The American Civil War has ended and a new one is starting in Mexico against the foreign ruler Emperor Maximilian. American adventurers are slipping into the country. Confederate soldier Ben Trane (Gary Cooper) joins Joe Erin (Burt Lancaster) who leads a band of bandits. They are recruited by Marquis Henri de Labordere (Cesar Romero) and the Emperor to escort Countess Marie Duvarre.
It's a big western action film. When the rebels surround them and the Federals in that town square, there are a couple of awkward staging issues. There is plenty of big action set pieces but I'm not always in love with the staging. The Mexican rebels are always lined up or bunched up. There are nevertheless some great stunt work and grand action. This is mostly broad and simple. Above all that, there are the two leading big stars. It's suppose to be crowd pleasing although it's not as rip-roaring as one hopes for. That's due to the fact that the protagonists are all on the wrong side of the fight. It's really only up to always white hat Gary Cooper to inevitably turn to the light side. I'm not in love with any of these characters but the action is fun enough.
It's a big western action film. When the rebels surround them and the Federals in that town square, there are a couple of awkward staging issues. There is plenty of big action set pieces but I'm not always in love with the staging. The Mexican rebels are always lined up or bunched up. There are nevertheless some great stunt work and grand action. This is mostly broad and simple. Above all that, there are the two leading big stars. It's suppose to be crowd pleasing although it's not as rip-roaring as one hopes for. That's due to the fact that the protagonists are all on the wrong side of the fight. It's really only up to always white hat Gary Cooper to inevitably turn to the light side. I'm not in love with any of these characters but the action is fun enough.