Mackenna's Gold

This movie has just about as much wrong with it as right. While the plot involving greed and a search for gold is excellent and there was a good movie underneath it all, several things help to derail the production and keep this from being a better film--despite its wonderful cast. First, the beginning and ending song by Jose Feliciano is very dated and very annoying. I hated it thoroughly. Second, a lot of really fine character actors enter the film and unfortunately, in most cases, they die so quickly and without making much of an impact on the film, it's a real waste. Third, the ending is great if you have a strong ability to suspend disbelief AND you believe in a lot of spiritual mumbo jumbo. I didn't and so I thought the ending was pretty dopey. Gregory Peck is fine in the film, as always, but I thought it very odd that they cast Omar Sharif as a Mexican and Ted Cassidy and Julie Newmar as American Indians but this is only a minor quibble.

This grand, sprawling western is an entertaining picture with mega cast names that results in an enjoyable adventure. Gregory Peck and Omar Sharif are the main adversaries here as a diverse group of ranchers, soldiers and assorted types search for a hidden canyon of gold in Indian country. The expensive production has several cameo appearances of stars well past their prime and a message about greed and the corrupting influence of gold fever and the risks people take to acquire untold wealth. There are two women in the story, one to meet the romance requirement while the other represents pure menace. The great beauty of the American west is the highlight of the picture as the plot plays out against the deserts, mountains and canyons of the great southwest. Indians are the main danger but the party of whites have their share of infighting with gun fights, chases and double crosses. The film was one of Hollywood's last great screen westerns.

Have to say this movie must have been a nightmare to make and work on..it's got a massive all top notch cast..and I'm sure top crew and technical ..for1969... it's entertaining but..it switches all the way through from actual location footage..in the desert etc..to studio matched and what I assume is/ was back projection stuff..! Sets to location..back to location and sets..in the edit I suppose.. so editors must have had a hard job.. plus the actors.. all the close ups are back projection..mainly..and long shots in the real location..I wouldn't be surprised if they used standings..as long shots are hard to tell who's who...and obviously stunts are all stunt people.. maybe it's just1969 or the director who cut it like this..but by modern standards it's a bit ropey".. but..it still stands up as a good action movie..seeking the gold etc.. I was surprised all the big stars got shot in the cavalry ambush..but.I suppose it saved the massive budget a bit... bits of saucy nudity in bits in the watering hole.. but the way it's shot ..results in a slightly surreal" experience! It also cuts between lots of not too bad model shots.. the horse on the rope bridge..and the watering hole mountains..obviously we are used to cgi these days.. this is reminiscent of thunderbirds".. luckily they edited it so quick you hardly notice..ha.. watering hole was definitely a studio tank..undercut maybe with a real waterhole... I wrote this because it struck me as so disjointed and rather strange I figured others must have picked up on it.. it's not bad for a 60s biggish budget movie.. Saturday afternoon tv movie.. anyone like to comment??. I think I'll leave it there!.. good old Gregory peck..he holds it all together with his charisma. Aplomb..grit and understated acting.. a true star... sadly no more.....

Its got everything! Two fisted action! Gorgeous females! Catfights! Gregory Peck! Camilla Sparve! a Whos Who of yesterdays character actors! Hokey dialog! Excellent Special Effects! Great scenery! Ultra-Panavision™! Directed by the guy who did Bridge Over River Kwai! ah well, according to several sources this movie was supposed to be over 3 hours long, and was going to come out as a Cinerama-type Road Show...but the days of that were dying and Columbia got cold feet, so it was cut to a little over 2 hours; There are some minor differences between 35 and 70mm prints; This movie is a hoot-see it!

See it – This is "Indiana Jones" disguised as a western. It is overflowing with action and adventure as a group of outlaws, Indians, soldiers, townspeople, and a sheriff played by Gregory Peck search for fabled treasure in the old west. The impressive cast also includes Omar Sharif, Telly Savalas, Eli Wallach, Edward G. Robinson, and Lee Cobb. Although most movies during this time period were very family friendly, be aware that in addition to some violence, this movie has one of the first female nude scenes in a western. So keep it in mind before watching it with the kiddos. But if you are looking for a movie with non-stop action, this is one of the most action-packed, epic westerns you'll ever see. You've got Indian fights, cavalry fights, gunfights, knife fights, tomahawk fights, and…belt fights? No joke.