Woodyanders Rugged trail boss and reformed criminal Pike (an excellent and convincing performance by big, bad Jim Brown) promises his honest wealthy employer Morgan (a fine cameo by Dana Andrews) that he will venture across the dessert to deliver $86,000 dollars in payroll money to a ranch in Sonora, Mexico. Pike makes an uneasy alliance with smooth, yet shifty gambler Pyree (ably played by the ever-suave Fred Williamson) in order to successfully complete his dangerous mission. During their perilous trek Pike and Tyree encounter desperate prostitute Catherine (an appealing portrayal by the beautiful Catherine Spaak) and her loyal ace martial artist half-breed companion Kashtok (amiable Jim Kelly in sturdy fighting form). Meanwhile, ruthless bounty hunter Kiefer (a perfectly steely Lee Van Cleef) and numerous greedy others give dogged chase. Director Antonio Margheriti, working from an offbeat and engrossing script by Eric Bercovici and Jerrold L. Ludwig, relates the lively and exciting story at a snappy pace, makes terrific use of the dusty Canary Islands locations, and stages the spirited shoot-outs and dynamic action set pieces with rip-roaring skill and gusto. The top-rate cast rates as another major asset: Brown and Williamson display a winningly easy'n'breezy chemistry and play off each other well (they also vigorously mix it up in a satisfying rough'n'tumble fisticuffs confrontation about an hour into the movie), Van Cleef makes for a marvelously menacing main villain, Barry Sullivan snarls it up nicely as brutal corrupt lawman Kane, Robert Donner and Harry Carey Jr. contribute pleasingly slimy turns as no-count cowpoke members of Kiefer's gang, and Charles McGregor provides some amusing comic relief in a regrettably minor part as the bumbling Cloyd. Riccardo Pallottini's sharp cinematography offers plenty of breathtaking shots of the vast and desolate dessert scenery. Jerry Goldsmith's twangy and robust score hits the stirring'n'sweeping harmonic spot. An immensely entertaining sagebrush saga.

ctomvelu-1 A western, shot in Spain, with a twist: Jim Brown and Fred Williamson, folks not normally associated with Euro-made westerns, take it upon themselves to deliver a large payroll to a ranch in Sonora, Mexico, after the ranch owner (Dana Andrews) dies while on the road. Everybody who hears of this -- and I mean everybody -- goes after them. This includes the local sheriff (Barry Sullivan), an army of drifters and gunhands, and bounty hunter Lee Van Cleef, who recognizes Brown as a wanted man from years before. Brown is given minimal dialog, which is a good thing as he is not exactly an actor. Williamson fares better as a breezy card sharp in fancy duds, who carries most of the dialog for the two of them. Not bad. The music, clearly derived from THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, is better than the movie.

Ruth Voboril Thank God blacks have gotten past this stage of films. How completely undignified.Moreover, this was for me, a painful film to watch. Such a wonderful talent as Ronald Howard, playing the crooked preacher, in this, his last film, which turned out to be complete crap. The cameramen didn't even have the grace to give him one lousy decent shot. Every time it looks as though he might get a little bit of exposure, the camera returns to that damned Lee Van Cleef. It is clear to see how this led him to finally abandon acting entirely. What a waste of talent. Very sad indeed.

sylvar-3 I remember seeing this one as a kid, and really liking it! (Aaah youth!) Well, after watching it as an adult, (Feelings change!) Script was definitely hurting. It could have had great potential! Lee Van Cleef, Jim Brown, Jim Kelly, Fred Williamson! (Actually Jim Kelly as a indian? Well, no, a black man raised as a indian, who everybody calls indian? Running around doing the Billy Jack thing! Go figure.) Aside from that humor, I rate it, 5 out of 10.(See Buck & the preacher, '1000 rifles' 'Posse' are even better if you want a primary A.A western.)