THE PROFESSIONALS is adventurous western film, that offers an exciting and very tense heroic action in a dangerous and inaccessible desert landscape. An unusual introduction, brutal actions without excessive melodrama and a constant cynicism are the biggest advantages of this film. The script was adapted from the novel "A Mule for the Marquesa" by Frank O'Rourke.
During the Mexican Revolution, a powerful and wealthy rancher hires four men, who are all experts in their respective fields, to rescue his kidnapped wife Maria from the clutches of the desperado Raza. Raza is a former revolutionary leader. The professionals ravels 100 miles into Mexico to retrieve the woman. After crossing the Mexican border, the team tracks the bandits to their hideout. They witness soldiers on a government train being massacred by Raza's small army. The professionals follow the captured train to the end of the line and retake it from the bandits. Their rescue operation is successful, but it seems that a rich rancher's not telling the truth...
Charismatic characters are skillfully grooved between their professionalism, past, justice and truth. The money as a powerful motive is contrary to their ideals. However, money is part of their job, even if they do not reach it.
The atmosphere is very good, the characterization is not bad either.
Lee Marvin as Henry 'Rico' Fardan is a former military officer and expert on modern weapons. He is a former participant in the Mexican Revolution, which left big scars in his heart. Fardan is a mysterious character with a high degree of respect for his work, revolution and past. Burt Lancaster as Bill Dolworth is an expert in explosives. Dolworth is an impulsive character who will accept any bid and draw the best from it. It seems that his weakness are beautiful, rebellious and strong women such as Maria (Claudia Cardinale) and Chiquita (Marie Gomez) Robert Ryan as Hans Ehrengard is a horse trainer who adopts a brutal lesson from his colleagues. Woody Strode as Jake Sharp is a master of crafts as a traditional Apache scout.
Jack Palance as Jesus Raza is a typical character of a revolutionary, who has, after the disappointment in his ideal, became a bandit. Ralph Bellamy as Joe Grant is sort of the epitome of what comes after every bloody revolution.
During the Mexican Revolution, a powerful and wealthy rancher hires four men, who are all experts in their respective fields, to rescue his kidnapped wife Maria from the clutches of the desperado Raza. Raza is a former revolutionary leader. The professionals ravels 100 miles into Mexico to retrieve the woman. After crossing the Mexican border, the team tracks the bandits to their hideout. They witness soldiers on a government train being massacred by Raza's small army. The professionals follow the captured train to the end of the line and retake it from the bandits. Their rescue operation is successful, but it seems that a rich rancher's not telling the truth...
Charismatic characters are skillfully grooved between their professionalism, past, justice and truth. The money as a powerful motive is contrary to their ideals. However, money is part of their job, even if they do not reach it.
The atmosphere is very good, the characterization is not bad either.
Lee Marvin as Henry 'Rico' Fardan is a former military officer and expert on modern weapons. He is a former participant in the Mexican Revolution, which left big scars in his heart. Fardan is a mysterious character with a high degree of respect for his work, revolution and past. Burt Lancaster as Bill Dolworth is an expert in explosives. Dolworth is an impulsive character who will accept any bid and draw the best from it. It seems that his weakness are beautiful, rebellious and strong women such as Maria (Claudia Cardinale) and Chiquita (Marie Gomez) Robert Ryan as Hans Ehrengard is a horse trainer who adopts a brutal lesson from his colleagues. Woody Strode as Jake Sharp is a master of crafts as a traditional Apache scout.
Jack Palance as Jesus Raza is a typical character of a revolutionary, who has, after the disappointment in his ideal, became a bandit. Ralph Bellamy as Joe Grant is sort of the epitome of what comes after every bloody revolution.