In 1912, the Texas-Mexico border was ablaze with raids by hordes of Mexican bandits calling themselves revolutionaries. To combat them, the U. S. government sent General John (Blackjack) Pershing to deal with the bandit raiders, one of the most dangerous of which was General Hector Cordoba. Some cannons have been stolen by a Mexican gang led by Cordoba. So Captain Douglas (George Peppard) is assigned by General Pershing (John Russell) a dangerous mission, he along with a group of misfits (Don Gordon) set out in pursuit of outlaw gunslingers on the Texas border, circa 1912. Meanwhile, Douglas attempts to liberate a Mexican village besieged by a nasty gang that is ravaging the small town. Douglas is determined to take a group of prisoners (Nico Minardos and Pete Duel, who committed suicide the following year) and strike a blow against the Mexican bandits. He goes to the territorial prison, where a group of renegades and other prisoners are given a chance to redeem themselves. Later, the captain tries to take the stolen cannons and catch the bandit Córdoba (Raf Vallone), with the help of a Mexican officer named Antonio (Gabriele Tinti) and the beautiful Leonora (Giovanna Ralli). They aimed it at the fortress of Córdoba and pulled the trigger! The army followed to pick up the pieces!
The story is partially similar to Richard Brooks' "The Professionals", adding Robert Aldrich's "The Dirty Dozen" with the usual gang of outlaws made up of an eclectic team with diverse specialties, such as dynamite or guns. Implausible story but real action, tense emotion and fun at all times. The film has Western action, exciting driving, explosions, shootouts, it is fun and entertaining, although nothing new, but it shows a TV style at times. The film contains some moments of grisly violence and even touches on the relationships between George Peppard and Giovanna Ralli. This is a so-so and inferior imitation of the original and enduringly popular "The Magnificent Seven" by John Sturges (in fact, it's the same producer Walter Mirish), and turns out to be standard action fare. George Peppard as a two-fisted officer who employs soldiers of fortune is quite good and Don Gordon is likable as his stubborn assistant. Great supporting cast consisting mainly of American actors like John Larch, John Rusell, Greek Nico Minardos, imposing Frenchman Hans Meyer and Italians like the beautiful Giovanna Ralli, Raf Vallone and Gabriele Tinti. And being Pete Duel's last film; in fact, shortly after his character was released from prison, he puts a gun to his head and pulls the trigger. A year after the release of this film, while shooting the second season of the series The Two Musketeers (1971), Duel would commit suicide in this way. For the more experienced, and film buffs who like actors, they can take a look and catch the brief appearances of ordinary Spanish secondary characters from Spaghetti, such as Luis Barboo, Barta Barri, Cris Huerta or Aldo Sambrell.
Filmed in Spain in locations in Hoyo Manzanares, La Pedriza (Madrid) and Andalusia, Almería, where hundreds of Spaghetti Westerns were filmed in the 60s and 70s. In fact, although the production is North American, there is a lot of Spanish technical support, such as the cameramen Antonio Macasoli and Ricardo Navarrete; the first assistant director José María Ochoa; the prestigious expert in 'matte painting' Emilio Ruiz del Río; the special effects and miniatures of Francisco Prósper; the artistic and set designers José María Tapiador, Rafael Salazar, Emilio Ardura, among others.
It has a bright and colorful photography by cameraman Antonio Macasoli . As always, an impressive and memorable soundtrack by maestro Elmer Bernstein in a style similar to his classic 'The Magnificent Seven'. The movie was professionally directed by Paul Wendkos, a regular TV movie director although he also made some westerns for cinema such as 'The Face of a Fugitive' and 'The Magnificent Seven Ride'. Rating: 6/10, acceptable and passable.
