IMDb RATING
6.0/10
1.5K
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The El Condor, the fabled Mexican stronghold rumoured to contain Emperor Maximilian's mythical reserves in gold, will attract two adventurous fortune seekers, who with eyes gleaming with des... Read allThe El Condor, the fabled Mexican stronghold rumoured to contain Emperor Maximilian's mythical reserves in gold, will attract two adventurous fortune seekers, who with eyes gleaming with desire, will shortly know that only fools rush in.The El Condor, the fabled Mexican stronghold rumoured to contain Emperor Maximilian's mythical reserves in gold, will attract two adventurous fortune seekers, who with eyes gleaming with desire, will shortly know that only fools rush in.
- Awards
- 1 win total
Marianna Hill
- Claudine
- (as Mariana Hill)
Elisha Cook Jr.
- Old Convict
- (as Elisha Cook)
Ángel del Pozo
- Lieutenant
- (as Angel Del Pozo)
Raúl Mendoza Castro
- Indian
- (as Raul Mendoza Castro)
Rafael Albaicín
- Officer
- (as Rafael Albaicin)
Featured reviews
This motion picture is in my opinion, undoubtedbly Jim Brown's best cinematic performance . The action and cinematography reminded me of The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (Lee Van Cleef probably had something to do w/ it) He also does an excellent job.
The plot is well-scripted, and the motion picture is paced well. I don't know the name of the lead actress in the picture--but man, she must've been working out or something because she is/ was pretty fine. All in all, a definite thumb up picture.
The plot is well-scripted, and the motion picture is paced well. I don't know the name of the lead actress in the picture--but man, she must've been working out or something because she is/ was pretty fine. All in all, a definite thumb up picture.
John Guillermin was a better than average director but even he can't save this movie from its clichés and predictable script. Of course, by 1970 the civil rights movement was well under way and the black lead had to make up in cleverness for what the white counterpart had in stupidity. So, Brown and van Cleef make a workable duo thanks to Brown's superior intelligence and strength, while Lee shoots and blows up anything that moves.
Acting is generally substandard. The stunning Marianna Hill, with a truly fantastic set of boobs, steals the show.
The script is explosive - not through its quality but through the constant explosions on the screen.
Photography is cheap color, unsteady at times.
Still, I carried on watching until the inevitable ending. Won't happen again.
Acting is generally substandard. The stunning Marianna Hill, with a truly fantastic set of boobs, steals the show.
The script is explosive - not through its quality but through the constant explosions on the screen.
Photography is cheap color, unsteady at times.
Still, I carried on watching until the inevitable ending. Won't happen again.
I enjoyed this film which I saw on television, but I did see it originally at the cinema long before IMDB or its directors were in existence.
Vintage Lee Van Cleef and Jim Browm acted out their parts well. I always like these type of Westerns, they never date, but then I grew up on them. The stories always have the same theme but, coupled to the acting and stunning western scenery, they always capture me. Having been fortunate enough to visit the scenery in the US in Arizona, New Mexico and California, the films give me added pleasure. Hope they go on remaking them so as to benefit from the new technology
Vintage Lee Van Cleef and Jim Browm acted out their parts well. I always like these type of Westerns, they never date, but then I grew up on them. The stories always have the same theme but, coupled to the acting and stunning western scenery, they always capture me. Having been fortunate enough to visit the scenery in the US in Arizona, New Mexico and California, the films give me added pleasure. Hope they go on remaking them so as to benefit from the new technology
Two men, a two-fisted Jim Brown as escaped prisoner and an humorous Lee Van Cleef as ambitious drifter, join forces to rob a lot of gold located into an impressive Mexican fortress (commanded by Patrick O'Neal) where is supposedly hidden the treasure. They're accompanied by an Indian tribe (led by Iron Eyes Cody, usual in Indian roles but he's Italian origin).
It packs shootouts, action western, tongue in cheek, thrills, violence and some of nudism in charge of a gorgeous Marianna Hill . This American-Spanish co-production paints an ironic, cynic portrayal of two rough bandits , following their exploits about an attack over an heavily armed fortress . The film results to be another action/adventure /humor Western that during the 60s and early 70s were ordinarily shot . Likable support cast by prestigious actors as Elisha Cook Jr and full of secondaries from Spaghetti Western as Dan Van Husen, Ricardo Palacios, Angel Del Pozo, Charly Bravo, Rafael Albaicin, among others . The film is well shot in Texas Hollywood-Fort Bravo, Almeria, Spain with a breathtaking production design by Julio Molina who made the great fortress , one of the best ever created and where were posteriorly filmed several Spaghetti as ¨ Blind man, Massacre at Fort Holman, A man called Noon¨ and ¨Conan the Barbarian¨. Nevertheless, today the fort has been partially crumbled and only remain some ruins . Atmospheric and lively musical score by the classic Maurice Jarre (Zivago, Lawrence of Arab ). Evocative and colorful cinematography by Henry Persin . The motion picture is lavishly produced by Andre De Toth ( who directed good Western) and professionally directed by John Guillermin, a super-productions expert ( King Kong, The towering inferno, Skyjacked) and warlike specialist(The bridge of Remagen, Blue Max) . Rating : Acceptable and passable. The picture will appeal to S.W. buffs and Lee Van Cleef fans.
It packs shootouts, action western, tongue in cheek, thrills, violence and some of nudism in charge of a gorgeous Marianna Hill . This American-Spanish co-production paints an ironic, cynic portrayal of two rough bandits , following their exploits about an attack over an heavily armed fortress . The film results to be another action/adventure /humor Western that during the 60s and early 70s were ordinarily shot . Likable support cast by prestigious actors as Elisha Cook Jr and full of secondaries from Spaghetti Western as Dan Van Husen, Ricardo Palacios, Angel Del Pozo, Charly Bravo, Rafael Albaicin, among others . The film is well shot in Texas Hollywood-Fort Bravo, Almeria, Spain with a breathtaking production design by Julio Molina who made the great fortress , one of the best ever created and where were posteriorly filmed several Spaghetti as ¨ Blind man, Massacre at Fort Holman, A man called Noon¨ and ¨Conan the Barbarian¨. Nevertheless, today the fort has been partially crumbled and only remain some ruins . Atmospheric and lively musical score by the classic Maurice Jarre (Zivago, Lawrence of Arab ). Evocative and colorful cinematography by Henry Persin . The motion picture is lavishly produced by Andre De Toth ( who directed good Western) and professionally directed by John Guillermin, a super-productions expert ( King Kong, The towering inferno, Skyjacked) and warlike specialist(The bridge of Remagen, Blue Max) . Rating : Acceptable and passable. The picture will appeal to S.W. buffs and Lee Van Cleef fans.
The plains of Spain was where this European western was shot with Americans
Jim Brown and Lee Van Cleef who team up to take a really impressive fortress
entitled El Condor. It's commanded by General Patrick O'Neal with all the
comforts of home including mistress Mariana Hill. The rest of the troops get
an occasional peak and then make their trips to the bordello for relief.
Brown is an escaped convict and Van Cleef is a rogue of a prospector who has an in with the local Apaches whose chief is Iron Eyes Cody. There's reputed to be a vast fortune in gold bullion in the fort, the Mexican version of Fort Knox. The French want it, the Juaristas want it, various bandits want it, but it's O'Neal who has it and guards it zealously.
It's almost comical the way our heroes and the Apaches take the place. O'Neal and his troops behave like the stupid Germans did in a ton of World War II era propaganda flicks. In fact it's one of those trips to the bordello for the troops that's the start of their undoing.
The best thing that El Condor has going for it is the easy chemistry between the leads. Both of them rarely did any comedy, Van Cleef was almost always a bad guy in the 50s and 60s. Other heavies from that era, Lee Marvin, Claude Akins, Jack Elam, Neville Brand to name a few started doing more roles spoofing themselves, Van Cleef rarely did. As for Jim Brown, the former Cleveland Browns running back could lay claim to being the first black action/adventure star in film.
El Condor is a nice action/adventure western that's laced with some humor for the two stars. And fans of one or both should see this film.
Brown is an escaped convict and Van Cleef is a rogue of a prospector who has an in with the local Apaches whose chief is Iron Eyes Cody. There's reputed to be a vast fortune in gold bullion in the fort, the Mexican version of Fort Knox. The French want it, the Juaristas want it, various bandits want it, but it's O'Neal who has it and guards it zealously.
It's almost comical the way our heroes and the Apaches take the place. O'Neal and his troops behave like the stupid Germans did in a ton of World War II era propaganda flicks. In fact it's one of those trips to the bordello for the troops that's the start of their undoing.
The best thing that El Condor has going for it is the easy chemistry between the leads. Both of them rarely did any comedy, Van Cleef was almost always a bad guy in the 50s and 60s. Other heavies from that era, Lee Marvin, Claude Akins, Jack Elam, Neville Brand to name a few started doing more roles spoofing themselves, Van Cleef rarely did. As for Jim Brown, the former Cleveland Browns running back could lay claim to being the first black action/adventure star in film.
El Condor is a nice action/adventure western that's laced with some humor for the two stars. And fans of one or both should see this film.
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Did you know
- TriviaThe huge fortress of El Condor, built in Spain for this movie, was subsequently featured in many other films, including A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die (1972) and Conan the Barbarian (1982).
- GoofsSince the Apaches were watching the fort, they would have seen what was happening and either attacked the patrol staking out Jim and Lee, or rescued them once it was done.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Indiana Jones: Making the Trilogy (2003)
- How long is El Condor?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- El condor
- Filming locations
- Desierto de Tabernas, Almería, Andalucía, Spain(Exterior scenes, Fort El Condor)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $4,500,000 (estimated)
- Runtime
- 1h 42m(102 min)
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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