| Brooks' Professionals |
This action packed western set in the early 1900's boasts a star cast of he-men only rivaled by "The Dirty Dozen"(which Marvin was also in) and "The Wild Bunch" (Robert Ryan). Along with Ryan and Marvin for the ride is Woody Strode, Burt Lancaster, Ralph Bellamy and Jack Palance as the former buddy of Lancaster & Marvin, now a wanted bandido. Also the luscious Claudia Cardinale is the crew's bounty and she still looks great in her '60s or early 70's (she's featured in interview section on Special Features). The plot may be old-hat but the execution by director Richard Brooks isn't. There's plenty of room for some character development and also some tart dialogue--things that are missing from a lot of the action movies nowadays --particularly Bruokheimer's and Bay's films. Cardinale has been kidnapped by Palance and it's up to the Marvin-Lancaster-Ryan-Strode team to get her back and deliver her to her husband (Bellamy). But all is not what it seems to be for this quartet and treachery abounds along the way. I saw this flick back in '65 while en route to the military (Air Force) and it's been shown countless times on TCM. This film still holds up and I strongly recommend this to all action addicts since the Blu-ray version will be out as June 10th. Definitely put this on your "must have" list!! Also though Lancaster is billed ahead of Marvin in the credits it's Marvin who is the prime mover in this flick just as he was in "Dozen"--he'll be missed as well as Ryan, Lancaster & Strode (the mysterious gunman in "Once Upon a Time in the West"). So go see it for these heroic men of honor!! As a further update on this review, I've already viewed the new Blu-ray edition of this action classic--and like it's heroes--it delivers with a great picture!! |
4 Rating
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| Why Aren't These Four "Professionals" Running Our Border Patrol? |
I haven't seen this film in years, but when it came out, I remember seeing it several times in one week. The script is quick and witty, the use of the correct weapons is a great technical and historical triumph and the acting under Richard Brooks direction is flawless.
It truly is one of the great classic action films. |
5 Rating
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| Old Dog Tricks |
I've always loved Westerns, but The Professionals far exceeded my expectations. David Brooks both wrote the script and directed this 1966 adventure, based on a book by the great Western writer, Frank O'Rourke.
The story takes place shortly after the Mexican Revolution, a transitional period in U.S. history, when men who fought beside Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders, served in the Philippine campaign, and joined ranks with Pancho Villa, suddenly find their skills and heroics out of style, leaving them with nothing else to do but try to survive on the fringes of a diminishing frontier.
No sooner does the title of the movie fade, as soon as the opening credits roll, Brooks gives us a quick sketch of the four main characters. Rico Farden (Lee Marvin), ex military officer now reduced to demonstrating automatic weapons; Ehrengard (Robert Ryan), ex cavalry man, now working as a cattle boss, wrangler and pack master; Jake (Woody Strobe), a sharp shooter, scout and tracker - specialist with the long bow - now a bounty hunter; and, Bill (Burt Lancaster), Rico's best friend, once a genius with dynamite, now a shady prospector and wildcatter, and always, a lover of women ("Any size, any age, any color. Any woman.")
These four men are brought together one last time by a corporate landowner, H.G. Grant (Ralph Bellamy), to undertake a dangerous mission only men with their unique experience could hope to achieve. They're offered a large reward to successfully rescue Grant's beautiful Latin wife (Claudia Cardinale) kidnapped for ransom by the notorious Villa bandit, Jesus Raza (Jack Palance), who is hiding somewhere in the barren desert of Mexico.
Each character's special skills are called into play. Each faces a test that reveals a surprising turn. Underneath this fast moving, entertaining, witty action film are deeper questions. Are there winners in the battles for freedom? Does anything really change? Who are the good guys? Who are the bad?
The cast makes a perfect ensemble. I think this is Burt Lancaster's best film. Not only does he steal the show as rogue, cynic, and trickster, but his part gives him a chance to show off the agility he developed as a circus performer, before he became an actor.
If ever you've considered writing an action adventure film that's tight and lean with sharp edged minimalist dialogue, or to direct a fast moving story with surprising plot and character twists, incredible cinematography, and an understated blend of music and natural sound, Richard Brook's The Professionals is a film that will teach much about what makes this art form great.
And if all you want is to see a really entertaining western, The Professionals is a great ride.
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5 Rating
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