Bandolero! Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Jimmy Stewart steals a hangman’s job to spring Dean Martin from jail, then they all go on a road trip to Mexico, where surprisingly, things don’t go as planned.

🍿 Bandolero!: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Botched Bank Robbery and Capture

Dee Bishop (Dean Martin) and his gang attempt to rob a bank in Val Verde, Texas, leading to a shootout where Maria Stoner’s (Raquel Welch) husband is killed. The gang is quickly apprehended by Sheriff July Johnson (George Kennedy).

Mace’s Deception

Learning of his brother’s capture, Mace Bishop (James Stewart) intercepts the hangman and impersonates him, arriving in Val Verde with a plan to free Dee. Mace skillfully manipulates Sheriff Johnson, setting the stage for a daring escape.

Escape and Pursuit

Mace helps Dee and his gang escape their hanging, but then separately robs the same bank. Dee’s gang takes Maria hostage, and as they flee into Mexico, Mace joins them. Sheriff Johnson, deeply infatuated with Maria, relentlessly pursues them across the border.

Love and Danger South of the Border

As they venture into Mexico, Maria warns of deadly ‘bandoleros’ who prey on outsiders. Despite being a hostage, Maria finds herself falling for Dee, who protects her from his own gang. Johnson’s posse closes in, leading to a tense confrontation.

Alliance Against Bandoleros

The pursuit culminates in an abandoned town where both the posse and the gang are captured by Mexican bandits. Faced with a common enemy, Sheriff Johnson reluctantly releases Dee and his men, forming an uneasy alliance to survive the bandoleros’ brutal attack.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mace Bishop (James Stewart): Mace Bishop is the cunning older brother who poses as a hangman to rescue his outlaw brother, Dee, and then robs the bank himself.
• Dee Bishop (Dean Martin): Dee Bishop is the charming but reckless outlaw brother who botches a bank robbery and finds himself pursued into Mexico.
• Maria Stoner (Raquel Welch): Maria Stoner is the widowed hostage who develops a complex relationship with her captor, Dee.
• Sheriff July Johnson (George Kennedy): Sheriff July Johnson is the determined lawman who relentlessly pursues the Bishop brothers, driven by his unrequited love for Maria.
• Deputy Sheriff Roscoe Bookbinder (Andrew Prine): Deputy Roscoe Bookbinder is the loyal but somewhat naive deputy who assists Sheriff Johnson in his pursuit.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dee Bishop: “Mace, you think we could make a go of it in Montana?” – Dee expresses a desire to leave his life of crime and start anew in Montana.
• Mace Bishop: “Dee, there’s a town up there called Missoula. Prettiest little place you ever saw.” – Mace responds to Dee’s question by describing Montana as a beautiful place.
• Mace Bishop: “Dee, there’s a town up there called Missoula. Prettiest little place you ever saw.” – Mace responds to Dee’s question by describing Montana as a beautiful place.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4.45M
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Bandolero! Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed the dynamic between James Stewart and Dean Martin as brothers. It was unexpected and added a layer of comedy to a traditionally serious genre. Raquel Welch was stunning, and the scenery was classic Western. The ending was a bit of a downer, but overall, I was entertained. If you are in the mood for a classic western, then this should be in your watchlist.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Westerns”
  • “James Stewart enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in action and adventure with some romantic elements”
  • “Those who appreciate the scenery and landscapes of the American West”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence, including gunfights and implied violence”
  • “Brief sexual assault attempt”
  • “Some mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While the cast shines, ‘Bandolero!’ struggles to find its footing. Stewart and Martin’s chemistry is undeniable, but the script lacks depth, and Welch’s performance feels somewhat out of place. The action sequences are engaging, but the overall story feels disjointed, making it a watchable but not memorable Western.
• The New York Times: “A solid western boosted by a strong cast. The interplay between Stewart and Martin provides humor and heart. Welch’s presence adds visual appeal, even if her acting is uneven. Despite some plot inconsistencies, the film delivers exciting action and a satisfying, if somewhat downbeat, conclusion.

Audience Reactions

Stewart’s comedic timing and Martin’s charm make this an enjoyable watch.: Viewers appreciated the unique blend of humor and action, and the strong performances of the lead actors.

Overall Consensus: A generally well-received Western, noted for its star power and blend of humor and action, though some find the plot and some of the acting uneven.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie was filmed primarily in Alamo Village, a movie set originally created for John Wayne’s The Alamo, located near Brackettville, Texas.”
• “Jerry Goldsmith’s score for ‘Bandolero!’ borrows heavily from Neal Hefti’s score for ‘Duel at Diablo’.”
• “James Stewart’s character, Mace Bishop, disguises himself as a hangman, and a scene was cut showing that he did not murder the hangman to take his place.”

🖥️ How to Watch Bandolero!?

Bandolero! is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as it may also be offered as part of a subscription or for individual purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Bandolero!, you might like these similar films:

• The Sons of Katie Elder (1965): Features Dean Martin as one of several outlaw brothers with a notable cast.
• Rio Bravo (1959): A classic Western with Dean Martin also starring, focusing on camaraderie and holding off outlaws.
• The Wild Bunch (1969): A gritty, violent Western about outlaws in Mexico, released shortly after Bandolero!

🛒 Bandolero! Related Products

• Bandolero! [Blu-ray]: A Blu-ray edition of the movie that delivers enhanced picture and audio quality, making it a must-have for collectors and fans.
• Jerry Goldsmith – Bandolero! (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): A soundtrack that features Jerry Goldsmith’s exciting and iconic score, capturing the essence of the film’s action and drama.
• Raquel Welch Poster: A high-quality poster featuring Raquel Welch in her iconic role, perfect for decorating your home theater or fan cave.
• Western Movie Trivia Game: This game challenges your knowledge of classic westerns including Bandolero!. Perfect for a family night or a get together with friends.

🎧 Soundtrack

Bandolero! features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Bandolero!” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “Shoo, Fly, Don’t Bother Me” – performed by Traditional (Arranged by Cyril J. Mockridge)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Great Western Movie Actors (with the Theme from “Bandolero!”)

Ever wondered who the iconic faces of Westerns are? This video celebrates them all while featuring the awesome theme music from ‘Bandolero!’ – definitely worth a watch for any Western fan!

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