Ad alto rischio

This film has Peckinpah character actors throughout, sometimes in cameo roles. There are Peckinpah shots and Peckinpah edits throughout. There are Peckinpah themes throughout. When it looks like a duck and walks like a duck and quacks like a duck - I'm not saying he's the genius directing the whole film; but if he had nothing to do with it, I'll eat my shotgun. And I'm certainly not saying this is a great, or even a good Sam Peckinpah film. But it is a Sam Peckinpah film. So why the silence? Especially on the part of Coburn (Pat Garrett) and Borgnine (Wild Bunch)? Well, at the time Peckinpah's name was the kiss of death in Hollywood, especially to himself. And since it's not a very good film, why add more badness to a bad legend? But this is a Sam Peckinpah film, shot after Cross of Iron and before his brief resurrection working with Don Siegal, and it has some interesting stuff in it. Peckinph fans pay note.

I am a long time fan,and i feel this movie has the best surprise ending of any I have seen.Really good character devlopment,it is certainly a REPEAT VIEWER,but stay with it until the very last or you will miss out.Some of the best action and dialogue are in the closing scenes.

You have to admit that HIGH RISK has a once in a lifetime cast. What other movie gathers together Ernest Borgnine, James Brolin, James Coburn, Anthony Quinn, Lindsay Wagner, Bruce Davison, and Cleavon Little? (Though Borgnine only briefly appears, and Coburn more or less has an extended cameo.) It's fun to see all these actors together, and there is additional merit to be found. The movie shoots on some picturesque Mexican locations, and there is some excitement in the action sequences. The script, however, is kind of a muddle - it's never really explained how the protagonists got the information about the drug lord, his compound, and his safe. That wasn't a real problem for me, but there is still a problem with the movie, and that is with the protagonists. For some reason, I found it hard to sympathize with these fellows - they came across as greedy and not that desperate for money. Also, they make some really stupid decisions along the way, stupid acts that even an amateur in real life wouldn't make. Recommended only when you can't find a better movie.

I absolutely love this film! Whenever I have theatre nachos (which is not often) I think back to 20 years ago when I fell in love with this forgotten gem at the Meridian Quad theatre in San Jose. That's what I ate during the film. They went together perfectly. I had the original one-sheet poster hanging on my wall for awhile. Many people who saw the poster had no idea this film even existed. If it ever comes out on DVD, I'll purchase it. Anthony Quinn was priceless as the bandit Mariano; and Borgnine's one scene is a classic! I recommend it to anyone looking for a genuine diamond-in-the-rough eighties film! Just terrific!

Truth to tell, I doubt much will stay with me from this muddled tale of a group of four friends who parachute (with a Maltese-like pooch!) into fairly dense forest. From their chatting and actions prior to the drop, including the fact that they are purchasing arms of considerable firepower, it dawned on me that these fun-loving city slicks led by James Brolin were actually planning a heist.

The mark: the extremely wealthy James Coburn, who keeps $5 million in his personal vault, and likes to perform as toreador in his own bull ring. Thankfully, dialogue flows fast with attention-grabbing repartee, and some clumsy actions that reflect the level of gullibility and inexperience of these wannabe thieves.

Well, prepare yourself for a bumpy ride requiring heavy suspension of disbelief. You might ask what I found most memorable about HIGH RISK: perhaps the cameo by Quinn as a self-styled "general" guiding a crowd of gypsy-like thieves and assorted criminals and moaning about the rich, or the cameo by Jim Coburn as the tycoon who sees James Brolin and his genial sidekicks steal $5 million from his hacienda-like mansion.

Standard cinematography, repeated shootouts in the middle of lush vegetation and rocky ground, sleazy hispanic gangs, generous gore, sputtering aircraft, plenty of near-impossible stunts.

Doesn't sound like much, does it? Darned right! 6/10.