Shalako

Sean Connery's first big venture following his initial departure from the role of 007 and an adaptation of the Louis L'Amour novel of the same name, Shalako mostly prides itself on its cast more than anything else; reuniting Sean with Honor Blackman and featuring alongside the gorgeous Brigitte Bardot, it's a watchable movie for sure, but it doesn't completely live up to the interesting premise it lays bare in its opening act. Edward Dmytrick's final western, his direction is serviceable but far from what he's more well known for; the script meanders around, often moving at a snail's pace, especially in the second half. It attempts to keep a realistic survivalist tone but all that comes crashing down into total ridiculousness by the final act and nonsensical ending; granted the cast is doing their best with the material and the action, though sparse, is well shot and choreographed. Backed by some wonderfully colourful photography by Ted Moore, a passable score by Robert Farnon and a completely laughable title song, Shalako won't be a film you'll be itching to rewatch anytime soon, however, it's worth a watch for curiosity's sake even if it is more or less disposable.

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shalako was a great idea and a good film in hindsight however it wont probably be the most amazing fikm youll ever see and certainly not the most amazing western ever made. first of all, the actress performance was below sufficient and credible and some of the shots did not synchronise with the action. not worth wasting two hours upon.

140915: Definitely think this movie is higher than its current rating of 27%. Decent film, just a bit different and a little bit slow at times. Interesting premise, a foreign hunting safari in the old west confronted by Apaches. Was odd hearing all the accents, especially Connery's classic James Bond tone. A much younger Connery. Bardot looking hot. Some good action.

Directed by Edward Dmytryk (The End of the Affair (1955), Mirage (1965) and Alvarez Kelly (1966)), this is maybe one of the oddest westerns to have been made in the 1960's, maybe along with The Singer Not the Song (1961), especially with an unconventional cast and even other British actors on screen. But, would you believe it, the whole enterprise actually works, and makes good use of locations in Spain. During the mid-19th Century, somewhere in the American West, a hunting party composed of European aristocrats like Sir Charles Daggett (Jack Hawkins), Baron Frederick Von Hallstatt (Peter van Eyck), Countess Irina Lazaar (Brigitte Bardot) and Lady Julia Daggett (Honor Blackman) are led into Apache territory by their guide Bosky Fulton (Stephen Boyd). Threatened by Apache chief Chato (Woody Strode), the party's only hope of survival is in the form of Irish hunter Moses Zebulon Carlin known as 'Shalako' (Sean Connery), who goes in to save them, then find a passage to safety for the hunting party. This is the sort of cast you wouldn't expect seeing in a western, it even has Eric Sykes in it as the party's butler Mako. It does feel a bit dated in places, but it was interesting to see Connery do something different after he (briefly) left the Bond franchise, but it's worth a look.

Flawed, but eye-catching, western--Indians Engage in Snobfighting!!

"Shalako" is an exercise in precisely nothing. It is obvious Dymtryk wanted to say something, but what, is the question for the ages. Sean Connery is a competent actor but not even him (who brought "Highlander 2" into the enjoyably-bad category) can save this mess. Brigitte Bardot's acting skills are also in question.

I wanted to see this because the idea of Sean Connery and Brigitte Bardot in full 60s eye make up riding around on horses in the wild west seemed like a hilarious idea... turns out its just kind of sexist, flat and boring.

Well not bad movie. I enjoy it. Sean Connery in a western he is really not bad in it. It has gun fights with the Apache's. One thing I enjoy it though. If you haven't seen it..watch it you might like it.

Overlong & underwrought British western really for fans of Sean Connery that I really had a rough time sticking w/. even as a fan. Those Apache were damn ruthless especially when they were pouring sand into that chicks mouth who was pretending to be dead it really paints Indians in a bad color. Brigitte Bardot isn't really worth much except to look good. Her romantic relationship w/ Connery reallly added nothing except making this movie a half of an hour too long. It's watchable though for oater fans who are looking for something a bit different but bangers & mash westerns are nothing special. Give me the spaghetti anyday