anthonys-88719 Easily 1 of the best westerns/movies I've ever seen.Lee Marvin is his usual gruff self,and Burt Lancaster is offbeat,and funny.Jack Palance is also good.Would highly recommend this flick.

classicsoncall A hostage rescue mission turns into a kidnapping in the middle of the story, and no one is more surprised than the two kidnappers, Rico Fardan (Lee Marvin) and Bill Dolworth (Burt Lancaster). It almost disrupts the mission to see their target Maria (Claudia Cardinale) cozy up to Mexican revolutionary Jesus Raza (Jack Palance) right before they attempt the save. Cardinale was one of the hot, young actresses to make their mark in the Sixties, in good company with the likes of women like Raquel Welch and Sophia Loren. For a movie that takes place for a good part in the desert, Cardinale managed to supply her own heat in every scene she's in.Maria in actuality, was the wife of railroad magnate J.W. Grant (Ralph Bellamy), though against her will due to a prearranged marriage by her dying father. Her abduction turns out to be just the opposite, she returned to Raza voluntarily and wants no part of her husband. This plot twist changes the entire tenor of the story, as 'The Professionals', primarily Fardan and Dolworth, begin to rethink their roles in the mission and eventually come full circle to voluntarily give up their huge payday. Dolworth in particular might have been a sucker for love, but seeing as how Grant was a creep, the rest of the rescue posse didn't seem to mind all that much.This was a pretty interesting cast. Along with the principals already mentioned, Robert Ryan and Woody Strode were also on hand to round out the four man rescue team, while female revolutionary Chiquita (Marie Gomez) handled an exceptionally poignant death scene reminiscing with Dolworth over past times and lost loves. It was one more clue that the principals might have at one time been associates of the Mexican Raza; their deference to his prestige and character seemed to resonate throughout the picture.Adding to the tenor of the story were the gorgeous scenic locations of Death Valley and Nevada's Valley of Fire State Park. A thought occurred to me after Dolworth's explosion sealed off the passageway through the mountain gap making it impossible to use by Raza's men. Because it was such a scenic marvel, I had to wonder if a construction crew had to go back and insure that the rubble was cleared away for future adventurers to enjoy.

peter-goggins anyone else see the link between this film and Spielberg's Indiana Jones movies ??? or is it just my imagination ? this film is one of those that you seen when you were a kid and remember bits of it..lovely cinematography , and has that timeless feel to it .. Burt Lancaster is the perfect lead man with a rather beautiful female to boot.. anyone else see the link between this film and Spielberg's Indiana Jones movies ??? or is it just my imagination ? this film is one of those that you seen when you were a kid and remember bits of it..lovely cinematography , and has that timeless feel to it .. Burt Lancaster is the perfect lead man with a rather beautiful ..

SnoopyStyle During the Mexican Revolution, rancher Grant hires four men to rescue his wife Maria (Claudia Cardinale) from bandit Jesus Raza (Jack Palance). Raza is demanding an $100k ransom. Henry Fardan (Lee Marvin) is the leader, Bill Dolworth (Burt Lancaster) is the explosives expert, Hans Ehrengard (Robert Ryan) is the horse wrangler, and Jake Sharp (Woody Strode) is skilled with the bow and arrow. They find the bandits ruthlessly massacring captured government troops. The four men plan to take on the massive rebel force to take back Maria except things aren't what they seem.This is a well executed movie made by ... (well yes) professionals. Richard Brooks is an expert filmmaker. The leads are all veterans. The action is big and well done. There are plenty of explosions. The location is tough, dusty, and gritty. It is a very solid action movie.