Bandit!

1956 "THE CRY THAT ROCKED THE WORLD'S HOTTEST STRIP OF HELL!"
Bandit!
6| 1h32m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 01 September 1956 Released
Producted By: United Artists
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

American arms dealer Kennedy hopes to make a killing by selling to the "regulares" in the 1916 Mexican revolution. American mercenary Wilson favors the rebel faction headed by Escobar, and they plot to hijack Kennedy's arms; but Wilson also has his eye on Kennedy's wife. Raids, counter-raids, and escapes follow in a veritable hail of bullets.

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ma-cortes This one deals with an one man army at a mighty adventure . A yankee soldier of fortune , Robert Mitchum , playing both sides in a blazing war of revolt , as he does a spot of smuggling in 1916 revolutionary Mexico , the period during which this film is set , as war swept Mexico . As the Gringo mercenary crossing the river , as he runs into problem with Mexican people and being nicknamed ¨Alacran¨, at the same time relentlessly chased by the Regulars . The rebel revolutionaries and continuous treason reflect different aspects of his situation . Then , Mitchum falls for the gun-running's unhappy wife , Úrsula Thiess ; crossing swords with her husband , the wealthy weapon dealer , Zachary Scott . The cry that rooked the world'd hottest strip the hell ¡. A Western drama with noisy action , shootouts , crosses , and doublé crosses . Bursting with attractive characters, interesting themes , sub-plots , symbols , and with very decent filmmaking and interpretation. Photographically with portentous images and musically , it's a continuous treat . The picture centers on Mitchum , a gringo mercenary operating South of Border , in a gun-running mission , as he finds out the blessings , belonging and the burderns of the Mexican revolution . This flick bears a certain resemblance to ¨The wonderful country¨1959 by Robert Parish with Robert Mitchum , Julie London , Garry Merrill , Albert Dekker . Robert Mitchum grapples rather unsteadly with his role as a gunrrunner who ends with his heart in the right place . Robert gives a lively as well as easy acting as an extremely ambitious dealer to get his objectives . The gorgeous eye-candy Úrsula Thiess , who married Robert Taylor , is pretty good as the wife with a thunderous life , though she attempts to take a honest way. Úrsula began her professional career as a model, landing small movie roles and eventually relocating to California, where her Hollywood career bloomed . Her film credits include Monsoon , Bengal Brigade, which co-starred Rock Hudson. She also appeared with Glenn Ford in The Americano and The Iron glove alongside Robert Stack . His husband is finely performed by usually nasty Zachary Scott , as he often plays bad guys . Gilbert Roland also takes advantage from a villain but good character . Satisfying support cast plenty of prestigious secondaries such as : Zachary Scott , Douglas Fowley , Henry Brandon , and the Mexican : Rodolfo Acosta, Jose Torvay , Victor Junco , and the latin lover Gilbert Roland . And a cast of thousands , including a lot of extras , as the older Mexicans hired as extras in the film were former soldiers of Pancho Villa and others were former government troops who fought them. Interesting and well structured screenplay by Earl Fenton , based on a successful story . It contains a colorful cinematography in Cinemascope , Color De Luxe by Ernest Laszlo , including wonderful landscapes from Iguala, Guerrero , Torreon , Yaltupec , Durango , Cuernavaca , Taxo , Acapulco , Guerero , Bavisne and Churubasco studios , Mexico ; in fact , it was shot on many of the actual battle sites of the 1916 Mexican revolution . And a sensitive and rousing musical score by the classy composer Max Steiner , adding marvelous Mexican sounds and songs .This modest drama/action/Western picture was professionally and firmly directed by Richard Fleischer , assisted by a Mexico production unit ; though slowly filmed, as I miss more action and shots, but it also has explosion, pursuits and impressive battles . The movie was a collaboration between Robert Mitchum's independent production company DRM Productions and Robert L. Jacks Productions , supported by the prestigious fimmaker Richard Fleischer . Richard was a prolific craftsman who made a lot of films in all kinds of genres throughout a long career in which he was able to endow with a wealth of personal detail . As he directed adventures: Vikings , 20000 leagues under the sea , Red Sonja , Conan the destroyer , Mandingo , Ashanti , Doctor Dolittle , The prince and the pauper ; Thrillers: Mr Majestick , The Don is dead , The new Centurions , Million dollar mystery ; Historical : Barabbas ; Terror : Amityvile 3 the Demon ; Musical : The jazz singer ; Wartime : Tora tora tora ; Sci-Fi : Soilent Green ; Crime : 10 Rillington Place , The Boston strangler , Compulsion , See no evil ; Noir film : The narrow margin , The clay pigeon , Armored car robbery , Follow me quietly , Trapped . Rating : 6.5/10 acceptable and passable . Well worth watching .
jpdoherty Disliked by some, the United Artists release BANDIDO (1956) is a reasonably enjoyable semi-western. Produced by Robert L.Jacks it is a handsomely mounted adventure in early Cinemascope and DeLuxe color arrestingly photographed by the great Ernest Laszo. Based on a story by Earl Felton, who also wrote the screenplay, the buoyant direction was by Richard Fleischer. Although something of a stranger when it came to making westerns Fleischer delivers the goods here without any trouble. His evocation of the Mexican revolution in 1916 (curiously the same year when the director was born) is perfectly established from the very opening shot and the bracing narrative is adhered to throughout its 92 min. Without any reason Fleischer is something of an underrated picture maker! Yet, classics like "Trapped" (1949), "Armored Car Robbery" (1950),"The Narrow Margin" (1952), "The Vikings" (1958), "Compulsion" (1959) and "Tora Tora,Tora" (1970) assure his standing as one of Hollywood's master craftsmen. While BANDIDO doesn't reach the lofty heights of any of these titles it nevertheless is still a fairly engrossing slice of entertainment.With bullets whizzing all around him American adventurer and gun runner Wilson (Robert Mitchum) arrives literally into the thick of the Mexican revolution to offer his services to the rebel side. Together with the leader Escobar (Gilbert Roland) and his men they set out to steal a major shipment of guns and ammunition from American arms dealer Kennedy (Zachary Scott) - not to mention Mitch himself giving Mrs. Kennedy (Ursula Thiess) the glad eye in the bargain. The picture ends with the rebel side finally getting possession of the huge cache of arms and using them in a fierce battle with the Federal troops.Performances are generally good throughout and the picture maintains an engaging pace. Dressed in Panama hat and white suit Mitchum, on one of his favourite stomping grounds Mexico, is very likable in his usual somni-eyed fashion. But the picture belongs to the charismatic Gilbert Roland. As Escobar he is the quintessential rebel leader. It is a part he was born to play. Good too is Zachary Scott as Kennedy the ill-fated arms dealer. However, there is a problem with the casting of the female lead! Ursula Thiess, an actress of limited appeal and with a gossamer thin screen presence, is dull and flat in her portrayal of the unhappy and bored Mrs. Kennedy. Whatever possessed the Mitchum character to be attracted to her in the first place is anyone's guess.Adding to the atmosphere is the fine score by the legendary Max Steiner. On loan from Warners this would be the composer's one and only score for a United Artists picture. The main title is a turbulent and aggressive full orchestral piece which points up the struggle and resolve of the Mexican proletariat. Then there is a wonderful central theme heard in different guises in the film as the mood demands. One winning rendition has it hauntingly sung by a guitar playing revolutionary at night. There is also a spirited military march for the Federal troops and some terrific action cues in the familiar Steiner manner for the many battle sequences. That same year 1956 the great Steiner would conceive his brilliant masterwork for John Ford's monumental "The Searchers".Not an outstanding movie by any stretch of the imagination but BANDIDO remains a reasonably good stroke of entertainment played out by an attractive cast and nicely structured by its makers. Well worth a peek!
dbdumonteil ...and nobody seems to care too much.The political background is completely absent and boils down to the "regular army" against the "rebels.Like in the good old Maximilian von Hasburg/Juarez days.Plus ça Change..Enter Kennedy and his wife:he wants to sell ammunition to the Army ;his wife is some kind of bait;her husband" pawns" her when necessary .Enter Wilson:he sides with the rebels and of course he falls in love with... It's Mitchum's character ...nuff said Robert Mitchum does not seem to care a little bit about what happens in Mexico.His face remains impassive.As he tells Escobar "I have fun and I make money".A minor Fleischer,moderately entertaining.
gstevens-2 This is a fun Robert Mitchum movie, with a little taste of the "Magnificent Seven". Mitchum plays an American adventurer who runs afoul of American gunrunner Zacary Scott. While attempting to steal the shipment of guns from Scott he becomes involved with Scotts wife as well as the noble cause of the revolution. He ultimately sees that the rebels get the guns. This movie is very enjoyable, with the always good performance of Gilbert Roland (as the rebel general) and several other recognizible Hispanic actors such as Rudy Hoyos. I haven't seen this movie shown on TV even on cable for years. I would definitely like to see it released on VHS. The movie has some pretty good action scenes so if you get a chance to see it, DO!