Compañeros (1970)
Corbucci’s second foray into Zapata westerns, and this time with a somewhat more comedic tone than in The Mercenary (which I need to watch again soon). It follows the familiar narrative with people out for just money getting caught up in revolutionary factions. Franco Nero and Tomas Milian takes turn getting captured, and only very reluctantly rescues the other at the absolute last moment. Tonally it is split between almost gaglike scenes as when Milian’s character starts shooting when someone wants to take his picture, and some rather sinister torture scenes. Add to the mix the serious theme of the Mexican revolution and the conflict between choosing violence as a means to an end and taking the pacifist route. There is quite a lot going on here and like many of these spaghetti western that comments on the Mexican revolution, Corbucci also has a pretty cynical look on revolutions. Though perhaps more optimistic in some aspects compared to Leone’s Duck, You Sucker.
What I like this for is its very high production value. This is clearly made at the peak of the genres popularity. Massive gunfights with tons of extras, horses and explosions. The almost modern setting gives a different flavor than most westerns, as it even has a car chase scene. However, it doesn’t quite reach the highs for me, as I think it lacks the gritty atmosphere of the 60s spaghetti westerns, and neither Franco Nero or Tomas Milian are bringing their best. They lack the screen presence they had in previous movies.
Rating: 3.5