Homens das Terras Bravas

The other reviews pretty much explain what this movie is all about. I would like to add a couple of thoughts.

First, this is probably Alan Ladd's last quality production. The photography and locations are all very good, and the cast is solid. Compare those aspects with Ladd's subsequent films, such as "Man in the Net" and "Guns of the Timberland." Those two are definitely disappointing, not up to the standards of a star who excelled in films such as "This Gun for Hire," "The Blue Dahlia," and "Shane".

Second, the ending undermines the film's impact. Viewers who have seen "The Asphalt Jungle" will attest to the fact that the very grim conclusion of that classic seems inevitable and fitting. In the case of "The Badlanders," I suspect that Ladd himself rejected any such ending (if in fact such had been contemplated).

(By the way, the same can be said for an earlier Ladd film. "Thunder in the East" also has a happy ending that virtually defines the term deus ex machina. Had the principles all been killed in that one, it would have had a tragic quality that would have made it much better.)

"The Badlanders" is a good film (though not a great one) despite the above criticism. Had it appeared right after "Shane," it might have been a major hit. Unfortunately, by 1958 Alan Ladd's personal decline was all too evident. Perhaps it was too late for a Ladd film, even a good one, to break through.

Because this remake of Huston's "The Asphalt Jungle" cuts to the chase swifter than the original, it's a much more satisfying version of that story. While it retains much of the strengths of Burnett's script (the crisp dialogue, the class structure of the underworld) it benefits from the Western setting; the gold heist is engaging, the women are better integrated into the tale, the threat is more present.) Alan Ladd, while a bit puffy at this stage in his life, is still charming and clever enough for the lead. Borgnine is a more robust thug than Sterling Hayden ever dreamed of being. And the supporting cast is every bit as colorful and quick in their delivery. (Character actor Tony Caruso appears in both films, a lot more lively as Comanchee.) I have seen this film a dozen times and admire it's efficiency.

Satisfying tale of 2 paroled prisoners who set up to rob a mine belonging to the men who railroaded them into prison. Nice photography, somewhat slack pace. Good characterizations, especially by Borgnine and Jurado. Borgy plays a good man for a change, affecting the Chaneyesque character transformation from violent, angry inmate to a strong-willing individualist on the way to Mexico with the stolen loot. The heroes are surprisingly trusting, given that they had already been cheated by their new "employers". Nice tone, little substance or action.

A virtual Western remake of the notorious crime drama The Asphalt Jungle by John Huston that was based on the novel written by W.R. Burnett , but you'd certainly never prefer it to this classic Film Noir .Turn of the century Nevada, 1888 Arizona Federal Prision , Ladd and Borgnine are two inmates who get their freedom . Released from Yuma prison , their destinies eventually converge in the mining town of Precott . But Ladd seeks vendetta from the people of the small mining town that accused him wrongly , while Borgnine wants to go straight . Later on , the excons scheming a robbing but they are not sure whether they can trust each other enough to stick with the difficult plan they are devised to reclaim the property that's rightfully theirs . Then , things go wrong when they agree a covenant with a powerful and suspicious owner , Kent Smith.

The plot is simple in the wake of Noir Films , it has two ex convicts who plan a gold robbery against Kent Smith who cheated them out of their share in a gold mine ; meanwhile , Alan Ladd and Ernest Borgnine fall for two beautiful women , Claire Kelly and Katy Jurado . It contains thrills , suspense , intrigue , amiable rough-house humour , cross and double cross. Main cast is pretty good such as the sober Alan Ladd and sensational Ernest Borgnine as the tough and honorable ex-inmate. Being accompanied by two attractive girls as Claire Kelly and Katy Jurado as an ex-whore . Support cast is frankly good such as Nehemiah Persoff, Anthony Caruso , Ford Rainey , Robert Emhardt , Adam Williams , Karl Swenson and Kent Smith.

Spectacular ciinematography in CinemaScope, Technicolor , shot in Tucson Arizona , by John Seitz , as well as moving and thrilling stock-soundtrack . The motion picture was well produced by Aaron Rosenberg and compellingly directed by Delmer Daves . Delmer was a cool Hollywood filmmaker who shot all kinds of genres , as Noir : Dark passage, The red house ; Drama: Parrish , A summer place , Never let me go ,Rome adventure ; Adventure : Treasure of the golden condor , Demetrius and the gladiators ; Wartime : Destination Tokyo, Task force and specially Westerns such as The hanging tree , Drum beat , Cowboy , 3:10 to Yuma, Jubal , and his most known film Broken Arrow with James Stewart.

This is the kind of film that you want to find when you sit down on a Sunday afternoon to have some "TV time".

Alad Ladd is as solid and dependable as ever with his usual "cool and unruffled" persona and is probably the least effective of all of the leads!

Ernest Borgnine and Katy Jurado initially look like an unlikely pairing but as the film progresses they "gel" more and more. It would also appear to have been an inspired piece of casting as the actors themselves "paired up" during this film and married the following year of its release! For me the two are the real stand-out performers in this film.

I don't want to say too much more on the other characters for fear of giving plot away but suffice to say there is not a stinker amongst them although I have to say that I felt Claire Smith as Ada Winton was a bit invisible to the point where I actually thought a the end of the film "Oh, is she back then; where did she come from?"

One thing that has puzzled me however is who was the actress that played Vincente's wife? It looked as if it could have been a young Natalie Wood but despite a speaking role (of sorts), there is no credit for her. Whoever it was she has some of the most expressive eyes seen since the silent days!

Overall however and enjoyable yarn with a good solid cast providing a good solid performance.