The Mercenary Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Polish dude teaches a Mexican guy how to be a revolutionary, mostly so he can get paid, while a flamboyant American dude with a questionable wig tries to ruin everything.

🍿 The Mercenary: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Chance Encounter and Flashback

The film opens with Sergei ‘Polack’ Kowalski, a well-groomed and cynical Polish mercenary, attending a circus performance near the US-Mexico border. He recognizes the rodeo clown as Paco Roman, a former comrade from their days fighting in the Mexican Revolution. This sparks a flashback detailing their initial encounter and subsequent alliance.

From Mine Worker to Revolutionary

Before becoming a revolutionary, Paco was a mine worker under the oppressive Elias Garcia. After rebelling and humiliating Garcia, Paco becomes a wanted man. Meanwhile, Kowalski is hired to transport Garcia’s silver across the border. A flamboyant American rival of Kowalski’s, Curly, intercepts and kills Garcia, setting the stage for a confrontation.

An Unlikely Partnership

Kowalski arrives at the mine to find Paco and his revolutionaries instead of Garcia. Garcia’s troops attack, and Kowalski agrees to help Paco fight them off for a hefty price. Impressed by Kowalski’s skills, particularly his use of a Hotchkiss M1914 machine gun, Paco hires him to teach the revolutionaries how to effectively wage war. This marks the beginning of their volatile but ultimately effective partnership.

Revolutionary Road and Rising Tensions

The revolutionaries embark on a campaign, raiding towns for resources. Along the way, they meet Columba, a former prisoner who joins their cause. She initially disapproves of Paco’s violent tactics and over-reliance on Kowalski, causing friction within the group. As they achieve more success, the financial burden imposed by Kowalski strains the group and threatens to fracture the alliance.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sergei Kowalski (Franco Nero): A greedy Polish mercenary who sells his services to the highest bidder during the Mexican Revolution.
• Paco Roman (Tony Musante): An idealistic mine worker turned revolutionary who seeks Kowalski’s help to overthrow the Mexican government.
• Curly (Jack Palance): A flamboyant and vengeful American rival mercenary who pursues Kowalski and Paco.
• Columba (Giovanna Ralli): A dedicated and fiery female radical who fights alongside Paco and becomes his moral compass.
• Alfonso García (Eduardo Fajardo): A corrupt Colonel in the Mexican army who seeks to crush the revolution.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kowalski aka the Pole: “Good luck, Paco! Keep dreaming… but with your eyes open!” – Kowalski’s final words to Paco, offering a cynical but supportive send-off after saving him from an ambush.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $25,000
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Mercenary Reviews

Personal Review

I loved The Mercenary! The opening scene with the circus and the clown fight instantly hooked me. Franco Nero is so cool as the Polish mercenary, and the music is incredible. I especially liked the bullring showdown with the music by Ennio Morricone, which Quentin Tarantino plundered for Kill Bill. A wild ride!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Spaghetti Westerns”
  • “Viewers interested in films about the Mexican Revolution”
  • “Those who enjoy action-packed movies with a touch of dark humor”
  • “Admirers of Franco Nero and Jack Palance”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Gun violence”
  • “War themes”
  • “Implied torture”
  • “Brief male nudity”

Professional Reviews

• CBR: “CBR highlights The Mercenary as an incredible film, noting that it was released the same year as Corbucci’s 100% Rotten Tomatoes masterpiece. It’s praised as an underrated Spaghetti Western, that blends action and political undertones. Definitely a must-see for Western genre fans.
• IMDB: “Reviews on IMDB say that The Mercenary is praised for Franco Nero’s strong performance and Ennio Morricone’s excellent music. Its fast-paced action and interesting characters make it worth watching, although the story can be ridiculous where the impossible keeps happening over and over.

Audience Reactions

Viewers praise Franco Nero’s performance as Kowalski and Jack Palance’s role as the bad guy.: The memorable Ennio Morricone soundtrack and the stylized action sequences are fan favorites.

Overall Consensus: A highly enjoyable Spaghetti Western with great action, music, and performances, though some find the plot ridiculous.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sergio Corbucci originally wanted James Coburn for the role of Kowalski, but Coburn quit over billing disputes, leading to Franco Nero’s casting.”
• “Ennio Morricone’s score, particularly the track “L’Arena,” gained later fame when Quentin Tarantino used it in “Kill Bill: Volume 2.””
• “The film was shot on location in Almería, Spain, a common location for Spaghetti Westerns due to its desert landscapes resembling Mexico.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Mercenary?

As of October 26, 2023, “The Mercenary” (Il Mercenario) is available for purchase on Amazon. Check your preferred streaming platforms such as Prime Video or Apple TV for rental or purchase options as availability may vary. You can also check local listings for potential television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Mercenary, you might like these similar films:

• A Fistful of Dynamite (1971): Both films are Spaghetti Westerns set during the Mexican Revolution, featuring a cynical foreigner teaming up with a local revolutionary.
• Django (1966): Also directed by Sergio Corbucci and starring Franco Nero, this film shares a similar violent and stylized approach to the Western genre.
• The Wild Bunch (1969): Set in the same era, this film features a group of aging outlaws operating near the Mexico–United States border.

🛒 The Mercenary Related Products

• The Spaghetti Western Bible: How to Make a Good Bad Movie: Dive into the world of Spaghetti Westerns with this guide, exploring the history, style, and techniques of the genre, offering valuable insights for fans and aspiring filmmakers.
• Django Unchained [Blu-ray]: A stylish and violent Spaghetti Western pastiche by Quentin Tarantino, featuring a bounty hunter who frees a slave and seeks to rescue his wife from a cruel plantation owner.
• Ennio Morricone – The Legendary Italian Film Music Composer: A musical odyssey through the composer’s most iconic scores, complete with rare tracks and insights, perfect for any Morricone admirer.
• The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Ultimate Edition [Blu-ray]: This enhanced Blu-ray edition includes restored footage, insightful commentary, and behind-the-scenes documentaries, showcasing the film’s impact on cinema.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “L’Arena” – performed by Ennio Morricone
• “Ricciolo” – performed by Ennio Morricone

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

ENNIO MORRICONE -The Mercenary/ “L’Arena” (1968)

Ever wondered what gives ‘The Mercenary’ that unforgettable Spaghetti Western vibe? It’s all thanks to Ennio Morricone’s incredible score! Check it out—you might even recognize it from another Quentin Tarantino film. I have to admit I was instantly hooked from the beginning.

✨ Rate