Jonathon Dabell In 1966 the western genre was pretty tired – only the Italians, with their stylistic spaghetti westerns, were finding new angles to keep the genre fresh. American westerns were becoming thinner on the ground, and those that did still get made were often entirely routine. It would be the sprightly caperish-ness of Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid and the slow-motion violence of The Wild Bunch a few years later which would briefly reinvigorate the Hollywood horse opera. An unusual film from this era is Savage Pampas, which is more of a semi-western than a fully-fledged western. Co-written and directed by Hugo Fregonese, it is an American-Spanish-Argentinian co-production set on the pampas of 19th century Argentina. Maybe the best label for it would be a "southern"?At an army outpost in Argentina commanded by the ball-busting Captain Martin (Robert Taylor), the soldiers consist of a number of ex-cons, fugitives and desperadoes. For several years they have been locked in conflict with bandits and hostile Indians. All the while, the army soldiers have been kept away from women. Morale is low among the sex-starved soldiers, and many are deserting to the side of the bandits where they are promised women and pleasures of the flesh. Martin realises that urgent changes are needed and arranges for a number of women – whores and ne'er-do-wells – to be brought into the camp to satisfy his remaining men. The women have to be transported across miles of perilous terrain, personally accompanied by Martin and some of his best soldiers. The journey is fraught with danger, and the men and women undertaking find themselves unexpectedly developing mutual respect – love, even – as they go.Savage Pampas is intriguing for its very unusual plot threads – an examination of the effect celibacy on fighting men; temptations of the flesh; the fragility of morale; primitive attitudes towards women, etc. The film is handsomely shot, with some very good-looking panoramic sequences. There is action and violence in spurts, some of it is surprisingly hard-edged for 1966, though at other times the film is relatively sombre and slow-moving. Taylor holds it together well enough, playing a John Wayne-like authority role (he even drawls his lines like the Duke!) Waldo de los Rios provides a flavoursome score which adds to the rich South-'o'-the-Border atmosphere. Overall Savage Pampas is a smooth and watchable flick – it does not deserve to have fallen into relative obscurity.

Desiree1954 A sad and dismal almost final ending for Robert Taylor. His handsome looks faded by time, drink, and possible lung cancer, Robert Taylor presents a depressing lifeless figure in this 3rd rate South American produced Western. As a big fan of Taylor, I really don't want to remember him in this film. Of course, this is easy to do, as this movie has virtually been lost to time. It's clear that Robert Taylor didn't have his heart in the role of "Captain Martin". He looks weather beaten, tired, and just plain worn out. His build is just too thin and he appears in ill health. Even the feel of this whole movie is that of people "Beaten-Up" by the passing of time and hard living. Savage Pampas is "savage" to watch. There is little to like and it's not even a pleasant night at the movies. Savage Pampas is just a dismal footnote in the faltering career of Robert Taylor.

Poseidon-3 Western fans may or may not find enjoyment in this dusty, violent mini-epic. Fans of Spaghetti Westerns will likely enjoy it more. The film, which primarily involves the transportation of hookers across Argentinian terrain beset by Indians and rebellious deserters, has a lot going for it and a lot against it. Taylor, in one of his last roles, plays an Army Captain whose chief duty is to defend a fort and keep his men from running off and joining the opposing forces led by renegade Randell. Taylor, an actor who methodically and deliberately did everything he could to ruin his pretty-boy looks, appears wax-like and worn in most of his scenes. His growly voice comes across pretty effectively, but he is almost unbearably stoic through most of the film. However, he is put through some grueling physical torment (when his stunt double isn't doing it) that's somewhat remarkable for someone his age. He also gets off a few decent sarcastic lines, but is hard-pressed to overcome his Abraham Sofaer look and costuming. (At times his hat cord blends in with his goatee making him look like he has a long braided beard! He also has a series of unflattering head scarves which are probably authentic, but don't lend themselves to cinematic authority. Most of the cast wear diaper-like rugs between their legs....another authentic aspect which cuts down on the expectations one may have for a western style film. Some will see this as appealingly different, others may scoff at it.) Randell gets to ham it up a bit in the style that was made famous by Eli Wallach and other stronger actors (with better written parts.) Hardin (bizarrely dressed like a sexy Abe Lincoln) comes along late in the game as an anarchist who is being remanded to Army duty. He has a couple of interesting moments (and a great final scene!), but is mostly wasted. WHY wasn't he in the river with the hookers when they were bathing?? The hookers are a motley group of international actresses. It's hard to drum up much interest in most of them as their characters are only scratched upon. One thing setting apart the interest level in anyone who isn't a name brand star is the atrocious dubbing of the film. This is why those accustomed to Spaghetti Westerns may give the movie higher marks than other viewers. One male actor has a creepy, whispering sound to all of his lines. The ladies mostly have shrill, loud or gravelly voices assigned to them. Any sort of bit part sounds like it was recorded off the street. What's good about the film is it's unusual setting and it's desert scenery. Also, there are certain story elements which come across as unique or at least not overdone. (The Indians use these nasty little ball & rope weapons which are intriguing to see.) A couple of confrontations and action scenes are memorable, even if on an amusing level. (Look out for that head!) What's bad about the film is the aforementioned dubbing, the disjointed nature of the script which makes it hard at first to understand the story, and the choppy editing, unfocused direction and amateurish acting by some of the supporting players. Western diehards should find something to like, but most mainstream filmgoers will find it rough to get through.

artzau This was one of Robert Taylor's final films. It should be seen not so much for his stiff performance (that was his style) as the Argentine Army Captain who's posted in the pampas during the last century, but for the realistic setting and story line this movie displays. It's not a great film but it does have some merits. Probably the only other face that will be recognized is that of Ty Hardin from the 50's TV show. There's a video now but you can likely still catch this one the late show too. But, it's worth watching. Taylor made a couple of other films before dying in 1969 but they're really not worth mentioning. But, check this one out for some quite accurate portrayals of gauchos on the wild pampas.