Downsized just before production? That might explain the impressive/expensive battle sequences (asst. director/action-specialist José María Ochoa wholly responsible?) while script, cast & character development more in line with a ‘Spaghetti Western’ wannabe. Whatever Mirisch Production Company was shooting for, they settled for journeymen types on both sides of the camera on this 1916 Mexican border story that sees General Pershing send fast-fading/fair-haired star George Peppard across-the-border undercover to neutralize six stolen US cannons and bring back the Revolutionary bandito who stole them (heavily Italian-accented Raf Vallone). Other non-first-choices include journeyman director Paul Wendkos and most of cast. One of whom, devilishly handsome Pete Duel, in a last feature before committing suicide at 31 (still something of mystery) and also a final gig for Mexican cinematographer Antonio Macasoli. Only Hollywood composer Elmer Bernstein (using Brazil’s Heitor Villa-Lobos for Mexican inspiration) along with that super-charged second-unit were likely first-choice. Easy to see how this one might have worked better*, but as it is, the sum far less than its imbalanced parts.
WATCH THIS, NOT THAT/LINK: *Sergio Leone shows what this might have been in his final, and still underappreciated, DUCK YOU SUCKER!/’72. Another filmed-in-Mexico ‘Spaghetti Western.’ https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2008/09/duck-you-sucker-1972.html
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