Really Surprised!

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

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

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Mace Bishop (James Stewart) masquerades as a hangman in order to save his outlaw brother from the gallows, runs to Mexico chased by the sheriff's posse and fights against Mexican bandits.The film was shot at the Alamo Village, the movie set originally created for John Wayne's "The Alamo". The Alamo Village is located north of Brackettville, Texas. I wonder how many film sets were strewn about the desert over the years. Of course, many were reused, but with how many westerns were made, it seemed there must have been a lot of small villages going up.Say what you will, but I think James Stewart made the best westerns. John Wayne was a bigger star of the genre and Clint Eastwood picked up Wayne's place later... but James Stewart just has a presence about him, no matter what he was doing, he made you want to watch it.

Bandolero was release on July 1 1968 in United States theaters. Bandolero is a 1968 western directed by Andrew V. McLaglen starring James Stewart, Dean Martin, Raquel Welch and George Kennedy. Andrew V McLaglen directed the movie.Summary: Posing as a hangman, Mace Bishop arrives in town with the intention of freeing his brother Dee from the gallows. Dee and his gang have been arrested for a bank robbery in which Maria Stoner's husband was killed. After freeing his brother, Mace successfully robs the bank on his own after the gang has fled with the posse in pursuit. Dee has taken Maria as a hostage. The posse, led by local sheriff July Johnson and Deputy Roscoe Bookbinder, chases the fugitives across the Mexican border into territory policed by Bandoleros, whom Maria describes as men out to kill any gringos (foreigners) that they can find. Maria further warns Dee that the sheriff will follow, because they have taken the one thing that July Johnson has always wanted: her. Despite initial protestations, Maria falls for Dee and finds herself in a quandary. She had never felt anything for the sheriff, nor for her husband, who had purchased her from her family.Questions: Why did the outlaws take Mrs. Stonier? Who was the hangman? Did the Hangman have anything to do with Dee Bishop? Why did the sheriff go after the outlaws? Was it for the robbery? Was it for Mrs. Stonier? What happen when the Bandoleros and the sheriff crossed paths? What happen to Dee? Who shot Mace? Who shot El Jeffe? My Thoughts: I really didn't think that Raquel Welch could hold her own in a western picture. However, as in the past I was wrong again. Bandolero has a star-studded cast that featured James Stewart, Dean Martin Richard Greer, and George Kennedy. There was a lot of good action in movie that kept you on the edge of your seat. Raquel Welch was fantastic in this picture. Her ability to speak the Mexican language brought her to the for front of this movie. As also watching Raquel Welch bake in the Mexican sun was worth watching in itself alone. I give this movie 10 weasel stars for Raquel Welch talent and her acting ability

Dee Bishop and his gang robs a bank, until the sheriff arrives.They await to be hanged.Then Dee's brother Mace arrives, posing as the hangman Ossie Grimes, and soon they all flee from the sheriff and his posse.And Mace has 10 grand with him, which he robbed when the sheriff went after his brother.And they also have a woman named Maria Stoner with them, whose husband got killed in the robbery.The sheriff July Johnson has some feelings for the woman, and soon does also Dee Bishop.During the chase across the Mexican border they also have the bandoleros to look out.Bandolero! from 1968 is work by Andrew V. McLaglen.It's not the same level with Shenandoah, which this 90-year old director did three years earlier, but this still is an entertaining film.And it has James Stewart and Dean Martin playing Mace and Dee Bishop, who bring some A- quality to this film.And Raquel Welch is quite a woman.And I've always liked George Kennedy, who plays Sheriff July Johnson.Andrew Prine gives a great performance as Deputy Sheriff Roscoe Bookbinder.Will Geer is terrific as Pop Chaney.And so is Tom Heaton as his son Joe.Clint Ritchie is great as Babe Jenkins.Denver Pyle is very good as Muncie Carter.Harry Carey Jr. plays Cort Hayjack and he's superb in his part.Dub Taylor is great as always, this time playing Attendant.Jock Mahoney portrays Stoner.Guy Raymond plays Ossie Grimes.John Mitchum is Bathhouse Customer.This movie is a straight B-western, and it is that with style.It's quite a terrific moment when they're ought to be hanged, but get to escape because of Mace's gun.There's a lot of shooting in the end, when the Mexican villains arrive, and both of the brothers end up dead.A rather sad ending to this western, which also has some light comedy and romance.

I know this may sound ridiculous, but am I the only one who thinks Jimmy Stewart murdered the hangman? What else would he have done? Tied him up and left him to the wolves? Injured him badly enough he was unconscious for more than a day? Isn't it kind of silly that we're supposed to ignore that? He waltzes into town and scolds Dean Martin about 'What would Mother think', right after he murdered an innocent man! Preposterous, you might say...But could the bloodthirsty character of the hangman have been a way to justify his murder? No, no, I'm sure Jimmy just sat down with him and had a heart to heart about the situation, what with the war, and mother dead of heart break, and all, I guess the hangman decided to give him his clothes and horse and walk back to town naked and take the stage coach back to Oklahoma. Don't think so? Well then this movie is about Jimmy Stewart, cold blooded killer.Also, if he had just never rescued his brother, there would be like twenty less fatherless children in that town! Yeah, yeah, I know the response comments like this will get, but I really do think the disappearing hangman is a step too far.