The Professionals

I think I've already said it often enough, but I am a sucker for Western movies (the genre that is, if you allow it to be one). And it's not different in this case. And while I try to refrain from saying things like "they don't them like this anymore" (or no more for added dramatic effect or something) ... it really does sound and ring true with this one. Great cast overall and an intriguing story with colorful characters (no pun intended). The shootouts may seem weird to those who have experienced those as a kid - tough for me to judge, but the whole "peng peng" felt real to me and was how I thought guns would sound like (and gun fights would occur). A bit of suspension of disbelief is necessary and will only help you enjoy this movie. Some of the dialog is also well put together (like the go to hell, I'm on my way to name just one). Quality filmmaking, with so many things done right, that the title may feel like a pun ... but I don't think it was meant that way

Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for the film, writer and director Richard Brooks, and cinematographer Conrad L. Hall. A western that is beautifully done, and seems to have been overlooked by those who rate Westerns. A splendid cast with Lee Marvin (Cat Ballou), Burt Lancaster (Elmer Gantry, From Here to Eternity), Jack Palance (City Slickers, Claudia Cardinale (A Girl in Australia, Il giorno della civetta), and Robert Ryan (Crossfire). Also, of note is Marie Gomez, who got a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Chiquita. Great action and an excellent script. An enjoyable western classic.

This was an excellent movie with only one minor quibble on my part. Towards the end, when Burt Lancaster is taking on the Jack Palance and his men in the canyon, the dialog suddenly becomes REALLY annoying and at one point consists of about 15 metaphors spoken by both characters in about 2 minutes time--as well as the many clichés! What happened to the good dialog prior to this? Well, I guess any writer can have a lull. Apart from that, the acting and writing are good. I especially like the actors they chose--I always like seeing Woody Strode, and Ryan, Lancaster and Marvin are all good as tough but professional guns for hire. And, despite Cardinale being Italian and Palance being an American, both were fine as Mexicans. Really I have no complaints about the movie except for the still scene in the canyons--WHAT occurred wasn't the problem it was just how the characters suddenly TALK and TALK and TALK--something that was thankfully avoided in the first 80% of the movie.