Weeping for a Bandit (1964)

Absolutely brilliant

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The acting in this movie is really good.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

This motion picture is a Spanish/Italian Co-production well realized by Carlos Saura . It packs gorgeous landscapes , charming cinematography , imaginative soundtrack and luxurious costumes ; all meld together under Carlos Saura's enjoyable direction . It is set during the 19th century , Sierra Morena , Zahara De La Sierra , Ronda , Andalucia where had been proliferating ruthless bandits , who alone or in bands , engulfing the region with merciless assaults and ominous murders . For ironies of history , many bandits were good benefactors of the humble and unfortunate people , giving rise to the glamorous as well as romantic legends of the generous Andalucian Bandidos .In fact, almost all of them were selfish and ambitious men , who could not be expected no sense humanitarian . These Bandoleros seem to have a whole praise by singing "Coplas of blind" sung in couplets and romances of blind singers which dedicated to bandits as "Lucero" , ¨Luis Candelas¨ , or ¨Cura Merino¨ . As "El Tempranillo", whose name runs throughout the mountains and villages , being relentlessly frightened and hated by townsfolk . As El Tempranillo and his gang were cruel and savage outlaws that infested the area from Sierra Morena and surroundings . It begins with José María "El Tempranillo" (Francisco Rabal) fleeing from justice , takes refuge in Sierra Morena , Andalucia and joins forces with a band (Manuel Zarzo , Fernando Sanchez Polack , Philippe Leroy) . After a period of hard learning , José Maria uses all kind of shrewdness in order to infiltrate himself and to lead the bunch . Shortly after , there takes place his deadly confrontation to ruthless leader El Lutos (Lino Ventura) and he becomes the chief of the group of bandits . But his wife María Jerónima(Lea Massari) is detained and he then seeks vendetta . As soon as José Maria turns into band leader , the gang carries out attacks , kidnappings , blackmails and killings , including spectacular battles against Fernando VII troops . Based on real story of a known ¨Bandolero¨ , El Tempranillo , a rebel and liberal outlaw who operated in Sierra Morena . King Fernando VII attempted to defeat these bandits or Bandoleros by large garrisons called ¨Migueletes¨ . Tempranillo formed a numerous band , about 50 men , as "El Lero", "El Venitas", "El De La Torre" o "El Veneno". Many of them were heroes in Guerra De La Independencia against the French . His most famous assault was in Écija, when attacked a stagecoach and took a big amount of money from Treasury . In 1832, Fernando VII conceded a pardon for all the bandits who not return to banditry . "El Tempranillo" told his underlings to follow him and to leave banditry , and if they go on the assaults , ¨Tempranillo¨ himself will carry them to gallows . "El Lero", "El Venitas" y "La Torre" accepted the proposition ; but "El Veneno" renounced , and he was pursued and condemned . Later on , Tempranillo had an ambush and was double-crossed by an old partner "el Barberillo" who shot to him , dying at 28 years old . This ¨Tortilla¨ adventure "Weeping for a Bandit" is filled with thrills , intrigue , chases and breathtaking confrontations with precious rousing original music by Carlo Rustichelli and luminous cinematography by Juan Julio Baena . This traditional ¨Bandido¨ movie made in Andaluzi-Western style contains nice action , pursuits , attacks and exuberant outdoors . Decent screenplay dealing with ambition , revenge and redemption that turn out to be the main axis of the plot . Although the story has been told before , appropriate filmmaking and over-the-top acting win out , as it results in a very fine adventure flick . It is a combination of intense drama and full of villainy , betrayal , romance , heroism and redemption . Fine acting by Francisco Rabal as a bandit who joins a dangerous band to rob and destroy enemy troops . Director Saura took advantage of the marvelous exteriors from filming locations such as : Aranjuez, Colmenar De Oreja , Madrid , Puerto de la Morcuera, Rascafría, Madrid ; Cazorla, La Iruela, Jaén ; El Higueral, Priego De Córdoba, Iznájar , Lucena , Córdoba ; Seseña, Toledo , and shooting a hastily assembled attractive picture . In the movie appears usual support actors of the fifties and sixties , such as: José Manuel Martín , Antonio Prieto , Silvia Solar , Venancio Muro , Ángel Álvarez , Agustín González , Fernando Sánchez Polack , Gabriele Tinti and filmmaker Luis Buñuel and writer Antonio Buero Vallejo, among others This is a good-natured colorful romp with glamorous cinematography shot in natural scenarios , who gives us an accurate ambiance of the times is developed , though a perfect remastering being necessary because of the copy is slightly washed-out . In addition , an evocative musical score , including Andalucian popular Coplas and traditional songs . ¨ Weeping for a bandit¨ turns to be a good and attractive film . In my opinion this is one of the best films to come out of Carlos Saura in the decade of the 60s . Rating : Above average for its worthwhile mingle of drama , action and adventure .