The Comancheros

1961
Approved
1h 47m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

John Wayne, Ina Balin, Lee Marvin, Nehemiah Persoff, and Stuart Whitman in The Comancheros (1961)

Texas Ranger Jake Cutter arrests gambler Paul Regret, but soon finds himself teamed with his prisoner in an undercover effort to defeat a band of renegade arms merchants and thieves dealing ... Read allTexas Ranger Jake Cutter arrests gambler Paul Regret, but soon finds himself teamed with his prisoner in an undercover effort to defeat a band of renegade arms merchants and thieves dealing with the Comanches known as Comancheros.Texas Ranger Jake Cutter arrests gambler Paul Regret, but soon finds himself teamed with his prisoner in an undercover effort to defeat a band of renegade arms merchants and thieves dealing with the Comanches known as Comancheros.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.8/10

10K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 3 nominations total

Trivia
George Sherman produced this film, and Michael Curtiz directed it. During much of the shooting, Curtiz was seriously ill: he died of cancer shortly after the film's release. On the days when Curtiz was too ill to work, John Wayne took over direction. When the film was completed, he told the studio that he did not want credit as co-director and insisted that Curtiz's name alone appear as director. Wayne performed the same function in 1971 on "Big Jake (1971)," which was directed by Sherman, who took ill during production. Wayne directed the film on the days when Sherman couldn't and again insisted that he not receive co-director credit.

Goofs
The guns used in the movie are Colt Single Action model 1873 revolvers, look-alike Henry lever-action model 1860 rifles, and Winchester model 1892 lever-action rifles. The only correct period guns are the single-shot percussion-cap dueling pistols used in the opening scene.

Quotes
[while Regret and Cutter are tied up as prisoners]
Paul Regret: I wonder if they know how much trouble they're in.

Alternate versions
When originally released theatrically in the UK, the BBFC made cuts to secure an 'A' rating. When released on home video in 1988, the BBFC made cuts of 11 seconds to remove shots of horse-falls to secure a 'PG' rating. For the DVD release, the BBFC made cuts of 8 seconds in 2003 to remove similar shots of horse-falls resulting in a 'PG' rating. To date (December 2014), the film has not been released fully uncut on UK media.

Connections
Featured in Hollywood Remembers Lee Marvin (2000)

Soundtracks
The Comancheros
Music & Lyrics by Tillman B. Franks (as Tillman Franks)

User reviews89

Review

Featured review

9/10

"Yah, Here Come The Rangers, The Best in Texas."

John Wayne made better films with John Ford and Howard Hawks and he even made more historically accurate films. But for pure entertainment value this is the quintessential Duke.

Cecil B. DeMille was of the opinion that motion pictures have to move. He wouldn't have anything to complain about The Comancheros on that score. There's not a dull moment in the film. This was the last directorial effort of Michael Curtiz and he kept the action flowing.

Three things stand out in The Comancheros. First Elmer Bernstein's music keeps the action going. You will be humming that theme days after viewing this film. Secondly the Cinemascope photography is breathtaking even viewing a formatted VHS copy. I remember seeing The Comancheros in the Sheepshead Bay Movie Theatre in Brooklyn as a lad and a theater is where this film should really be viewed.

But mostly since the two of them are on the screen together for about half the film, the chemistry with John Wayne as Texas Ranger Jake Cutter and Stuart Whitman as fugitive Paul Regret is what sets the whole tone of the film. Wayne and Whitman only worked one other time together and that was in The Longest Day. They were such a perfect fit it's a pity they didn't do more together.

This was also the first time the Duke worked with Lee Marvin. Marvin's character is only on screen for about 10 minutes, but you remember him throughout. This is also the final screen appearance of Guinn "Big Boy" Williams who must have done at least fifteen films with Michael Curtiz back in the heyday of Warner Brothers.

The Comancheros deserves an honored place in the performances of John Wayne and can't be beat for entertainment. A MUST for Duke fans.