The Professionals(1966)- Four soldiers of fortune are hired by aged tycoon to rescue his young, kidnapped wife. Lee Marvin, Woody Strode, Robert Ryan and Burt Lancaster star as the four adventurers, with Jack Palance as the bad guy.
Great Western flick, with a close similarity to THE WILD BUNCH. The heros are men whose way of life is fast disappearing, hired by a powerful man to find something he wants. They are hounded every step of the way, and must finally pull off a daring raid.
THE PROFESSIONALS isn't as violent and bloody as THE WILD BUNCH, but it features a similar all star cast of movie tough guys. Everyone does a great job, with Lancaster a particular stand-out, in his natural roguish role.
The aforementioned raid, isn't the standard "ride in ahoopin' and ahollerin', six-guns blazin'" affair. Instead it's a minutely planned SpecOP, old west style. Jack Palance plays, perhaps, his most pleasant villain ever! Lee Marvin's closing line is a killer.
I saw this movie on the big screen. I thought Lee Marvin's pictures of objects in the Mexican camp for Woody Strode's bow and arrow character were silly. The way he presented them so 'matter of factly' struck me funny. I thought the picture in general was a little weak and very predictable, but still entertaining.
Scott H.
Deej, I liked the PROFESSIONALS. It wasn't great, but I liked it very much. Don't forget Claudia Cardinale.
(http://www.lastminute-dvd.com/img/video/cover_big/front-sorted/7000000/07/96/00.jpg)
If you want to see Woody Stode in another good Western catch KEOMA where he also uses the bow and arrow. This Spaghetti Western is one of his better roles.
Post Edited (12-02-04 21:57)