Bandolero
                             
Director: Andrew V. McLaglen
Year: 1968
Rating: 6.5
One of the things I love most about Westerns are the landscapes. Harsh hard land dotted with plateaus, mountains, sagebrush, blue skies and a horizon that goes out so far you think it might take you to the end of the world. Throw into that two craggy monuments named Jimmy Stewart and Dean Martin who have the West written all over them. In particular Stewart of course with the many great Westerns he appeared in during the 1950's. Dust, dirt and sitting on a horse suit him. The craggier he became, his authenticity in Westerns grew. His speech patterns felt right at home. The lone man riding the hard land looking for revenge or justice. He was 60 when he made this film - too old for the role - but he wears it well. He only had two more Westerns in him - The Cheyenne Social Club and The Shootist. Martin admittedly looked more natural in a tuxedo with a martini in one hand and a woman in the other, but he had paid his dues in Westerns - Rio Bravo, Sergeants 3, 4 for Texas, The Sons of Katie Elder.



And then there is the rose among the craggy rocks - Raquel Welch playing a Mexican senora. She isn't exactly what would come to mind for a Western but she went on to appear in 100 Rifles and Hannie Caulder. She looks stunning and proud here which I expect is all the filmmakers were looking for. When she guns down one of the bad guys, she looks so good doing it, you wish she had gunned down more. Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen who was familiar with the Western genre after McLintock, The Rare Breed (with Stewart), The Way West, Chisum, Cahill US Marshall. With that talent this should have been better but it wallows a bit in its drama. It doesn't play right. But the cast carries it through. I can watch Stewart in any Western and Raquel in any movie.



Before the credits begin the Bishop Gang - headed by Dee Bishop (Martin) rides into town to rob the bank. Inside they kill a man and shoot another but when they come out a passel of guns are pointed at them - led by the Sheriff - another craggy face - George Kennedy. They are ripe for hanging. The town's hottest ticket. The bars are going gangbusters. The man inside the bank who was killed was the husband of Mrs. Stoner (Raquel) - the wealthiest man in the territory with a 150,000 acre ranch. The sheriff loves her. The day before they are to be hanged, the hangman shows up. But it is Mace Bishop (Stewart) the brother of Dee who did something with the real hangman but we never find out what. He is here to set his brother free.



He does and when the posse goes after them decides to rob the bank and join up with his brother. Dee meanwhile has kidnapped Mrs. Stoner as a hostage. It makes no sense. The sheriff keeps chasing after them into Mexico and into Bandolero country - bandits - because he wants to get her back. The film settles down to basically just watching the two groups travel through the land. With the Bandoleros waiting for their opportunity. And the two brothers trying to wrestle with their past - Stewart was with Sherman, Martin with Quantrill.