krocheav While not having been attracted to this film earlier, I recently heard from others that it offered some interest. I'm very pleased to finally catch up with it as it certainly offers unexpected qualities. Robert Mitchum displayed an ability to act against type - showing a warmer side to his gunslinger image (& also producing). This role presented a vulnerable side to his character (not often seen before) who was being played by both sides, leaving him open and continually on the run. Julie London was certainly a quality choice for the feminine interest but seemed uneasy within her character. Several notable performers made up the supporting roles and each personality was well defined. It probably won't suit all tastes but was a welcome change of pace for a western & offered above average intelligence within its character development - unlike the overblown, overly nasty, cheap Italian shoot 'em ups that would shortly afterwards flood the world market - killing off the quality American western. Looks perhaps like the rights may have lapsed for this title as the DVD quality I found was poor - being a transfer from a used film print and not an original remastered studio neg. Good original cinematography was an asset along with a curious south-of-the border Mexican style score from Alex North, just before his Spartacus effort.

Richie-67-485852 We got a Western with Mitchum for starters. Then, add Indians, Calvary, love interest, gun play, Mexico, drinking, fighting, horses and some history and we got a decent movie on our hands. Mitch handles his accent rather well and the story is an interesting one. He is a gringo who had to live in Mexico but realizes that may change if he changes. Of course the love interest has something to do with that decision along with other circumstances. Good supporting cast here too. Good movie for eating a burrito or some tacos with a tasty drink or a nice cut of beef. Have some pan dulce (sweet bread) for dessert as there is all that in the movie and more. Even some beef jerky and pumpkin seeds will work for the full effect. Nice scenery and filmed on location i.e. Mexico. BTW...They are always having an over throw of power or position or some sort of revolution in that country because everyone is always jockeying for power and of course more money. It goes on to this day too. Enjoy amigos & pards

rchristiananderson The story is clever, the production value is all there, and the acting talent is present... but this film is poorly directed with a distracting and overblown music score. There are clear merits to this film and Mitchum gives his all to make his character solid ... but because of the weak direction, his Mexican accent is almost flawless in some scenes, but nonexistent in others. This goes back and forth for the duration of the film. Some of the Mexcian accents spoken by some actors are not only poorly executed, with dialogue that is stereotypical, as well. This distracts greatly from the story and production values here. The overblown soundtrack is about as bad as it gets. It makes me think Alex North was dying for attention and wanted his music to be heard over the action. The music has little to do with the mood of what is happening on screen. Music should enhance the drama... here the music fights for attention. Some of the worst arrangements I've heard. At times the music sounds festive and celebratory in scenes which are supposed to be ominous and frightening. Quite odd and a bit irritating. A remake should be considered because the story is worth telling.... but not this way.

Cristi_Ciopron The two main interests of this passable western: Mitchum is very cool (and almost blonde!), while his female pair is attractive and nice. Mitchum has a large and quite compact role, picturesque, and not a badly written one. He looked unusually ,unexpectedly well as gunman and smuggler that trades guns and silver for the Mexicans.The plot is in itself quite interesting. The Wonderful Country (1959) is a drama, an action drama set in a western dimension. The director obviously didn't find the fittest approach; while the film's name tells nothing about its content, though it's probably meant to be acidly ironic and disillusioned. For once at the westerns, I was interested in seeing a love story; but not much happens this way. The movie looks like an interesting exercise—like something much better could of been made with this content. But then again, most westerns may give this impression. The directing is, as I said, _uninventive, yet competent on its level. I mean, it keeps the film from looking ridiculous, involuntarily funny or something.Mitchum's part is certainly very likable, very well performed, and eminently enjoyable. It's almost like a study of Mitchum's aptitudes.A certain very virile and mysterious (i.e., rich in intuitive content and cognition) aspect of Mitchum's role reminded me of the Rourke of the '80s. In this western, Mitchum is as interesting, in the same way I mean, as was Rourke in the '80s.What the film needed were action and a pace.But, notwithstanding, interesting western.