James Stewart and Dean Martin were great in this movie but George Kennedy and Raquel Welch were also outstanding. It is shown regularly on the Starz Encore Western Channel but unfortunately Starz did something on their website and you can't get movies coming in the future on their channel which hurts the planning.
shareI sure would have loved to see the "great movie" cut because the one that I have seen is sure not great. In fact, it's pretty bad!!
shareWhile I wouldn't call this a great film, it's pretty solid and a bit underrated. Much better than some of the more well-known classic westerns.
You want something corny? You got it!
IMHO "Bandolero!" is Western filmmaking of the highest order and not to be missed. It's inexplicable that it's not cited on more Best Western lists.
The first 45 minutes involves the capture, attempted hanging, and escape of the Bishop Gang, and it's a memorable sequence. Some people complain about Stewart and Martin as brothers but I've seen many brothers in real life that look more different than they do.
Even though Martin plays an outlaw he's portrayed sympathetically. It's implied that the war corrupted him and he simply doesn't know any other way of life. He's weary of the outlaw lifestyle and desperately wants out. Mace and Maria (Welch) offer him succor by way of lucre and love respectively. They dream of a new life in Montana. There are just two problems: Kennedy & his posse and a gang of wild Mexican bandits (bandoleros).
Although there are some low-key amusing elements, the film is essentially a serious Western with quality adventure and drama. It potently explores themes of loyalty, temptation, seeking & finding true love, the repentance/forgiveness principle, the folly of the criminal path and dreams of a better life. Some complain that the ending is too downbeat, but I've always loved it. In fact, it wouldn't have been right to end it any other way.
The climax supports the age-old notion that those who live by the sword (and stolen loot) WILL prematurely die by the sword. George Kennedy is outstanding as the stolid Sheriff who has a puppy-love passion for Maria. She naturally finds him unexciting, however. As a hostage to the Bishop Gang, she slowly discovers true-love for the first time in her life.
Lastly, the score by Jerry Goldsmith is notable and it's great to have a Western where the story takes place in Texas that was actually shot in Texas.
I’ll have to watch this sometime!
shareI don't know Bandolero is a great Western but it is very enjoyable. It looks good (William H. Clothier), the cast is particularly good and the pacing works (Andrew V. McLaglen). Also, the music, i particularly like the jewish harp opening - why don't they use that anymore?
shareI enjoyed it quite a lot.
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