Movie trailer voice-over: They destroy an army. . . they sabotage a train. . . they capture a town. . . they fight with every dirty trick in the book. . . and they’re the heroes of this picture!
Often considered the best year for westerns (which is saying something), 1969 brought forth a wide array of spectacular and dynamic films (ranging from traditional to more modern style fare) – Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, True Grit, The Wild Bunch, The Undefeated, Paint Your Wagon, Mackenna’s Gold, Support Your Local Sheriff!. . . the list goes on and on. Also add 100 Rifles, co-adapted and directed by Tom Gries (from the 1966 novel The Californio), to that illustrious list.
Set in 1912, the narrative brings together three intersecting storylines in a rather engaging way: a beautiful young woman, Sarita (Raquel Welch), is forced to hang from her father’s legs as he is being hung (helping him die a little bit quicker); a half-Yaqui, half Alabaman robber, Joe Herrera (Burt Reynolds), hides out somewhere in Mexico (after having just stolen six thousand dollars from an American bank), while an African American officer, Lyedecker (Jim Brown), is on the hunt for this slippery fellow.
A flamboyant, fly-by-night type, Herrera’s hideout is less secretive than you might think. . . holed up in a hotel room with a beautiful young woman (a fiery cameo from Soledad Miranda – who would tragically die just one year later in a car crash in Portugal. . . just 27 years of age), just outside his window lies the sadistic General Verdugo (Fernando Lamas) and his German sent military advisor, Von Klemme (Eric Braeden – yes, a young role for the incomparable Victor Newman). . . who just happens to be having a chat with the aforementioned American lawman.
With these two vomitous masterminds controlling the Mexican landscape, it is somewhat akin to the end of Spartacus’ rebellion (in ancient Roman times), for we see countless Yaqui Indians hanging from telephone poles and along the railroad tracks – warnings to anyone thinking of combatting this current regime.
As these things do, Herrera and Lyedecker find themselves almost fatefully bound together (figuratively, and, at times, literally), the General very interested in knowing where the six thousand dollars is (meaning that someone like Lyedecker will have no chance of transporting the man back to the States). . . and, if you’re wondering what these two think happened to the money, the most popular suggestion is whiskey and whores (something the thief proudly approves of).
Yet, let us not forget the title of the film. . . for, in reality, that is exactly what the money was used to purchase – 100 rifles for the Yaqui resistance, which, in many ways, is being run by Sarita and her mute, six foot six bodyguard Humara (Michael Forest) – Herrera their wildcard hire (a man who is as much in as he is out of the cause).
With one of the highest death counts imaginable, 100 Rifles is an exploitation style American version of a spaghetti western. Featuring one of the first interracial sex scenes, Brown and Welch broke down barriers, a steamy sequence that is impossible to forget. And, speaking of Welch, the filmmakers attempted to get her nude several times in the movie. . . though she never does true nudity, what she does with the role is arguably sexier (two memorable examples include a distracting flash manoeuver and her wet shirt shower scene).
Filmizon.com’s Nikolai Adams with Michael Forest, who plays Humara in 100 Rifles
Featuring a charismatic cast (though, as you might observe, it is unlikely that you would get away with some of that casting today), Reynolds is a one-liner machine (charismatic in a cocky and brash kind of way – always on the edge between good guy and dirty scoundrel), while Welch is a strong, scorching force in her unwanted role as honorary head of this ragtag guerilla militia, and Brown is surprisingly solid in his role – becoming one of the first African American action stars on the silver screen (and where his character arc goes is truly inspirational for the time – as it still is today). Plus, I’ve got to give props to my old acquaintance Michael Forest, making a most entertaining and larger than life role out of a silent character that probably didn’t look like much on the page. Click on the following link (of my interview with him from 2016) and jump to the two minute mark to hear Forest’s recollections of the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZugwHHuwWk
Shot in Almeria, Spain (where a lot of iconic spaghetti westerns were filmed, including Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy), the arid desert landscapes are absolutely stunning (especially a sequence revolving around the ruins of a giant structure). . . a perfect backdrop for the over the top action which is front and centre.
A classic B western, 100 Rifles is about as much fun as you could have with this type of film (if you don’t take it too seriously). Its action is packed, its characters are larger than life, and its relatively simple story still holds up (though it is by no means anything special). It also features a scrumptious score from the great Jerry Goldsmith. A final funny little quip. . . when the producers spoke to Reynolds about the project and his fellow cast members – Brown and Welch, he cheekily said, “Keep his shirt off and her shirt off and give me all the lines”. So, revisit this most special year for the American western, you’re not likely to see one like this again, pardner.