Bandolero! Starts off with some really catchy music from Jerry Goldsmith, but the opening credits quickly diminish when you see Dean Martin and Raquel Welch getting supporting billings to James Stewart. Is this a B-movie I've just put on for my evening? You ask yourself. Keep it running and don't worry; it's very good. I was pleasantly surprised, since I lowered the bar when seeing a notorious non-actress littering the screen. She doesn't ruin the movie, and Dean Martin has already proved he can hold his own in a drama.
This dramatic western has a great opening sequence. Dean and his cohorts are facing the noose when a bearded James Stewart leisurely rides into town. He's the hangman, and he asks to take a look at the prisoners before the hanging. Dean's eyes grow wide when he sees the man. Jimmy's not all he seems, and he's not the lovable hero he usually plays. You won't find any Mr. Smith or George Bailey in this movie. In fact, when the town is distracted during the hanging, he sneaks off and robs the bank in town.
If you like James Stewart in his westerns, you'll like this movie. You'll see plenty of great acting from him, surprises in the plot, and well-written characters that make you really care about what's going to happen to them. I also really liked George Kennedy's character. He pines away for Raquel, and because he's an honorable sheriff, he wants to respect her and be a gentleman. But as the movie continues, he gets more corrupted and strays from the straight and narrow. James Stewart is, of course, the star of the show. If you like this one, check out Shenandoah next.
This dramatic western has a great opening sequence. Dean and his cohorts are facing the noose when a bearded James Stewart leisurely rides into town. He's the hangman, and he asks to take a look at the prisoners before the hanging. Dean's eyes grow wide when he sees the man. Jimmy's not all he seems, and he's not the lovable hero he usually plays. You won't find any Mr. Smith or George Bailey in this movie. In fact, when the town is distracted during the hanging, he sneaks off and robs the bank in town.
If you like James Stewart in his westerns, you'll like this movie. You'll see plenty of great acting from him, surprises in the plot, and well-written characters that make you really care about what's going to happen to them. I also really liked George Kennedy's character. He pines away for Raquel, and because he's an honorable sheriff, he wants to respect her and be a gentleman. But as the movie continues, he gets more corrupted and strays from the straight and narrow. James Stewart is, of course, the star of the show. If you like this one, check out Shenandoah next.