Mandrakegray

If "The Wild Bunch" is Peckinpah's masterpiece (and it is)...then "Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia" is the master director's "other masterpiece". Dark, funny and violent...once seen you'll never forget it. The movie's ambiance of desperation is so thick...especially during the film's second half...that you find yourself hoping that Bennie succeeds in his journey. Not because you relate to the character (he's a shady piano player...willing to gamble everything for a shot at reward money), but because of his sheer single mindedness...once he loses what matters most to him...he's really already dead. What's left is a man stripped down to two mindsets...1.) completing his task and 2.) revenge. It's in the handling of this that the movie reaches true greatness.

The movie is a fever dream caught on film...psychotic...naked...and raw. It skates so close to imploding on its own pretensions...yet by film's end, Peckinpah somehow makes it all work. Thanks in no small part to one of the great American actors of all time...Warren Oates. Oates always delivers...but I'd rank his work here above his amazing turn in "Cockfighter". Knowing that the actor was basically playing Peckinpah himself, makes this an especially interesting performance for fans of both mavericks to look at.

The fact that most critics hated the film upon release only adds to the movie's legend. Those critics were clearly wrong (I'm talking to you Mr. Medved) and its nice to see the movie get the praise it always deserved. Add to that the fact that this is the only film of his that Peckinpah had final cut on...and you have what is probably the most "honest" film of his impressive career. One of the great films of the 70's.

Bogey is picked to lead a jewel heist at a resort. When he meets the rag tag team he has to work with, he senses trouble brewing. This is the film that brought attention to Bogart's leading man skills and Huston's peerless writing. Many remember the classic ending with Bogart hiding out in the mountains for one final stand against the law (and fate). Ida Lupino is one of my favorite actresses from the 40's and does fine work here (and looks stunning). Many fine moments with Bogey...including a memorable speech within his cabin hideout. This is one of the best portraits of a desperate outlaw in film history. A blueprint for all the antihero films that would follow over the years...great fun! Seek it out and enjoy!

Here's a movie that simply leaves me floored each and every time I view it... Kurosawa directs the action and drama with equal mastery...in my opinion (and with all due respect to Hitchcock, Kubrick and Spielberg) he is the greatest director of all time...as this epic clearly shows.

Then there is the presence of the peerless Toshiro Mifune...playing a samurai that is a far cry from the worldly, experienced warrior he played in his future Kurosawa pairings that made him an international star.

Perhaps the aspect of the film that still resonates with movie buffs worldwide (along with the great battle scenes) is the universal appeal of the story. The list of greats that mention being inspired by this movie is long and impressive...if you've never seen this classic, make it a priority...you'll soon be adding your accolades to these pages.

Enjoy!!!