I got to watch this film purely by accident, and if not for a coincidence of circumstances, I probably would never have encountered it at all. However, it is worth admitting that almost two hours of film wasted time, the language does not turn.
However, for a masterpiece of the film industry or for a less serious film,
"Barbarians and Thieves" also does not claim.
We have another template western, with bad guys, a corrupt sheriff and of course cowboys. But more on that below.
The plot of the film takes place somewhere in a lost corner of America, after the Civil War. Two ex-soldiers decide to change their lives and make the American dream a reality. To do "business", and, more simply, become bandits from the big road.
The main events unfold in a remote town, where in a local pub after the first acquaintance with the inhabitants, the sheriff and his dorky assistant, adventurers learn about a certain Chinese. Who lives alone on his ranch not far from the city.
According to rumors, the Asian managed to rob the bank, and now he is the lucky owner of gold worth $ 12,000. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and they don’t intend to miss it!
On this ranch and unfold all the main events of the film. The case portends to be trivial, but as it turns out, gold is not needed by them alone.
In a tight tangle are intertwined our heroes businessmen, cunning family of Chinese who do not intend to give anything, bank collectors, federal marshal and even representatives of local law and order do not stand aside having their own interest.
Overall, the film leaves a double impression.
On the one hand, the film looks easy and not forced. There are no long scenes, meaningless monologues. In general, not a bad selection of actors, especially Richard Doyle playing Bill. Charismatic adventurer, and that ray of light that gives the picture a single small bit of charm. Too little playing time was allocated by the director for such a colorful character, and the master performing this role.
Direction is frankly weak, and this is precisely the reason why the film received such ambiguous and often negative criticism in the West and in Europe.
Megan Peterson and John Sinclair for a couple, not that they could not show the characters of the main characters, clearly put the scenes and reveal the potential of the actors. On the contrary, they interfered with each other and brought confusion to the production process.
The lead actors Andrew Simpson and Gwendolyn Yoe, played weakly to say the least, none of them lacking stars from the sky, but clearly below their capabilities.
A slurred Asian whore and especially a moral killer leave an unpleasant impression after watching.
This is a one-time movie for fans of the Wild West. For those who missed horses, prairies, Mexicans and the roar of colts!
In general, this is another American Western that claims nothing but a place in its niche.
4 out of 10