Far from a classic 60's western, but unlike capsule reviews read from famous critic guides, I found this engaging, exciting and well acted, particularly by Terence Stamp (when he began to talk), Ricardo Montalban, Joanna Pettet and Karl Malden. Raised among Mexican bandits, British accented Stamp, blue eyed and as light haired as adopted papa Montalban, saves Pettet from one of his adopted brothers and is nursed back to health by Pettet and her father (Malden), and decides to stay and work for them.
However, the locals don't trust him, but they must when Montalban declares revenge on the son who he feels has betrayed him and his people and only Stamp knows how to defend the homesteaders against a brutal gang of bandits, one of which he is. There's certainly a viable conflict, and even though Montalban is obviously declared a villain, there are obvious believable reasons for his actions no matter how sinister they are. It's very bloody and brutal, with absolute prejudice from both sides, so it's a timeless story too. It's just missing necessary exposition that could have made this great. A touching ending mixed with bittersweetness and tragedy.
However, the locals don't trust him, but they must when Montalban declares revenge on the son who he feels has betrayed him and his people and only Stamp knows how to defend the homesteaders against a brutal gang of bandits, one of which he is. There's certainly a viable conflict, and even though Montalban is obviously declared a villain, there are obvious believable reasons for his actions no matter how sinister they are. It's very bloody and brutal, with absolute prejudice from both sides, so it's a timeless story too. It's just missing necessary exposition that could have made this great. A touching ending mixed with bittersweetness and tragedy.