The Comancheros (1961)

Texas Ranger Jake Cutter arrests gambler Paul Regret, but soon finds himself teamed with his prisoner in an undercover effort to defeat a band of renegade arms merchants and thieves known as Comancheros.

Directors:

Michael Curtiz, John Wayne (uncredited)

Writers:

James Edward Grant (screenplay), Clair Huffaker (screenplay)

Stars:

John Wayne, Stuart Whitman, Ina Balin

2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Wayne	...	Capt. Jake Cutter
Stuart Whitman	...	Paul Regret
Ina Balin	...	Pilar Graile
Nehemiah Persoff	...	Graile
Lee Marvin	...	Tully Crow
Michael Ansara	...	Amelung
Patrick Wayne	...	Tobe (as Pat Wayne)
Bruce Cabot	...	Maj. Henry
Joan O'Brien	...	Melinda Marshall
Jack Elam	...	Horseface (Comanchero)
Edgar Buchanan	...	Circuit Court Judge Thaddeus Jackson Breen
Henry Daniell	...	Gireaux
Richard Devon	...	Esteban

Storyline

Texas Ranger Jake Cutter arrests gambler Paul Regret, but soon finds himself teamed with his prisoner in an undercover effort to defeat a band of renegade arms merchants and thieves known as Comancheros.

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Plot Keywords:

comanchero | western town | comanche indian | native american | undercover | 

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Taglines:

Big Jake the Adventurer... Paul Regret the Gambler... Pilar the Gypsy beauty... Three With a Past... Destined to Cross and Clash... In a Kingdom of Killers!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 November 1961 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

The Comancheros

Filming Locations:

Castle Valley, Moab, Utah, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (35 mm mag-optical prints) (Westrex Recording System) Mono (35 mm optical prints)

Color:

Color (Color by Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paul Wellman wrote the novel with Cary Grant in mind as Paul Regret. However, by the time the film was made, Grant was too old for the part, and would never have taken second billing to John Wayne.

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Goofs

As Jake and Regret are delivering their wagon-load of guns, they see see Indians on the hilltops. Jake removes a staff with feathers from his side of the wagon, and hands it to Regret, saying 'We'll see if this passport works.' The next two quick camera cuts show the staff first back on the wagon, then again in Regret's hands.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Gireaux: Since there is no reconciliation, we proceed. You will please stand with your backs to one another.
Emil Bouvier - Duelist: It may amuse you to know, monsieur, I never believed you cheated at cards.
Paul Regret: Well, maybe I don't have your sense of humor.
Emil Bouvier - Duelist: There's a lady who prefers your attentions to mine. I intend to... simplify her choice.
Paul Regret: Rachel?
[Emil snickers]
Paul Regret: Margo? No.
Gireaux: When I begin to count, you will each take 10 paces. You will turn and fire on the count of 10. If either man stops or turns before the count of...
[...]

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Alternate Versions

When originally released theatrically in the UK, the BBFC made cuts to secure an 'A' rating. When released on home video in 1988, the BBFC made cuts of 11 seconds to remove shots of horse-falls to secure a 'PG' rating. For the DVD release, the BBFC made cuts of 8 seconds in 2003 to remove similar shots of horse-falls resulting in a 'PG' rating. To date (December 2014), the film has not been released fully uncut on UK media.

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood Remembers Lee Marvin (2000)

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Soundtracks

Frère Jacques
(uncredited)
Traditional
Performed by Stuart Whitman and Aissa Wayne

User Reviews

Overlooked great performance in a bit part

I Recently got The Comancheros on DVD and watched it last night. I believe that is the first time that I have seen this film completely. I must admit to having a preference for John Wayne's earlier films from Stagecoach into the late 40's. This was the period when the studios were stills casting John Wayne in assorted roles with greater for lesser degree of success(who could forget him as the Mongolian emperor?) So only recently, I have been rediscovering his great performances in his middle period. But this is about another actor in this film. I just read all the other user comments listed about this film. Several correctly praised the small part played by Lee Marvin. He is always reliable for standout performances. But not any of the comments mentioned the truly standout performance by unknown "Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams" in the part of Ed McBain, the gunrunner. It was a small role but to my thinking probably the best acting in this or many other movies. Well, that's my two cents. "Nuff sed"