Bandolero! *** (1968, James Stewart, Dean Martin, Raquel Welch, George Kennedy) – Classic Movie Review 10,298

The cast suggests a lighthearted Western, but director Andrew V McLaglen’s 1968 Bandolero! is actually a showcase for tough fisticuffs and violent shootouts, as well as a showcase for its stars James Stewart, Dean Martin, Raquel Welch and George Kennedy.

In a busy if undistinguished yarn, based on a story by Stanley Hough, Mace Bishop (Stewart) rescues his outlaw brother Dee Bishop (Martin), gets involved with the bad guys and they hop off to Mexico pursued by sheriff July Johnson (Kennedy).

McLaglen’s snappy direction, a brisk score by Jerry Goldsmith, eye-catching Color by Deluxe and Panavision widescreen cinematography by William H Clothier and the amiable actors all combine neatly to keep it eminently watchable. It advertises itself as ‘a NEW kind of Western’, but it seems business as usual.

It runs 107 minutes with a cut version at 102 minutes.

Also in the cast are Will Geer, Andrew Prine, Denver Pyle, Harry Carey Jr, Jock Mahoney, Dub Taylor, Clint Ritchie, Tom Heaton, Rudy Diaz, Sean McClory, Don ‘Red’ Barry [Donald Barry], Guy Raymond, Perry Lopez, Big John Hamilton, Robert Adler, John Mitchum, Patrick Cranshaw, Roy Barcroft and Joe Gray.

It is filmed at the village built for The Alamo (1960).

James Lee Barrett writes the screenplay.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,298

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com