jpdoherty Disliked by some, the United Artists release BANDIDO (1956) is a reasonably enjoyable semi-western. Produced by Robert L.Jacks it is a handsomely mounted adventure in early Cinemascope and DeLuxe color arrestingly photographed by the great Ernest Laszo. Based on a story by Earl Felton, who also wrote the screenplay, the buoyant direction was by Richard Fleischer. Although something of a stranger when it came to making westerns Fleischer delivers the goods here without any trouble. His evocation of the Mexican revolution in 1916 (curiously the same year when the director was born) is perfectly established from the very opening shot and the bracing narrative is adhered to throughout its 92 min. Without any reason Fleischer is something of an underrated picture maker! Yet, classics like "Trapped" (1949), "Armored Car Robbery" (1950),"The Narrow Margin" (1952), "The Vikings" (1958), "Compulsion" (1959) and "Tora Tora,Tora" (1970) assure his standing as one of Hollywood's master craftsmen. While BANDIDO doesn't reach the lofty heights of any of these titles it nevertheless is still a fairly engrossing slice of entertainment.With bullets whizzing all around him American adventurer and gun runner Wilson (Robert Mitchum) arrives literally into the thick of the Mexican revolution to offer his services to the rebel side. Together with the leader Escobar (Gilbert Roland) and his men they set out to steal a major shipment of guns and ammunition from American arms dealer Kennedy (Zachary Scott) - not to mention Mitch himself giving Mrs. Kennedy (Ursula Thiess) the glad eye in the bargain. The picture ends with the rebel side finally getting possession of the huge cache of arms and using them in a fierce battle with the Federal troops.Performances are generally good throughout and the picture maintains an engaging pace. Dressed in Panama hat and white suit Mitchum, on one of his favourite stomping grounds Mexico, is very likable in his usual somni-eyed fashion. But the picture belongs to the charismatic Gilbert Roland. As Escobar he is the quintessential rebel leader. It is a part he was born to play. Good too is Zachary Scott as Kennedy the ill-fated arms dealer. However, there is a problem with the casting of the female lead! Ursula Thiess, an actress of limited appeal and with a gossamer thin screen presence, is dull and flat in her portrayal of the unhappy and bored Mrs. Kennedy. Whatever possessed the Mitchum character to be attracted to her in the first place is anyone's guess.Adding to the atmosphere is the fine score by the legendary Max Steiner. On loan from Warners this would be the composer's one and only score for a United Artists picture. The main title is a turbulent and aggressive full orchestral piece which points up the struggle and resolve of the Mexican proletariat. Then there is a wonderful central theme heard in different guises in the film as the mood demands. One winning rendition has it hauntingly sung by a guitar playing revolutionary at night. There is also a spirited military march for the Federal troops and some terrific action cues in the familiar Steiner manner for the many battle sequences. That same year 1956 the great Steiner would conceive his brilliant masterwork for John Ford's monumental "The Searchers".Not an outstanding movie by any stretch of the imagination but BANDIDO remains a reasonably good stroke of entertainment played out by an attractive cast and nicely structured by its makers. Well worth a peek!

bkoganbing Robert Mitchum had a hand in producing Bandido, an independent production released by United Artists in 1956. It was supposed to be more of an existential type story about a mercenary during the Mexican Civil Wars of the teen years. What finally emerged was your run of the mill action adventure story with Mitchum mixing business with pleasure during the revolution. The business was arms, but the pleasure was Ursula Thiess.Thiess is married to Zachary Scott who finds money far more beautiful than Thiess if that's possible. He's looking to sell a large cache of arms to the government which certainly has the cash on hand. Mitchum however while he says he's detached from the politics does harbor a certain sympathy for the rebels who locally are headed by Gilbert Roland. The film was shot on location in Mexico and the two best things it has going for it are the beautiful location photography in Mexico and the performance of Gilbert Roland. Roland's a bit more intense in his role as the revolutionary chief than he normally is, but he still has that incredible charm working overtime for him. There are so many films where I find him the best thing in them.According to the Mitchum biography by Lee Server, he got himself in a bit of woman trouble while down there. Nothing new for Mitchum except for the fact it was his stand in who abused a young woman who thought it was Bob himself. When you have that kind of a reputation, trouble will seek you out even when you're completely innocent. It all worked out for Mitchum however.Ursula Thiess pretty much ended her career as actress with this film, she had married Robert Taylor a couple of years earlier and was now going to be a mother again. She had two children by her first marriage to German producer George Thiess, but now she was going to devote full time to the raising of Taylor's children.Bandido is your run of the mill action adventure story. One wonders though what Mitchum had in mind for the original plot.

Bob-45 How can a movie be this noisy and still put me to sleep? Is it the writing, which would have me believe:o An adventurer with seeming inexhaustible amounts of money would risk life and limb to GIVE away tons of arms and ammunition to `the revolution'? o That rebels would ride off and leave machine guns and light artillery pieces behind? o That Robert Mitchum, a prisoner scheduled to be shot, could hide two hand grenades in his jacket? o That Ursula Theiss, held hostage by seasoned rebels, would be allowed to keep a gun in her purse? Ursula Theiss (Mrs. Robert Taylor) is pretty, but her love scenes with Mitchum lack spark. Far better is the interplay between Mitchum and Gilbert Roland, as well as his scenes with Zachery Scott and José Torvay (Gonzalez). In fact Mitchum's scenes with practically everyone but Theiss are better than his with her. Not very smart when the plot devices hinge on the Mitchum / Theiss relationship.Dull, dull, dull, and LOUD!

againsam You can usually count on Richard Fleisher to deliver the goods, and here he does not disappoint. Robert Mitchum as an American soldier-0f-fortune gives a good performance. However, the always reliable Zachary Scott virtually steals the movie in the heavy role. The film was shot on location and that certainly adds to the fun. I recommend this film.