Watch The Treasure of Pancho Villa For Free

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Rory Calhoun (Tom Bryan), Shelley Winters (Ruth Harris), Gilbert Roland (Juan Castro), Joseph Calleia (Pablo Morales), Fanny Schiller (Laria Morales), Carlos Mosquiz (commandant), Tony Carvajal (Farolito), Pasquel Pena (Ricardo). Director: GEORGE SHERMAN. Screenplay: Niven Busch. Story: J. Robert Bren, Gladys Atwater. Photographed in Eastman Color by William Snyder. Prints in Color by Technicolor and Superscope. Film editor: Harry Marker. Music: Leith Stevens. Art director: Jack Okey. Hair styles: Ruby Felkner. Special effects: Jack Lannon. Unit manager: John E. Burch. Production supervisor: Cliff Broughton. Assistant director: Lew Borzage, Sound recording: Jose Carles, Terry Kellum. RCA Sound System. Producer: Edmund Grainger. An Edmund Grainger Production.Copyright 1955 by Edmund Grainger Productions. Released through RKO- Radio Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Palace: 24 November 1955. U.S. release: 19 October 1955. U.K. release: 30 January 1956. Australian release: 11 October 1956 (sic). Sydney opening at the Palace (ran a pre-determined two weeks). 8,582 feet. 95 minutes. SYNOPSIS: Yankee mercenary aids Villa's guerrillas in Mexico in 1915.COMMENT: A thinly disguised adaptation of For Whom the Bell Tolls (with elements from The Treasure of the Sierra Madre thrown in), even down to the cutting of the heroine's hair. Unfortunately, the snidely smiling Rory Calhoun is no Gary Cooper, and the passably attractive Shelley Winters (hampered by the fervor of her amateurish dialogue) even less an Ingrid Bergman. Gilbert Roland tries hard as a sort of composite moralistic revolutionary, but only Joseph Calleia in the Akim Tamiroff role (Pablo in both films) and his feisty wife, Fanny Schiller (played by Katina Paxinou in Sam Wood's 1943 version), really excel. True, the action scenes are put across with a modicum of panache, but the film often grinds to a shuddering halt for some lengthy dialogue exchanges. Most of these could be heavily scissored to advantage. On the other hand, the rugged Mexican locations are vividly realized and William Snyder's sharply detailed Superscope photography never fails to fascinate.

In 1955 or perhaps '56 I was taken to the cinema by my Mother to see "The Treasure of Pancho Villa". Having not seen this movie again until today (my thanks to the Turner Classic Movie channel!) I really have to wonder about my Mother. As a ten year old I was impressed by the machine gun, by Rory Calhoun and cannot remember much else. Now, all these decades later, I am surprised, shocked even, to realize what a dark and thoughtful film this is, with a very high body count. It has more in common with the later "The Wild Bunch" than with the cheerful Roy Rogers, Cisco Kid, and Lone Ranger of my childhood. Calhoun is very good as the "gringo" mercenary and shows an unexpected complexity and range; Shelley Winters is fine as the borderline insane teacher; and the supporting cast of Latin actors is very good. But the standout is the heroic and monomaniacal character played by Gilbert Rowland. I almost expected a plot twist in which Juan Castro was really Pancho Villa! This did not happen, and the movie is all the better for avoiding that clichéd twist. Rowland is amazing, wearing the complex character like a well-cut trench coat. This turned out to be a much better motion picture than I had remembered. Well worth a look. And with firearms appropriate ot the period, always a pleasant surprise.

One of the best ending's ever - I am waiting for some body to remake this just for the ending - I saw this when I was very little - and never forgot it. Sure it's corny - but done right - its magnificent!Shelly WInters still looked young and attractive - Rory Calhoun was the oiliest man alive, but the concept was great.An American mercenary with a machine gun, men with pistols and horses, and of course gold!And the ending - with the stacks of gold and the two men against the calvary - well young men play at such things. if it was remade I can see any number of actors as the lead - Russell Crowe or George Clooney come to mine, and of course Antonio Bandaras as the co-star. I highly recommend this movie.

In this off-beat tale, Calhoun is an American mercenary that hires himself and his machine gun out to Villas band of revolutionary rebels. There's plenty of action, as the old west meets modern times. Story moves at a nice pace and the cast featurning Calhoun, Roland, and a pre-cellulite Winters make this a worthwhile view.