Easily 1 of the best westerns/movies I've ever seen.Lee Marvin is his usual gruff self,and Burt Lancaster is offbeat,and funny.Jack Palance is also good.Would highly recommend this flick.

I really enjoyed this film because of all things typical of classic films. I thought I was going to see a B-film with bad acting and sleep-inducing plot.Was I surprised.I should know better because of the principal cast. The sets, writing, action, direction and just the right actors make a film worth watching again and again.The real delight (after seeing Claudia in any frame) was Burt Lancaster's portrayal of the devilish rogue Dolworth as he contrasted with Lee Marvin's reserved and disciplined character Fardan. Woody Strode wasn't buried in the background typical of roles for African American's during that time but should have had more dialogue. Robert Ryan's Ehrengard role was surprisingly minimal yet Jack Palance's Raza was extremely well played.The last good western I've seen was the remake of "True Grit" which didn't disappoint. This film does as good a job (if not better) of providing entertainment without going dreadfully overboard with any single element.

A great amount of talent on display in The Professionals and mostly very well used. It is a shame that Robert Ryan's role is so underwritten and he looked as lost as he did in a somewhat atypical role(this is the same Robert Ryan who made an unforgettable villain in Claggart in 1962's Billy Budd). For my liking too the film ends a little too tidily with some of the scripting a tad confused. But The Professionals is superbly made with sweeping photography that makes expansive use of the colourfully exotic locations and a lusciously evocative score from none other than Maurice Jarre, cannot get enough of the spine chilling opening sequence. The script crackles with wit and tension and is remarkably quotable(it was nominated for a Oscar and in my opinion was deserving of the nomination), the action is rousingly staged and the story, apart from a couple of plodding moments in the middle, is a vast majority of the time gripping. It was great also to see characters that were likable as well as flawed rather than resorting too much to one-dimensional stereotypes. The Professionals is expertly directed- some of the best direction of any Western not from John Ford, Sam Pekinpah or Sergio Leone names on them. And expertly acted as well, with Burt Lancaster on blisteringly funny form and Jack Palance as a slightly hammy but entertainingly menacing villain standing out, their scene on the rocks being an acting highlight. Lee Marvin gives a brooding performance without ever being one-note- every inch the figure of authority- and Claudia Cardinale looks gorgeous and involved. Ralph Bellamy is also excellent, his character's development is sketchy but he does somehow manage to make him interesting and compelling. All in all, a fine film that is sadly somewhat under-seen, the word professional for this near-classic is very apt. 8/10 Bethany Cox

During the Mexican Revolution, rancher Grant hires four men to rescue his wife Maria (Claudia Cardinale) from bandit Jesus Raza (Jack Palance). Raza is demanding an $100k ransom. Henry Fardan (Lee Marvin) is the leader, Bill Dolworth (Burt Lancaster) is the explosives expert, Hans Ehrengard (Robert Ryan) is the horse wrangler, and Jake Sharp (Woody Strode) is skilled with the bow and arrow. They find the bandits ruthlessly massacring captured government troops. The four men plan to take on the massive rebel force to take back Maria except things aren't what they seem.This is a well executed movie made by ... (well yes) professionals. Richard Brooks is an expert filmmaker. The leads are all veterans. The action is big and well done. There are plenty of explosions. The location is tough, dusty, and gritty. It is a very solid action movie.