FuzzyTagz
If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.
StyleSk8r
At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
Raymond Sierra
The film may be flawed, but its message is not.
classicsoncall
A hostage rescue mission turns into a kidnapping in the middle of the story, and no one is more surprised than the two kidnappers, Rico Fardan (Lee Marvin) and Bill Dolworth (Burt Lancaster). It almost disrupts the mission to see their target Maria (Claudia Cardinale) cozy up to Mexican revolutionary Jesus Raza (Jack Palance) right before they attempt the save. Cardinale was one of the hot, young actresses to make their mark in the Sixties, in good company with the likes of women like Raquel Welch and Sophia Loren. For a movie that takes place for a good part in the desert, Cardinale managed to supply her own heat in every scene she's in.Maria in actuality, was the wife of railroad magnate J.W. Grant (Ralph Bellamy), though against her will due to a prearranged marriage by her dying father. Her abduction turns out to be just the opposite, she returned to Raza voluntarily and wants no part of her husband. This plot twist changes the entire tenor of the story, as 'The Professionals', primarily Fardan and Dolworth, begin to rethink their roles in the mission and eventually come full circle to voluntarily give up their huge payday. Dolworth in particular might have been a sucker for love, but seeing as how Grant was a creep, the rest of the rescue posse didn't seem to mind all that much.This was a pretty interesting cast. Along with the principals already mentioned, Robert Ryan and Woody Strode were also on hand to round out the four man rescue team, while female revolutionary Chiquita (Marie Gomez) handled an exceptionally poignant death scene reminiscing with Dolworth over past times and lost loves. It was one more clue that the principals might have at one time been associates of the Mexican Raza; their deference to his prestige and character seemed to resonate throughout the picture.Adding to the tenor of the story were the gorgeous scenic locations of Death Valley and Nevada's Valley of Fire State Park. A thought occurred to me after Dolworth's explosion sealed off the passageway through the mountain gap making it impossible to use by Raza's men. Because it was such a scenic marvel, I had to wonder if a construction crew had to go back and insure that the rubble was cleared away for future adventurers to enjoy.
Robert D. Ruplenas
An excellent flick for the escapist with an IQ above 70. You can't imagine a better cast - Lancaster, Marvin, Ryan, Strode Bellamy, Palance. The cinematography of the western vistas is absolutely stunning, shot in the sadly extinct Technicolor process. The score is by perhaps the greatest film composer of the 20th century, Maurice Jarre (who scored Lawrence of Arabia, The Train, Dr. Zhivago, Witness, among so many others). The script is extremely intelligent and skillfully develops the interplay between the characters and their various backgrounds. But there are lots of explosions and shoot-em-ups along the way, as well as plenty of plot surprises. An intelligent and enjoyable way to burn 2 hours of your leisure time.
SnoopyStyle
During the Mexican Revolution, rancher Grant hires four men to rescue his wife Maria (Claudia Cardinale) from bandit Jesus Raza (Jack Palance). Raza is demanding an $100k ransom. Henry Fardan (Lee Marvin) is the leader, Bill Dolworth (Burt Lancaster) is the explosives expert, Hans Ehrengard (Robert Ryan) is the horse wrangler, and Jake Sharp (Woody Strode) is skilled with the bow and arrow. They find the bandits ruthlessly massacring captured government troops. The four men plan to take on the massive rebel force to take back Maria except things aren't what they seem.This is a well executed movie made by ... (well yes) professionals. Richard Brooks is an expert filmmaker. The leads are all veterans. The action is big and well done. There are plenty of explosions. The location is tough, dusty, and gritty. It is a very solid action movie.
Tweekums
When wealthy Texan Joe Grant hires Henry 'Rico' Fardan to lead a small group deep into revolutionary Mexico to rescue his kidnapped wife Rico knows it won't be an easy job; four men against an army! Mrs Grant is being held by a revolutionary by the name of Jesus Raza who Rico and Bill Dolworth, an explosives expert, fought along side earlier in the war. It isn't long after they cross the border that they meet the first of Raza's men... clearly it won't be easy getting to his Hacienda and once there it will be even harder to get Mrs Grant out and back to her husband unharmed. Once they get to her they find they have another problem; she left Grant of her own free will and is in love with Raza... still they have been paid to take her back to her husband so take her back they will.The opening scene where Rico is firing a machine gun next to a car makes it clear that this is set much later than most westerns; that doesn't stop it being a 'proper' western. While he doesn't get top billing Lee Marvin is definitely the star of the film and he does a fine job as Rico, he is ably supported by Burt Lancaster (the official star) as Dolworth, Woody Strode as Jake Sharp, an expert with a longbow and Robert Ryan as the fourth and final member of the rescue party. Claudia Cardinale puts in a feisty performance as the 'kidnapped' Maria Grant.Fans of the genre or people just wanting an exciting adventure should enjoy this as there is plenty of action almost from the moment they cross the border; this action is mainly shootouts but there is also a train ambush and when we get to the raid on the hacienda there are numerous spectacular explosions. This may be the midpoint of the film but the return north is no less exciting. While the twists weren't all that surprising they were believable and added a bit more interest to the story.
