Bandidas (2006)

In turn-of-the-century Mexico, two very different women become a bank-robbing duo in an effort to combat a ruthless enforcer terrorizing their town.

Directors:

Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg

Writers:

Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen

Stars:

Penélope Cruz, Salma Hayek, Steve Zahn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Penélope Cruz	...	Maria Alvarez
Salma Hayek	...	Sara Sandoval
Steve Zahn	...	Quentin
Dwight Yoakam	...	Tyler Jackson
Denis Arndt	...	Ashe
Audra Blaser	...	Clarissa Ashe
Sam Shepard	...	Bill Buck
Ismael 'East' Carlo	...	Don Diego
Gary Carlos Cervantes	...	Pedro (as Carlos Cervantes)
José María Negri	...	Padre Pablo
Lenny Zundel	...	Bernardo
Edgar Vivar	...	Expl. Bank Manager
Ernesto Gómez Cruz	...	Brujo
Filiberto Estrella	...	Midget
Yomo Tlazotlalli	...	Gordo (as Yomo Tlazotlally)

Storyline

In 1848, a New York bank wants to put a railroad across Mexico, so it buys up small banks around Santa Rita, Durango, and evicts farmers on the proposed rail line who owe money. The bank's henchman is the murderous Jackson. He runs afoul of two women, María, the tough but uneducated daughter of a farmer, and Sara, the European-educated daughter of the owner of one of these banks. To feed the now landless people and to seek revenge, María and Sara become bank robbers, veritable Robin Hoods. But Jackson and his hired guns are after them. What are the women's options?

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Plot Keywords:

seduction | female robber | female bank robber | bank robbery | female gunfighter | 

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Taglines:

No man can come between them! (DVD)

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexuality, nudity and violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the film the character played by Penelope Cruz is the daughter of a Mexican farmer. In reality Cruz is from Spain. Selma Hayek's character in turn plays the daughter of a Don who has just returned from Spain. Hayek herself was born in Mexico.

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Goofs

Mexican military persons salute much the same way Sarah and Maria do near the end of the movie - right hand palm down, fingers extended either to the brim of headgear or just above the eyebrow. But Mexican civilians properly salute with the hand palm down, fingers extended, elbow bent so that the thumb touches at the base of the sternum.

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Quotes

Sara Sandoval: Excuse my partner. She's a bit impetuous.

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Soundtracks

On The Beautiful Blue Danube
by Johann Strauss (as J. Strauss)
Arr. R.A.F. Music Library
K Musik / KPM Music

User Reviews

Two beautiful Mexican women conquer the Old West

Two insanely beautiful Mexican women decide to exact revenge on some pistoleros, hired guns for a U.S. banking concern, who shot each of their respective dads. One is a spoiled rich girl, the other a poor girl, and these two unlikely allies unite forces. They meet some guy who trains them how to shoot, and the fearsome Bandidas are born, free to plunder the Mexican desert in sexy outfits and chase the bad guys. They set out to even the score by robbing banks.

Does the premise make sense? Of course not. It's just a convenient set up of odd circumstances so Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz can do a Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid send up, except with high heels and thick Spanish accents. They trade barbs pretty humorously, and make a good screen comedy team. The action is fun, and of course, way over the top. The expert of the new science of forensics (this is set about a century ago) is the luckiest guy in the old west; he gets to kiss both of them.

Campy slapstick fun. The whole cast has a good time, and makes the satirical and playful mood amusing. Good brainless popcorn entertainment.

Details

Official Sites:

Europe Corp. [France] Official site [Germany]

Country:

France Mexico USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

18 January 2006 (France)

Also Known As:

Bandidas

Filming Locations:

Sierra de Organos, Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

EUR32,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$18,381,890

Company Credits

Production Co:

EuropaCorp, TF1 Films Production, A.J.O.Z. Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

DTS-ES Dolby Digital EX

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1