Savage Pampas (1966)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Hugo Fregonese

Writers:

Homero Manzi (novel) and
Ulises Petit de Murat (novel) ...

Release Date:

July 1967 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Western

Plot:

In the late 1800's, an army captain tries to tame the open plains of Argentina which are dominated by Indians and bandits. To help do this, the captain brings in a party of women to keep his soldiers happy. |

Plot Keywords:

Staked Out | Remake | Tragicomedy | Based On Novel | Independent Film

Cast

Robert Taylor	...	Captain Martín
Ron Randell	...	Padrón
Marc Lawrence	...	Sargent Barril
Ty Hardin	...	Miguel Carreras
Rosenda Monteros	...	Rucu
Ángel del Pozo	...	Lt. Del Río (as Del Pozo)
Felicia Roc	...	Camila Ometio
Charles Fawcett	...	El Gato, Private
Enrique Ávila	...	Petizo (as Henry Avila)
José Jaspe	...	Luis, Private
Julio Peña	...	Chicha, Private
Laya Raki	...	Mimí
Laura Granados	...	Carmen
Ingrid Ohlenschläger	...	The Old Woman
José Nieto	...	Gen. Chávez

Also Known As:

Pampa salvaje (Argentina) (Spain)

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

Spain | Argentina | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track

Certification:

West Germany:18 (nf) | Spain:18

Filming Locations:

La Pampa, Argentina

Company:

Bronston International S.A.

Movie Connections:

Remake of Pampa bárbara (1945)

Savage Production Values

Western fans may or may not find enjoyment in this dusty, violent mini-epic. Fans of Spaghetti Westerns will likely enjoy it more. The film, which primarily involves the transportation of hookers across Argentinian terrain beset by Indians and rebellious deserters, has a lot going for it and a lot against it. Taylor, in one of his last roles, plays an Army Captain whose chief duty is to defend a fort and keep his men from running off and joining the opposing forces led by renegade Randell. Taylor, an actor who methodically and deliberately did everything he could to ruin his pretty-boy looks, appears wax-like and worn in most of his scenes. His growly voice comes across pretty effectively, but he is almost unbearably stoic through most of the film. However, he is put through some grueling physical torment (when his stunt double isn't doing it) that's somewhat remarkable for someone his age. He also gets off a few decent sarcastic lines, but is hard-pressed to overcome his Abraham Sofaer look and costuming. (At times his hat cord blends in with his goatee making him look like he has a long braided beard! He also has a series of unflattering head scarves which are probably authentic, but don't lend themselves to cinematic authority. Most of the cast wear diaper-like rugs between their legs....another authentic aspect which cuts down on the expectations one may have for a western style film. Some will see this as appealingly different, others may scoff at it.) Randell gets to ham it up a bit in the style that was made famous by Eli Wallach and other stronger actors (with better written parts.) Hardin (bizarrely dressed like a sexy Abe Lincoln) comes along late in the game as an anarchist who is being remanded to Army duty. He has a couple of interesting moments (and a great final scene!), but is mostly wasted. WHY wasn't he in the river with the hookers when they were bathing?? The hookers are a motley group of international actresses. It's hard to drum up much interest in most of them as their characters are only scratched upon. One thing setting apart the interest level in anyone who isn't a name brand star is the atrocious dubbing of the film. This is why those accustomed to Spaghetti Westerns may give the movie higher marks than other viewers. One male actor has a creepy, whispering sound to all of his lines. The ladies mostly have shrill, loud or gravelly voices assigned to them. Any sort of bit part sounds like it was recorded off the street. What's good about the film is it's unusual setting and it's desert scenery. Also, there are certain story elements which come across as unique or at least not overdone. (The Indians use these nasty little ball & rope weapons which are intriguing to see.) A couple of confrontations and action scenes are memorable, even if on an amusing level. (Look out for that head!) What's bad about the film is the aforementioned dubbing, the disjointed nature of the script which makes it hard at first to understand the story, and the choppy editing, unfocused direction and amateurish acting by some of the supporting players. Western diehards should find something to like, but most mainstream filmgoers will find it rough to get through.