Os Destruidores

This topic has been made at least one billion times in Hollywood history, western or crime genre. One man against several evil ones, so nothing new here. But the directing, castig, acting, every second of this pure awesome movie contributes to keep you glued, stuck to this story, a masterpiece of psychological character study, as NO NAME ON THE BULLET is for instance; though the story was not exactly the same. Jeff Chandler was purely outstanding and makes his death a couple of years later even more painful to accept, to digest. I will never get tired of this movie. Never.

1960's "The Plunderers" was a relatively overlooked Allied Artists release that at first glance might pass for "Rebel Without a Cause" out West. Trail City TX is a quiet, unassuming town where four weary youths decide to hang out after getting fleeced in Dodge City: Ray Stricklyn is their nominal leader Jeb, Roger Torrey his massive sidekick Mule, Dee Pollock's Davy the youngest and least experienced, John Saxon's Mexican Rondo pegged as the most dangerous. Sizing up the townsfolk with newfound bravado, the foursome spend one night in the prison cell of Jay C. Flippen's aging Sheriff, after refusing to pay saloon owner James Westerfield for a bottle of whiskey. Rather than ride out in the morning as they promised, they turn to robbing shopkeeper Jess Walters (Vaughn Taylor) out of $73 worth of clothes, then hold up at widow Marsha Hunt's hotel. All this is witnessed by Jeff Chandler's crippled Civil War veteran Captain Sam, the town's only chance to fight back despite a useless right arm, trying hard to keep out of the fray until he finds his courage restored by the love of Dolores Hart's Ellie Walters, daughter of Jess, whose virginal appearance proves most alluring for Saxon's lustful Latino. A nice change to find two beautiful women vying for Chandler's affection, one an experienced widow, the other little more than a child, yet both displaying more courage than their male counterparts. An early character role for former teen heartthrob John Saxon, well cast in villainous mode, his wanton assault on Ellie resulting in claw marks on his once handsome cheek (note the swinging lamp reflected in the mirror during this attack). The lone feature from Jeff Chandler's own August Productions (he would die a year later at age 42), he chose his favorite Universal director Joseph Pevney, soon to make a smooth transition to television, helming a record 14 episodes of Gene Roddenberry's STAR TREK.

Typical Western of tough guys bullying a town, yet the acting and dialogue make it very entertaining. John Saxon steals the film even though he sometimes overplays his Mexican accent. Veteran character actor Flippen is also a standout. Pretty good overall.

Four young armed cowboys ride into town. Jeb, Rondo (John Saxon), Mule and Davy have been driven out of Dodge City. They don't pay for Whiskey and ask for the Sheriff. Sheriff McCauley decides not to wear his guns and all they want are warm beds in jail for the night. Once released, they start taking stuff and refusing to leave. Ellie Walters (Dolores Hart) is the beautiful store owner's daughter. One armed war veteran Sam Christy (Jeff Chandler) seem to avoid trouble.

This is obviously calling out the youth of its day. These four could be rock-n-rollers or greasers or bikers or general delinquents during its time. The town is full of old folks and helpless youngsters. Westerns are the films of older folks and younger kids. This is black-and-white moral delineation.

I am surprised this isn't a better known western. It's a moody and sparse western that follows 4 young men who turn up in a little town and take it over.

It's an interesting story as I imagine that there were quite a few towns with aging populations that were vulnerable to being taken over by gangs looking for an easy life.

The acting is generally good although I was particularly taken with the lead actor Jeff Chandler who seemed a little stiff (he sadly died a year or two after this film). The gang are pretty good portraying a quiet menace. Only one went on to have a long movie career, John Saxon as Rondo. The back up cast are all solid and the stunning Dolores Hart adds some welcome glamour.

Although this isn't an action packed film thanks to a nice script it manages to hold your attention throughout. There is a great air of tension built up as the gang terrorize the town. The ending is maybe a little predictable but still nicely done.

The Plunderers is worth catching for lovers of the western genre.