Cavalgada Infernal

The stars of "Three the Hard Way" reunite for this enjoyable if not classic Western. Jim Brown plays Pike, a tough, honourable trail boss who gives his word to his dying boss (Dana Andrews) that he will take $86,000 in payroll money to a ranch in Sonora, Mexico. Naturally, when people get wind of this large cash windfall, greed completely takes over, and various groups form to try to get that money. One such interested individual is smooth gambler Tyree (Fred Williamson, in a delicious performance), who is the first to accompany Pike on the journey. Along the way they also hook up with a hard-luck prostitute, Catherine (Catherine Spaak) and her half-breed / martial artist companion Kashtok (Jim Kelly). Among the money hungry antagonists in this story is sly, sleazy bounty hunter Kiefer (Lee Van Cleef), who realizes Pike was at one time a wanted man.

The cast, under the guidance of Italian director Antonio Margheriti, look like they're having a fine time, and that feeling is infectious. The reliable Brown has a relaxing low key presence, and he and Williamson continue to have good chemistry. Kelly really is quite good in the role of the mute Kashtok. Van Cleef, who's given his own harmonica-based "theme", is fantastic, as could be expected. You're never quite sure what to expect next from Kiefer. Spaak is touching, Harry Carey Jr., Robert Donner, Charles McGregor, and Leonard Smith offer some amusing comedy relief, and Barry Sullivan is an entertaining villain as crooked lawman Kane. Hal Needham, the films' stunt coordinator and second unit director, appears uncredited as Garmes.

Excellent location shooting in the Canary Islands and a zesty music score by Jerry Goldsmith add to the fun. The action scenes are first rate and exciting, and Brown and Williamson have a pretty intense fight near the end, which is soon followed by a truly impressive set piece.

In summary, "Take a Hard Ride" is a solid, well done Western that should satisfy fans of the genre.

Seven out of 10.

I remember seeing this one as a kid, and really liking it! (Aaah youth!) Well, after watching it as an adult, (Feelings change!) Script was definitely hurting. It could have had great potential! Lee Van Cleef, Jim Brown, Jim Kelly, Fred Williamson! (Actually Jim Kelly as a indian? Well, no, a black man raised as a indian, who everybody calls indian? Running around doing the Billy Jack thing! Go figure.) Aside from that humor, I rate it, 5 out of 10.

(See Buck & the preacher, '1000 rifles' 'Posse' are even better if you want a primary A.A western.)

Take A Hard Ride is both a spaghetti western and a black exploitation film. In this film Jim Brown takes a really large sum to Sonora in Mexico where his dying employer Dana Andrews has started what sounds like a Utopian like settlement. Brown takes on the mission because as a former slave Andrews treated him like a human being. He's feeling a strong obligation there.

But when you're carrying $86,000.00 and that's in 19th century dollars it's not something you keep a secret. Brown has all kinds of people after the money up to and including bounty hunter Lee Van Cleef and even the law itself in the person of Barry Sullivan.

His allies are an uneasy group. Gambler Fred Williamson who is a fast gun and has a way with snakes goes along with Brown with Brown knowing full well Williamson could turn on him. They also pick up a mute Indian played by Jim Kelly who's learned a lot of good karate moves with his tribe.

Take A Hard Ride is a pretty good western for a spaghetti western. I'm not a real big fan of the genre thinking that westerns are to be made in the USA as its our art form. Still with all the Americans in the cast, none of that ridiculous dubbing is here. Brown and Williamson have a good chemistry in their scenes.

Should please devoted western fans.

Take a Hard Ride is directed by Antonio Margheriti and written by Eric Bercovici and Jerrold L. Ludwig. It stars Jim Brown, Lee Van Cleef, Fred Williamson, Catherine Spaak and Jim Kelly. Music is by Jerry Goldsmith and cinematography by Riccardo Pallottini.

Trail boss Pike (Brown) promises his dying employer Morgan (Dana Andrews) that he will travel across the dessert to deliver $86,000 in payroll money to a ranch in Sonora, Mexico. Forming an uneasy alliance with dandy gambler Tyree (Williamson), Pike quickly realises that many other people are aware of his task and want the money; including Bounty Hunter Kiefer (Cleef).

What do you get if you take a large pan and throw in some Spaghetti and Paella, add some Blacksploitation beef and season with Kung-Fu? The answer is Antonio Margheriti's Take a Hard Ride.

It's a fun movie, even unique in some ways, but it ultimately doesn't add up to much more than a series of action scenes, some good - some poor, glued together by a very ordinary and adventurous screenplay. Cast are hugely watchable, with the leads supported by Western pros Barry Sullivan and Harry Carey Junior, and the Canary Islands location is beautifully utilised. Bonus is the score from Goldsmith, who tinkers with traditional Spaghetti Western strains and adds in his own harmonious grace. Apparently Margheriti rearranged much of the score to suit his own editorial purpose, it's testament to Goldsmith's skills that even though the chronological flow of his piece has been defiled, what exists still marries up superbly with the vistas.

It flopped at the box office and it has over the years been the source of much rib poking, however, from an action stand point it often delivers the goods. Bodies pile up, stunt-men and horses (PETA would go nuts!) fly about everywhere, and explosions are not in short supply. Yes it's poorly written and directed without due care and attention, but you may find it hard to dislike on account of its machismo and oddity value. I mean, if you can't enjoy a Western that has Jim Kelly suddenly turning into Bruce Lee and laying Kung-Fu down on some outlaws? Then entertainment is dead... 6/10

A western, shot in Spain, with a twist: Jim Brown and Fred Williamson, folks not normally associated with Euro-made westerns, take it upon themselves to deliver a large payroll to a ranch in Sonora, Mexico, after the ranch owner (Dana Andrews) dies while on the road. Everybody who hears of this -- and I mean everybody -- goes after them. This includes the local sheriff (Barry Sullivan), an army of drifters and gunhands, and bounty hunter Lee Van Cleef, who recognizes Brown as a wanted man from years before. Brown is given minimal dialog, which is a good thing as he is not exactly an actor. Williamson fares better as a breezy card sharp in fancy duds, who carries most of the dialog for the two of them. Not bad. The music, clearly derived from THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, is better than the movie.