"Villa Rides" is the tale of the legendary Pancho Villa, key player in the Mexican Revolution who was a bandit, to be sure, but also undeniably a true leader deeply committed to his cause. However, the tale mostly focuses on Lee Arnold (Robert Mitchum), the American pilot who is captured by Villa's forces and eventually, reluctantly becomes caught up in their mission. Yul Brynner, sporting a full head of hair for once, is thought by some to be miscast as Villa, but in any event this reviewer does feel that his screen presence is still powerful. Mitchum, admittedly, isn't at his best and in fact looks rather disinterested throughout this thing, which is not good considering how much screen time is given to his character. Herbert Lom does well in the key role of a dubious Mexican general, and Maria Grazia Buccella is appealing and lovely in the underwritten role of Lee's love interest. The performer here who truly stands out is Charles Bronson, sporting his familiar moustache for the first time here, as Villa's associate Fierro, and the actor does capture this person's essential ruthlessness, although in real life Fierro was supposed to be an even more bloodthirsty individual. Also appearing are Bronson's wife Jill Ireland, in the first of the films that they did together, although she doesn't show up until near the end, as well as Robert Viharo, Frank Wolff, Alexander Knox, Fernando Rey, and John Ireland in a brief, uncredited bit. The screenplay is courtesy of Robert Towne and Sam Peckinpah, but it never really gives us much insight into Villa. There are some great moments of well staged action, but overall the pacing is a little sluggish. TV veteran Buzz Kuliks' direction is basically competent, although one has to wonder what might have been had Peckinpah been allowed to direct his own original screenplay, which wouldn't have romanticized Villa quite so much. Undeniably effective is the photography of some beautiful scenery and Maurice Jarres' eclectic score. This film does have its moments, such as Lee lobbing bombs as he flies his plane, but it could and should have been more interesting. As it is, it's decent entertainment but it doesn't ever quite take off. Six out of 10.
Review of Villa Rides
