A superb, political character study framed around the Mexican revolution

Rating: 9/10 (30 July 2008)

Sergio Leone is well known as one of the greatest directors of westerns, with films like the brilliant Once Upon A Time In The West. This film is very different - although you can tell it's a Leone film (the long, near-silent takes, frequent close ups and use of slow motion), it's very different. Framed against the Mexican revolution, it's more political, showing us the brutality of the Federales and the determination of the revolutionaries. James Coburn is excellent, playing a really interesting character - a known killer and a wanted Irish terrorist who still has a sense of humour and honour. His main co-star is Rod Steiger, who perhaps overplays his role as a Mexican bandit, but is nevertheless fantastic - he has some wonderful lines and at times sounds more than a little like Tony Montana from Scarface! The explosives expertise of Coburn's character is put to good use, and there are some impressive explosions and action scenes, especially towards the end. But rather than being a straightforward western, this film has elements of tragedy, comedy and politics to go along with its brooding atmosphere and obligatory action. Whilst not quite up to the standard of Leone's more famous films, this is still a classic.