery average but you have two Hollywood stars doing what they did best. Very few of todays' "stars" have the personality or magnetism of Robert Mitchum and it is always a treat just to watch him on the screen.I watch these movies just to see these personalities jump out at you from the screen,and find very little satisfaction in watching many of todays' movies which lack everything,from direction,writing,and star power.One can only put up with special effects for a short while,this movie is back to the basics,enjoyable to while away a couple of hours and forget the troubles of the modern world.

You can usually count on Richard Fleisher to deliver the goods, and here he does not disappoint. Robert Mitchum as an American soldier-0f-fortune gives a good performance. However, the always reliable Zachary Scott virtually steals the movie in the heavy role. The film was shot on location and that certainly adds to the fun. I recommend this film.