The Giants Battle In The Biggest Spectacle Of Them All!

Starring: Gary Cooper, Burt Lancaster, Denise Darcel, Cesar Romero, Sara Montiel, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Elam, Charles Bronson, George Macready, Morris Ankrum, Jack Lambert

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"Ace used to say you don't take any chances you don't have to. Don't trust nobody you don't have to trust, and don't do no favors you don't have to do. Ace lived long enough to know he was right. He lived thirty seconds after I shot him." - Bob Valdez

Why watch this? Lancaster and Cooper shine, and man, what a supporting cast.

Plot Summary: After the Civil War, two American mercenaries, Ben Trane and Joe Erin venture into Mexico seeking fortune amidst a brewing revolution. They are hired by Emperor Maximilian to escort a French countess to the port city of Veracruz. On the perilous journey, they quickly discover gold coins, hidden in the stagecoach, intended for the Emperor's forces. This sparks a series of betrayals and shifting loyalties.

Dad's Preview: Two men of the West are looking to hire out their gun skills in Mexico after the Civil War. Gary Cooper dependably portrays the iconic American Western man: alone, capable, hard-to-rile, and principled, even as a hired gunman. Burt Lancaster portrays the black hat, yet he's an almost loveable scoundrel. The genius of this film is their interactions. One minute their at each others throats, the next they show mutual respect. Under different circumstances, they might have been friends, but suddenly lots of gold is involved, therefore friendships and alliances are at stake. It was also a good idea to populate the mercenary gang with memorable performances by Jack Elam, Ernest Borgnine and a young Charles Bronson. The flick is standard Old West fare, but still worth a look.

Hecht-Lancaster Productions, Flora Productions; United Artists

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