Movie : The Professionals

We meet our 4 professionals in various scenes at the top.  They are picked up by a train in the employ of a millionaire who wants to hire the 4 to get his wife back from a Mexican Bandit. She was kidnapped. He is offering the 4 ten grand each to deliver the $100,000 ransom and get his wife back. The odds are not in the four’s favor. They have to travel deep into Mexico through hard, rough country then try to get the woman away from overwhelming numbers. There is also a twist to the job. Two of our guys know the bandit. They fought with him in the Mexican revolution. So we set off with the four as they make their way to get the job done. It’s going to be a rough ride.

CB is a sucker for a good duster with a basic story-line. Go get the girl back and get paid. This film did not disappoint. Richard Brooks directs and uses what’s at his disposal to make a good entertaining picture. His cinematographer Conrad L. Hall captures the environment and takes you into this beautiful hard landscape. Great work. Brooks also casts it near perfect.

Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan, Jack Palance and Woody Strode. Come on man, you can’t miss. They all bring what’s needed to the roles. Burt running around throwing dynamite, Lee playing with guns, Robert taking care of the horses, Woody brings his bow into play and Jack just being Jack and hanging with Claudia Cardinale.

Cool characters, adventure, great setting, bad odds and a western. CB couldn’t lose. The film delivers. If you like westerns I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Films like this made me a movie fan. So bring whatever talent you have to do the job, bring it and join the Professionals.