After the American Civil War, mercenaries travel to Mexico to fight in their revolution for money. The former soldier and gentleman Benjamin Trane meets the gunman and killer Joe Erin and his men, and together they are hired by the Emperor Maximillian and the Marquis Henri de Labordere to escort the Countess Marie Duvarre to the harbor of Vera Cruz.
Acting
Cooper and Lancaster's combustible chemistry.
Cinematography
Technicolor Mexico blazing off the screen.
Direction
Aldrich's cynical edge beneath studio gloss.
Director
Robert Aldrich
Gary Cooper
Benjamin Trane
Burt Lancaster
Joe Erin
Denise Darcel
Countess Marie Duvarre
Cesar Romero
Marquis Henri de Labordere
Sara Montiel
Nina
Ernest Borgnine
Donnegan
Charles Bronson
Pittsburgh
George Macready
Emperor Maximilian
Jack Elam
Tex
James McCallion
Little-Bit
Morris Ankrum
Gen. Ramírez
James Seay
Abilene
Henry Brandon
Capt. Danette
Archie Savage
Ballard
Charles Horvath
Reno
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was the first American film shot entirely on location in Mexico.
Aldrich allegedly cast Lancaster against type as the charming villain after seeing his smile hide something colder.
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