This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The hangman is summoned to take care of a band of bank robbers lead by Dee Bishop (Dean Martin). But the real hangman never makes it. Instead, Dee's brother Mace (James Stewart) takes his place. Just as the robbers are about to have their necks snapped, Dee uses Mace's gun to make a daring escape. With a posse hot on their heels, the gang heads for Mexico. Along the way, they pick up a hostage, Maria Stoner (Raquel Welch). Maria just happens to be the widow of one of the men killed in the bank holdup. They've got a good lead on the dogged sheriff, but once they enter Mexico, they're in bandolero country. They'll have to elude,not only the sheriff, but the local bandits if they're to escape.As is obvious from the rating I've given Bandolero!, I enjoy this movie. It's not perfect - far from it in fact - but it's got a lot going for it that really works on me. First, the opening 45 minutes with the robbery, hanging, and escape moves at a really nice pace. It's a nice way to get things kicked off. Second, the acting is stellar and a real key to my overall enjoyment. Stewart gives a surprisingly touching performance that I wasn't expecting in a movie like Bandolero! Martin plays it straight and comes off looking like a real actor. Welch isn't great, but goes a long way to redeeming herself in the film's finale. The supporting cast is top notch with Will Geer, Denver Pyle, Andrew Prine, Guy Raymond, and George Kennedy. Kennedy, in particular, is worth mentioning. He plays against type and imbibes his Sheriff July Johnson with unexpected vulnerability.Third, i got a real kick out of Jerry Goldsmith's score. Seemingly inappropriate at times, it reminded me a bit of something you'd hear from Morricone in an Italian Western - not an American made Western. There are other touches here and there, like some really impressive scenery, but I won't go into detail. The biggest complaint i have is with the plotting and pacing after the initial escape. Once in Mexico, the film settles into a predictable pattern - ride, camp, attempted rape, Dean Martin saves the day - repeat. Still, the overall film is entertaining enough for me to rate a 7/10.

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.

When I first watched the movie I thought it was an okay pot boiler. Raquel Welch is as hot as a woman could be dressed in 1860s clothes. Then I watched it again after reading someone's comments about how some of the characters are the same as Lonesome Dove. If you enjoyed Lonesome Dove, watch this it will become much more interesting. The credits show it was scripted by James Lee Barrett based on a story by Stanley Hough. No mention of McMurtry but there has to be some connection.In both you have sheriff July Johnson with deputy Roscoe chasing a woman who is running with an outlaw named Dee. It's Dee Bishop instead of Dee Boot. Watch it and you will probably find more similarities.If nothing else Raquel Welch is smoking hot and the rest of the cast is really solid. Take a look sometime.

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.