Touches You

Strong and Moving!

Sadly Over-hyped

All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.

Shalako is directed by Edward Dmytryk and collectively written by J.J. Griffith, Hal Hooper, Scot Finch and Clarke Reynolds. Adapted from the book written by Louis L'Amour it stars Sean Connery, Brigitte Bardot, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, Honor Blackman, Peter van Eyck and Alexander Knox. A Technicolor/Franscope production, music is scored by Robert Farnon and cinematography by Ted Moore.When a hunting party of European aristocrats are led into Apache territory by shifty guide Bosky Fulton (Boyd), it calls for a brave tough guy to try and get them out to safety. Enter Shalako (Connery).A difficult film to review since it undoubtedly has problems, yet with the right expectation level set it plays out a fun and robust Western. It's not nearly as awful as some would have you believe. Really.OK, it's a bit too off kilter for its own good, miscasting is all too evident, with Connery and Bardot particularly standing out, and there isn't enough quality of story to justify the near two hour running time. The Connery issue is sad because it isn't for lack of trying or charisma, a confirmed Western fan, Connery ventured into the genre having just left (temporarily) the James Bond franchise, he attacks the role of Shalako with relish. But he never once convinces in this time period and desperately tries to plug into the socket for some sparks in the "sign posted a mile away" love interest with Bardot. Although there's something sensual about observing Bardot blasting away with rifle in hands, it's just a little too out there, especially since she has make-up apparently done by Dusty Springfield. But if you can buy into the odd European group dynamic that Bardot fronts? Then it can provide some genuinely enjoyable genre passages.Dmytryk structures it soundly without surprises, however, the action sequences hold up very well. With flaming arrows piercing bodies and setting wagons ablaze, combat between rifle and bow is perky. The first Apache attack on the Adobe ruin compound that our odd group are holed up at, is resplendent with Apache leaps and energised attack and defence tactics. There's also a vigorous chase passage involving a coach, while the key battle in the final quarter, up on the mountainside, is well worth the wait. Elsewhere in the cast, Blackman is sexy, Boyd makes for a good scuzzy weasel and Knox gives the most believable performance. Outdoor photography is pleasing, with Almeria in Spain nicely made to look like New Mexico, and the theme music is wonderfully exuberant.There's other problems, not enough Woody Strode, unconvincing smooching, unconvincing mano-mano fight and the closure is hardly barnstorming. And yes, at times it is ridiculous. Yet there's still rewards there for the Western fan who is in an undemanding mood. 6.5/10

A hunting party of European aristocrats is led onto Apache land by arrogant hunting guide Stephen Boyd, in violation of a government treaty. Soon the party is given an ultimatum brokered by G-man Sean Connery. The Europeans stubbornly refuse to leave Apache lands, leading to a violent confrontation and a desperate trek through the hills.This British production is decent enough but it goes on a bit too long. The widescreen photography is excellent, showing off some mighty fine locations and the action is competently handled. However there isn't much sympathy generated by any of the characters in the film.Sean Connery makes an adequate western hero albeit with a Scottish accent, while Woody Strode steals every scene he's in as Connery's number one Apache nemesis.It's true what they say about Connery and Bridget Bardot's lack of on-screen chemistry. Viewers wondering why Bardot has such a loyal cult following won't find any answers here.The worst thing about this film is the awful theme song.

A great film Director Edward Dmytrk created this very different Western film with the title of SHALAKO meaning the word Rain Bringer. Sean Connery, (Shalako Carlin) a hunter and tracker is employed by a group of European people who like to hunt and they decide to visit the Western area of America. Brigitte Bardot, (Countess Lazaar) loves to hunt dangerous animals and is enjoying her trip while she kills a mountain lion. However, all these people never thought that this area of Western America was occupied by Native American Indians and that they were really being threatened and hunted by these people. These European people were so relaxed that they had a large dinner table set up with all the finest china and candle light and food right in the middle of a desert and had no fears of any harm. This is truly a great Louis L'Amour story written by a great American Western Writer. Enjoy.

Based on a Louis L'Amour story, SHALAKo is a standard Western about an ex-Army colonel (a miscast Sean Connery in a really silly cowboy hat) trying to keep a party of Europeans alive after they have invaded Indian territory. A Spanish-made film, the only American in the cast is Stephen Boyd as the party's villainous guide, and he's OK. Well, and Woody Strode is the chief bad Indian! Otherwise, you have a broad spectrum of accents and acting to deal with here. Heavily eyelined Frenchie Brigitte Bardot is a countess from who knows where and German actor Peter Van Eyck plays a stiff-backed baron. Brits Jack Hawkins and Honor Blackman are a couple of English nobility. And so on. Even the butler is foreign. This is one of those glossy European flicks, of which there were quite a few made back in the 1960s and 1970s, and most of which never quite clicked here. In the end, the story comes to nothing. And the endless shots of Spanish desert wear thin after awhile. You may safely skip this one.