Watch Bandit! For Free

Very disappointing...

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

A fairly routine Western -- shot nicely in Mexico by Richard Fleischer and his crew. Mitchum is an observer of the Civil Wars during the early 1900s and manages to wangle a barge load of weapons for the good guys, in this instance the rebels, out of treacherous, avaricious Zachary Scott. Scott gets what's coming to him and Mitchum gives the guns away to rebel leader Gilbert Roland but gets Scott's admirable ex-wife anyhow.I got a little lost towards the middle. Well, anyone might find it a little confusing, what with Gilbert Roland and the rebels on one side, and Victor Junco (in a believable performance) and the Army on the other. The plot never makes it entirely clear which side is the more virtuous, although with the affable Gilbert Roland we can make a good guess.Also there's enough intrigue to confuse anyone. Who will Scott's wife, Ursula Thiess, finally cleave to. But again, with Mitchum, there isn't too much doubt.Several action scenes and some nice location shooting liven up a plot that doesn't come anywhere near gripping. At the end I was glad Mitchum hadn't been executed. Of course I didn't want the helpful and sympathetic priest killed either. Ursula Thiess I also wanted to see live, but only just barely, because I don't like seeing women plugged on screen.Otherwise -- how do you convey a shrug in print?

Disliked by some, the United Artists release BANDIDO (1956) is a reasonably enjoyable semi-western. Produced by Robert L.Jacks it is a handsomely mounted adventure in early Cinemascope and DeLuxe color arrestingly photographed by the great Ernest Laszo. Based on a story by Earl Felton, who also wrote the screenplay, the buoyant direction was by Richard Fleischer. Although something of a stranger when it came to making westerns Fleischer delivers the goods here without any trouble. His evocation of the Mexican revolution in 1916 (curiously the same year when the director was born) is perfectly established from the very opening shot and the bracing narrative is adhered to throughout its 92 min. Without any reason Fleischer is something of an underrated picture maker! Yet, classics like "Trapped" (1949), "Armored Car Robbery" (1950),"The Narrow Margin" (1952), "The Vikings" (1958), "Compulsion" (1959) and "Tora Tora,Tora" (1970) assure his standing as one of Hollywood's master craftsmen. While BANDIDO doesn't reach the lofty heights of any of these titles it nevertheless is still a fairly engrossing slice of entertainment.With bullets whizzing all around him American adventurer and gun runner Wilson (Robert Mitchum) arrives literally into the thick of the Mexican revolution to offer his services to the rebel side. Together with the leader Escobar (Gilbert Roland) and his men they set out to steal a major shipment of guns and ammunition from American arms dealer Kennedy (Zachary Scott) - not to mention Mitch himself giving Mrs. Kennedy (Ursula Thiess) the glad eye in the bargain. The picture ends with the rebel side finally getting possession of the huge cache of arms and using them in a fierce battle with the Federal troops.Performances are generally good throughout and the picture maintains an engaging pace. Dressed in Panama hat and white suit Mitchum, on one of his favourite stomping grounds Mexico, is very likable in his usual somni-eyed fashion. But the picture belongs to the charismatic Gilbert Roland. As Escobar he is the quintessential rebel leader. It is a part he was born to play. Good too is Zachary Scott as Kennedy the ill-fated arms dealer. However, there is a problem with the casting of the female lead! Ursula Thiess, an actress of limited appeal and with a gossamer thin screen presence, is dull and flat in her portrayal of the unhappy and bored Mrs. Kennedy. Whatever possessed the Mitchum character to be attracted to her in the first place is anyone's guess.Adding to the atmosphere is the fine score by the legendary Max Steiner. On loan from Warners this would be the composer's one and only score for a United Artists picture. The main title is a turbulent and aggressive full orchestral piece which points up the struggle and resolve of the Mexican proletariat. Then there is a wonderful central theme heard in different guises in the film as the mood demands. One winning rendition has it hauntingly sung by a guitar playing revolutionary at night. There is also a spirited military march for the Federal troops and some terrific action cues in the familiar Steiner manner for the many battle sequences. That same year 1956 the great Steiner would conceive his brilliant masterwork for John Ford's monumental "The Searchers".Not an outstanding movie by any stretch of the imagination but BANDIDO remains a reasonably good stroke of entertainment played out by an attractive cast and nicely structured by its makers. Well worth a peek!

...and nobody seems to care too much.The political background is completely absent and boils down to the "regular army" against the "rebels.Like in the good old Maximilian von Hasburg/Juarez days.Plus ça Change..Enter Kennedy and his wife:he wants to sell ammunition to the Army ;his wife is some kind of bait;her husband" pawns" her when necessary .Enter Wilson:he sides with the rebels and of course he falls in love with... It's Mitchum's character ...nuff said Robert Mitchum does not seem to care a little bit about what happens in Mexico.His face remains impassive.As he tells Escobar "I have fun and I make money".A minor Fleischer,moderately entertaining.

You can usually count on Richard Fleisher to deliver the goods, and here he does not disappoint. Robert Mitchum as an American soldier-0f-fortune gives a good performance. However, the always reliable Zachary Scott virtually steals the movie in the heavy role. The film was shot on location and that certainly adds to the fun. I recommend this film.