Duel dans la Sierra

Jock Mahoney is at his best in this one. Lorne Greene and other notables round this one out

This movie features one of the smartest Western scripts from the time, with a terrific plot line, sharp dialogs, and believable characters. The ending, as has been commented upon, is indeed “short and not settled with firearms,” but there’s three excellent reasons it had to be that way, related to character, plot, and story arch, respectively. I don’t want to spoil any of it, but you’ll see when you see it. You could say, though, that the script’s a little bit too tight-knit/too smart toward the end and maneuvered itself into some predictability. But everything else makes up for it. Another thing I liked about this ’58 movie was that it pretty much managed to avoid stereotyping, endemic to so many Westerns set against the background of the Rio Grande neighborhood. So I guess 9 out of 10 stars would be a fair call.

This film essentially begins with a gunfighter by the name of "Brad Ellison" (Jock Mahoney) riding into a small town to face another gunslinger waiting for him there. Within less than a minute, gunshots ring out and Brad strolls into the local saloon for a drink. While there, he is told that a man is waiting for him upstairs in one of the rooms. Somewhat curious, he goes upstairs and meets a elderly businessman by the name of "John Forbes" (Carl Benton Reid) who tells him that he is dying and offers Brad $25,000 to go to Mexico and bring back his younger brother who has been living there for almost 10 years. He then goes on to explain that he doesn't know exactly where his brother lives in Mexico and the last two men he sent were killed in the process of looking for him. So, with only a unique silver dollar which might help to identify him, Brad sets off on his journey. To that effect, several days later he rides upon a ranch where he meets a wealthy American named "Michael O'Reilly" (Lorne Greene) who tries to dissuade him from continuing on his journey by telling him that the person he is looking for is dead. Unconvinced, Brad leaves the next morning but, in the process, convinces Michael's foreman, "Miles Lang" (Gilbert Roland) to help him out. What neither of them count on, however, is just how dangerous their search will turn out to be. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will say that this turned out to be a decent Western based largely on the performances of both Jock Mahoney and Gilbert Roland. It also features a couple of twists and turns at the end which benefits the movie as well. Be that as it may, I enjoyed this movie for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

Jock Mahoney is terrific here in this enchanted Universal Studios western. An underrated western which deserves to be more widely known, as much as Anthony Mann's or Delmer Daves' films too. Gibert Roland, as usual, plays the hero's sidekick - remember him in THE TREASURE OF PANCHO VILLA, where the lead hero, Rory Calhoun, is close to Jock Mahoney's role. TREASURE...is also from George Sherman. The plot brings nothing special, compared to another western and the scheme of men search for a woman makes me think of Richard Brooks' THE PROFESSIONALS, and the directing, settings, locations, are terrific and contribute to the quality of this B western; I remind you it is under 79 minutes. When I think about Jock Mahoney - in his black leather outfit, I think about LAST OF THE FAST GUNS. This story could have been made ten yeas later, during tje sixties. And the most juicy part is the symbolic in characters clothes; have you noticed that the good guy wears black clothes whilst the evil one wears white suit? EXCELLENT.

A gunfighter named Brad Ellison : Jock Mahoney, is hired by a wealthy and dying elderly man , John Forbes : Carl Benton Reid, to carry out a risked assignment : to look for his brother for leaving him a valuable inheritance , a mine shared with a partner . En route his destination Ellison is assaulted by two bandits with whom he has a deadly duel . Along the way Brad becomes wrapped in crosses and double-crosses. At a ranch he meets a rich owner, Lorne Greene, his beautiful daughter : Linda Cristal and a suspicious foreman named Miles Lang : Gilbert Roland. His Name Was Written With Bullets ¡ .

A story about tarnished gunslingers who pass Rio Grande frontier , between US and Mexico , wether hiding of their wanted for rewards proceeded by US deputies or carrying out some mission as our starring Brad Ellison/Jock Mahoney. A passable western with interesting plot and unexpected conclusion , including thought-provoking dialog among the motley and misfit roles . Stars Jock Mahoney giving an adequate acting as a tough, two-fisted pistolero, subsequently to play some Tarzan movies . Great support cast formed by familiar faces as Lorne Greene of Bonanza , Edward Platt of Get Smart , Carl Benton Reid , Eduard Franz , Lee Morgan and being shot in Mexico, that's why there appears some known Mexican actors as Gilbert Roland , Eduardo Noriega, Rafael Alcayde and co-starring the always gorgeous and recently deceased Linda Cristal who made a prosperous Hollywood career.

Special mention for the briiliant and colorful cinematography by Alex Philips, shot on location in Cuernavaca, Morelos , Tepozlan, Taxco , Guerrero , Vilchis Ranch , and Studios Churubusco Azteca, México and usual backlot Universal studios . As well as evocative musical score addibg Mexican sounds from uncredited Hans J Salter and Herman Stein . The motion picture was well produced by Universal Pictures in medium budget , being compellingly directed by George Sherman in B style. Sherman made reliable low budget fares for Columbia between 1945-48 then moved on to do the same at Universal Pictures for eight years. Sherman especialized almost exclusively in B Westerns there , including The Three Musketeers series which features a young John Wayne. As George Sherman directed a lot of Westerns as The Lone Hand, Santa Fe Stampede, Red Skin, War Arrow, Chief Crazy Horse, Calamity Jane, Relentless, Comanche Territory , Dawn at Socorro, Border River and many others. The only A grade films to his credit were two westerns starring John Wayne : Comancheros 1961 as producer , directed by Michael Curtiz and The Big Jack 1971. He also directed occasional forays into thriller, terror and action genres, often achieving a sense of style over substance. His last films were made in Spain as Find that girl, The new Cinderella and Joaquin Murrieta. Rating : 6/10 .Decent and acceptable oater. The picture will appeal to outlandish Westerns enthusiasts .