Directed by:
Andrew V. McLaglenScreenplay:
James Lee BarrettCinematography:
William H. ClothierComposer:
Jerry GoldsmithCast:
James Stewart, Dean Martin, Raquel Welch, George Kennedy, Andrew Prine, Will Geer, Clint Ritchie, Denver Pyle, Harry Carey Jr., Jock Mahoney, Dub Taylor (more)Plots(1)
James Stewart stars as Mattie Appleyard, the leader of the group. After serving his time, Mattie retrieves a 25,000-dollar check from a banker who looked after his funds while he was in prison. Along with his two pals, Mattie intends to use the money to open up a general store and make a fresh start. Unfortunately for them, the banker and a former jailer both look to stand in the way of their dreams. George Kennedy, who also had role in Shenandoah, co-stars as Dock Council, the former prison official, and a young Kurt Russell appears in one of his first non-Disney films. (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)
(more)Reviews (1)
A western from a period when public interest in the genre was waning, with the production of classic westerns shifting to Europe, giving rise to the phenomenon of so-called spaghetti westerns. In the USA, significantly fewer films were made than a decade earlier. However, they stopped being so formulaic, and there were attempts at innovation and new perspectives on the "Wild West" phenomenon. Bandolero! has a traditional form, but the characters are more nuanced and not just black-and-white. Another positive aspect is the decent acting performances. Overall impression: 50%, but genre enthusiasts can safely add another 10-20%.
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