The Professionals
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Movie Reviews of The Professionals
Movie Review: A Treat for Western Lovers......
Summary: 5 Stars
This review refers to the Columbia Western Classics DVD edition of "The Professionals".....
A wealthy Texas oilman's beautiful young wife has been kidnapped and is being held across the border in Mexico. There has been a ransom demand for 100,00 dollars. Four men who have just the right skills needed are hired at great cost to save her from the
hands of "Raza", the merciless captain of the revolution!
"The Professionals" are Lee Marvin, whose expertise would lead the crew through the harsh landscapes, Robert Ryan who is an expert with horses, Woody Strode an excellent scout and never misses his mark and last but certainly not least Burt Lancaster(who has a bit of a problem hanging on to his clothes), is our explosives expert. Scorching deserts, bulletts flying, sand storms, lame horses..none of this will keep our guys from their mission.
It's more than just your run of the mill, save the fair maiden story though. There are several plot twists, lots of action, suspense and adventure to keep you totally involved. And the big question these guys want to know is "what kind of woman is worth that kind of money?"(well, you know this was a long time ago) So what kind of woman....The Claudia Cardinale kind! She is stunning, and fiesty. But what is her part in all this?
The cast seems to get better with every scene. In addition to the legendary actors mentioned above(who all turn in great performances),you'll also find Ralph Bellemy as the rich Texan, and the great Jack Palance is absolutely convincing as Raza. Expert cinematography by Conrad Hall takes in all the desert vistas perfectly, and a teriffic score by Maurice Jarre adds just the right flavor. Richard Brooks directs a real treat for the western lover.
So when I first saw the price of this DVD, I balked. I thought it was a little high and was I was a little worried about how the transfer would be of this 1966 technicolor film. But I love this film, and consider it a Western Classic and being the western lover I am, I had to have it. Well I took a chance and was pleasently surprised at the view. Although the colors seem slightly dated, they were still good and the picture itself in widescreen(full screen on side b if you prefer) was sharp and clear at all times. The remastered audio is in Stereo and sounds great considering the age of this film. The explosions,the galloping of the horses, the dialouge, all distinct. I'm a happy cowgirl with this DVD! There are filmographies, subtitles in several languages, and a theatrical trailer. No other special features though.Just good old western fare.
It is rated PG-13, but may not be suitable for younger views as there are some brief scenes of partial nudity.
Here's an oldie but goodie for Burt Lancaster fans:Vengeance Valley
For fans of Jack Palance - his later work in City Slickers will delight you to no end.
So saddle up and enjoy......Laurie
Movie Review: Exciting western with all-star cast
Summary: 5 Stars
The Professionals is a very entertaining western that does not receive the same hype as many other westerns made during the same time period. It is an excellent story with an even better cast. The story is about the efforts of four men to rescue a railroad tycoon's wife from the Mexican revolutionaries she was kidnapped by. They must travel deep into Mexico to rescue her battling bandits, the weather, and themselves all the way. The film is very good at dealing with the friendships between the men as the time and the land changes much as the Wild Bunch or Butch Cassidy/Sundance Kid did. How can these men change their lives as the world around them changes? The movie blends plenty of great dialogue with a ton of quotable lines, a lively score from Maurice Jarre, and great acting all-around. Can't miss western and highly recommended.
Burt Lancaster gives another excellent performance as Bill Dolworth, the explosives expert, Lee Marvin stars as Rico Fardan, the leader of the men and also a munitions expert, Robert Ryan plays Hans Ehrengard, the horse wrangler who cares so much for his horses, and Woody Strode gives an excellent supporting performance as Jacob Sharp, the adept tracker who dispatches his enemy with bow and arrow. All four give great performances. How could you go wrong with such a cast? Jack Palance is very good as Raza, the leader of the revolutionaries/bandits who has a past with . Ralph Bellamy plays the husband who desperately wants his wife back, played by Claudia Cardinale who looks beautiful. The new Special Edition DVD includes three excellent featurettes, "The Professionals: A Classic," "Burt Lancaster: A Portrait," and "Memories from the Professionals" which includes interviews with Claudia Cardinale, widescreen presentation, and a theatrical trailer. Check out this western if you haven't seen it before! The Professionals is an excellent, action-packed western with a perfect twist at the end, quick snappy dialogue, and a great cast. Do not miss!
Also, if you like the movie check out the novel by Frank O'Rourke, also called a Mule for the Marquesa.
Movie Review: YOU MIGHT LOSE YOUR LIFE, BUT NOT YOUR 5 Stars
I first saw this picture in 1966 when it showed on a regular screen, it's been one of my favorite pictures since, never suspecting I would eventually own a DVD to watch it whenever.
The movie title and most of the story comes from a western novel written by the late Frank O'Rourke, again one of my favorite western writers. Frank is dead and now most of the cast of the The Professionals are too, with Claudia Cardinale being one of the few left.
This picture and its like will never be seen again, the acting and filming are both seamless, everything just fits together. I oft times wonder just how much fun they had making it. But it also had to be hard work, with Burt Lancaster and most of the crew at age 50 or more so the action sequences could not have been easy to perform. In the sun all day, on horse or mule back, would drain almost anyone, as Robert Ryan says "The desert....has not pity."
Though the movie comes directly from the book, having a copy of the book, I feel in this case that the movie is much better than the novel. And I also feel Richard Brooks is one of the real reasons for that. As anyone who has read or seen The White Buffalo can recall, he could write some fine western, historical material.
To sum up my review, I would recommend this picture to one and all who enjoy an excellent picture or an excellent western. There will never be a sequel.
However, a recent western by Andrew J. Fenady released in April, 2008, entitled THE TRESPASSERS is a story in the same vein. No, I do not get paid for pushing the book, but if you enjoyed this movie you will also enjoy this new western that has overtones of The Professionals.
Semper Fi.
Movie Review: CLINT ' S SHADOW
Summary: 5 Stars
In the sixties, Howard Hawks, Richard Brooks, Sam Peckinpah and a few other american directors tried to challenge the -spaghetti- westerns filmmakers who were following the steps of an inspired Sergio Leone. Richard Brooks's THE PROFESSIONALS is, in my opinion, one of the last masterpieces Hollywood has produced in this very peculiar genre : the Western.With a legend of the screen, Burt Lancaster, three first-class actors of the Dream Factory's golden era, Robert Ryan, Jack Palance and Lee Marvin and, at last, an italian star, Claudia Cardinale, Richard Brooks had all the living material to build a solid western. And he did it.
THE PROFESSIONALS is not a lyric movie nor a nostalgic one. Robert Ryan and Lee Marvin don't regret their past, they only try to survive with their particular skills in the 1915-1920 America. They don't feel outcasted by the new century because they have something to believe in : friendship, respect and compassion.
The pathetic couple Jack Palance-Claudia Cardinale has the terrible task to symbolize the ineluctable destiny of all revolutions ; pure in their beginnings, they become soon the whore of all human lowest vices and passions. In this perspective, THE PROFESSIONALS is one of the most realistic movies I've had the opportunity to see. It's also clearly a very personal movie of director Richard Brooks, a director who should absolutely be rediscovered one of these days.
The choice between the wide-screen and the standard (beurk !) version, a trailer, different subtitles and rather extended filmographies as bonus features. Perfect sound and above-average images, even in the multiple night scenes.
A DVD for your library.
Movie Review: The Dirty Who?
Summary: 5 Stars
Look...let me cut right to the chase on this film. It's an ignored classic.
Why...?...I do not know.
I even looked up Lee Marvin under Ask Jeeves and there was a Bio... very detailed... that I pulled up that did not even mention this film.
I think it to be Marvin's best.
Yes...better that the Dirty Dozen which has become a Mantra title for some Marvin fans.
The performances of Marvin and Lancaster are impeccable and charged with a timeless charisma that is also exhibited by Woody Strode and Robert Ryan as well.
I have seen this movie now several times now and could sit down and watch it again and still enjoy it.
Everything about this movie works at just the right time and in just the right way.
This is one of the great films to ever come out of the 1960's and certainly a "have to own" item for any Lancaster, Marvin, Strode or Ryan fan.
Oddly...few people, who love westerns, admire Marvin, Lancaster, Strode or Ryan...have ever heard of it.
Pass the word.....