Branded a coward for surrendering his New Mexico fort to the Confederates without firing a shot, a Union colonel attempts to redeem himself by leading a band of condemned prisoners on a suicide mission to recapture it.
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Title: A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die (1972)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| James Coburn | ... | Colonello Pembroke | |
| Telly Savalas | ... | Maggiore Ward | |
| Bud Spencer | ... | Eli Sampson | |
| Georges Géret | ... | Sergente Spike | |
| Reinhard Kolldehoff | ... | Sergente Brent (as Rene Kolldehoff) | |
 |
Guy Mairesse | ... | Donald MacIvers |
| José Suárez | ... | maggiore Charles Ballard (as Jose Suarez) | |
|
|
Ugo Fangareggi | ... | Fred |
|
|
Benito Stefanelli | ... | Samuel Pickett un ex condannato |
| Adolfo Lastretti | ... | Will Fernandez / Will Culder (as Guy Ranson) | |
|
|
Fabrizio Moresco | ... | Ward's Assistant |
|
|
Francisco Sanz | ... | Farmer (as Paco Sanz) |
|
|
Carla Mancini | ||
|
|
Joe Pollini | ... | Jeremy |
| Mario Pardo | ... | Roger, Farmer's Son | |
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
A dishonoured army officer saves the lives of some hardened criminals on condition that they help him regain his honour. Will they live up to his expectations? Written by Hector Farrugia <hector.farrugia@magnet.mt>
Taglines:
A handful of condemned men on an impossible mission, against hopeless odds...Genres:
WesternParents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
6 August 1973 (Spain) See more »Also Known As:
A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
(1973) (theatrical) | (Northern Countries PAL DVD) | (original uncut)Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The prison set from John Guillermin's " El Condor " was re-used during the filming. See more »Goofs
At the end of Telly Savalas' first scene he lights up a modern cigarette which clearly has a filter. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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Disgraced Union officer James Coburn saves himself and a few degenerates, including Bud Spencer, from hanging by suggesting a daring raid on the impregnable Fort Holman, currently being held by mad rebel General Telly Savalas. As the introductory crawl suggests, Coburn has greater motivations than that of simple patriotism.
Inspired by The Dirty Dozen with a bit of Where Eagles Dare and The Wild Bunch thrown in, this is an entertaining Italian western/Civil War movie that makes good use of the massive sets previously built for the film El Condor.
Generally worth recommending, Massacre At Fort Holman (also widely known as A Reason To Live, A Reason To Die, with Coburn dubbed by someone else and Bud Spencer apparently by character actor R.G. Armstrong!) sags some in the middle but things pick up and the final battle is fairly exciting.
There's a great performance by the always cool James Coburn, while that of the supposedly insane Telly Savalas is actually more subdued than usual. He was much more zesty in Pancho Villa and A Town Called Hell, though this is still a better movie.