Bandito, 1956 (film review)

                                         Bandito

Now I happen to like the Mexican Revolution era as a period for its unusual colour and flavour for wargaming. I grew up watching these adventure movies set during the period, so when I saw this particular film was coming on Spanish freeview TV, I settled down for an afternoon of fun and adventure.

The movie was released in 1956, directed by Richard Fleischer and filmed around Acapulco, Mexico.

The film is set in Mexico in 1916 during the revolution. An American mercenary “Wilson” played in a noir, laidback style by Robert Mitchum (who also coproduced the movie), trying to make money out of the conflict.  

Wilson`s basic plan is to intercept a shipment of arms being supplied by another American and sell them to the other side. To do this he first travels to a nearby town by taxi - which is very cool 😁 where a savage battle is taking place between Federal Government forces and the rebels – here we have to assume the rebels are supporters of Francisco Villa, but this is never explained. In order to convince the rebels of his friendly intentions Wilson assists them capturing the town by throwing a couple of grenades, wiping out a pair of field guns and a machine gun in the process!

Wilson & Escobar`s first meeting

In the backgroud here we see Rodolfo Acosta who has over 50 acting credits of his own! 

The rebel Colonel Escobar, played by Gilbert Roland in fine form, would like to take Wilson up on his offer – a 50/50 split on the weapons shipment, but feels he needs to continue his advance onto the next town and has no time to waste. Wilson who has earned the nickname “Alacran” (scorpion) among the wildly happy rebels for his grenade attack, is left behind.

The battle goes badly and Escobar returns with his defeated troops, those extra weapons and ammunition would have turned the tide, so he takes El Alacan`s offer. His men attack a train on which the American arms dealer Kennedy, Played by Zachary Scott is travelling to meet the Federal General. Now the plot gets tricky Kennedy realising he will be captured makes a plan for the Federals to rescue him, but his wife Lisa, played by German actress Ursula Thiess has caught the eye of Wilson and this upsets his plan.

The Federales rescue Lisa, but Wilson is captured by the rebels who blame him for the whole thing going wrong, believing a double cross; both he and Kennedy are to be shot. But of course they escape, meeting up with Lisa who has managed to talk her way out of Federal captivity. Wilson tries to convince Kennedy to give over the arms shipment to Escobar, but he won`t and jealous of the relationship between Wilson and his wife he gets a gun and is about to kill his rival when Escobar shoots him dead.

Luckily for Wilson Escobar has overheard the whole story and now knows Wilson is on the level, after sending Lisa back to the US, the two set off to the coast where they find two barges packed with guns, ammunition, fuel oil and explosives! Unfortunately the Federales have also worked out where the shipment was and arrive in force, Wilson and Escobar hold them at bay with a machine gun. Escobar`s men arrive, but the Federales set-up an ambush, Wilson convinces Escobar to sacrifice half the shipment and fires on the second barge packed with explosives and petrol which explodes devastating the Federal position!!

The film ends with Wilson turning down Escobar`s offer to join the revolution and riding off possibly in search of Lisa?

An interesting movie, the uniforms and weapons are excellent, though we get the usual Hollywood Mexican bandit conundrum where they wear bandoliers with 8mm Mauser ammunition but everyone carries a Winchester 44!! The battle scene in the town is quite well done as is the attack on the train. Mitchum is super cool and Gilbert Roland at his very best.