100 Rifles (1969)

In 19th century Mexico a native revolutionary,Yaqui Joe,robs a bank to buy arms for his oppressed people but he finds himself wanted by American lawmen and the Mexican Army.

Director:

Tom Gries

Writers:

Clair Huffaker (screenplay), Tom Gries (screenplay)

Stars:

Jim Brown, Raquel Welch, Burt Reynolds

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jim Brown	...	Lyedecker
Raquel Welch	...	Sarita
Burt Reynolds	...	Yaqui Joe Herrera
Fernando Lamas	...	Gen. Verdugo
Dan O'Herlihy	...	Steven Grimes
Eric Braeden	...	Lt. Franz Von Klemme (as Hans Gudegast)
Michael Forest	...	Humara
Aldo Sambrell	...	Sgt. Paletes
Soledad Miranda	...	Girl in Hotel
Alberto Dalbés	...	Padre Francisco (as Alberto Dalbes)
Charly Bravo	...	Lopez (as Carlos Bravo)
José Manuel Martín	...	Sarita's Father (as Jose Manuel Martin)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Akim Tamiroff	...	Gen. Romero (scenes deleted)

Storyline

Reynolds plays Yaqui Joe, an Indian who robs a bank in order to buy guns for his people who are being savagely repressed by the government. Set in turn of the century Mexico, it tells the story of his flight into Mexico and his pursuit by an American lawman. They eventually become allies and team up with Welch to take up the cause of the Indians.

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Plot Keywords:

kicked in the groin | african american hero | shot with an arrow | train wreck | flat car | 

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Taglines:

All they need is . . . 100 RIFLES

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Genres:

Adventure | War | Western

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 March 1969 (USA)

Also Known As:

One Hundred Rifles

Filming Locations:

Villamanta, Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$3,920,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marvin Schwartz Productions, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (DeLuxe) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Burt Reynolds and Raquel Welch fell out whilst making this movie, three years later they both starred in "Fuzz". However Welch only agreed to do the picture after it was agreed that she would not have to appear in any scenes with Reynolds. They would remain enemies until 1982 when the producers of "Cannery Row" fired Welch claiming she was unprofessional, and replaced her with Debra Winger. Reynolds testified on her behalf stating "Although Raquel and I don't like each other, she was always on time well-prepared and thoroughly professional" she ended up winning $10.8 million.

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Goofs

In the confusion after the rebels storm the compound and save them from execution, Sarita waves her rifle toward the main gate and shouts at Lydecker and Yaqui Joe, "vamoose!". There is no word vamoose in Spanish. The word is "vamonos" meaning "let's go".

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Quotes

Yaqui Joe Herrera: How come they done give you a badge in the first place?
Lyedecker: Well I guess I took a job nobody wanted. And even at that it took me a whole year to get it.

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Connections

Featured in Sex at 24 Frames Per Second (2003)

User Reviews

Spaghetti or Chop Suey?

The action film is a pretty obvious genre. It's purpose is to distract, entertain, and many money. Yes, there's quite a market for this material, probably supported by a similar audience that keep gothic paperbacks moving in the marketplace year after year.

"100 Rifles" is a substandard action western that offers a time capsule back to the late 60s early 70s. Generally unpleasant in its excessive depiction of killing and bloodletting, the film does utilize the star talents of three interesting actors.

The lead role gave Jim Brown an opportunity to strut his macho stuff, riding horses, shooting bad guys, and fist fighting his male costar on occasion. It also provided a couple of intended heated love scenes with his leading lady. Unfortunately, Brown comes across as wooden and even disinterested here. Too, his vocal instrument is much too high pitched and unsonorous to match his impressive physicality.

Burt Reynolds comes off better, making the most of his high cheekbones and sunken eyes--lending credibility to character ethnicity. He, like Brown, is in fine physical shape, and even elects to do some fancy stuntwork himself, like jumping off a moving train.

Still, it's Rachel Welch that emerges victorious here. Here's an actress that takes on a routine part in a routine script and plays it for all its worth. Also in great shape, Welch knows that if she's got it, she might as well flaunt it. She does, and we are the appreciative recipients.

The film also shows how much energy it takes to do this kind of production. Not a great deal of brainwork required, but a barrelful of brawnwork.