The Professionals

1966

The Professionals

Critics Consensus

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88%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 16

82%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 3,951
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Movie Info

Grant (Ralph Bellamy) is a wealthy rancher who hires four mercenaries to retrieve his wife, Maria (Claudia Cardinale), from the clutches of the desperado Raza (Jack Palance) in this Western adventure set in 1917. Dolworth (Burt Lancaster) is a munitions expert who joins gunslinger Fardan (Lee Marvin), horse trainer Hans Ehrengard (Robert Ryan), and longbow master Jake (Woody Strode) when the men are offered 10,000 dollars apiece for the safe return of Grant's kidnapped wife. The cadre travels 100 miles into Mexico to retrieve the woman, whom they later discover wants to remain with Raza, but they decide to nab Maria anyway to make good on the money. Soon Fardan, Hans, and Jake are chased across the border by the enraged Raza and his equally deadly female accomplice Chiquita (Marie Gomez), while Dolworth stays behind to fight off Raza's Mexican banditos. The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Direction (Richard Brooks), Best Screenplay (Brooks again), and Best Cinematography (Conrad L. Hall). ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

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Cast

Burt Lancaster
as Bill Dolworth
Lee Marvin
as Henry "Rico" Fardan
Robert Ryan
as Hans Ehrengard
Claudia Cardinale
as Mrs. Maria Grant
Jack Palance
as Capt. Jesus Raza
Ralph Bellamy
as J.W. Grant
Woody Strode
as Jacob Sharp
Joe De Santis
as Ortega
Rafael Bertrand
as Fierro
Jorge Martinez De Hoyos
as Padilla
Marie Gomez
as Chiquita
Jose Chavez
as Revolutionary
Carlos Romero
as Revolutionary
Vaughan Taylor
as Banker
David Cadiente
Roberto Contreras
as Bandit
Don Carlos
as Bandit
Elizabeth Campbell
as Mexican Girl
John Lopez
as Mexican Servant
Darwin Lamb
as Hooper
Dirk Evans
as Man at Door
Foster Hood
John McKee
as Sheriff
Edward Little Sky
as The Prisoner
Eddie Little Sky
as The Prisoner
John R. McKee
as Sheriff
Leigh Chapman
as Lady
Phil Parslow
as Deputy Sheriff
Henry O'Brien
Jorge Marchegiant
as Eduardo Padilla
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Critic Reviews for The Professionals

All Critics (16) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (2)

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Audience Reviews for The Professionals

  • Mar 15, 2015
    The set-up of rough guys getting hired to free a kidnapped woman seems somewhat generic for Western films of that era, but the movie takes a few unexpected turns on the way. The action is plenty and filmed decently enough, the landscapes are absolutely gorgeous. Of course it still feels a bit dated but overall it's still a pleasant and entertaining experience from a time long gone.
    Jens S Super Reviewer
  • Feb 12, 2014
    A fabulous western. Each character in the posse brings their own unique element and interpretation of the character to make it a truly memorable group. Kudos to the great eye shown by Richard Brooks behind the camera.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Jul 31, 2012
    Richard Brooks' western has more in common with a modern piece of revisionism than the genre films of it's time. Unfortunately it lacks the existential depth of Peckinpah but also the humor and characters of Hawks. It's still an enjoyable if forgettable flick and is most notable for Conrad Hall's stunning cinematography. Practically everyone involved in this would go on to better things in the genre or had already passed their prime.
    The Movie W Super Reviewer
  • Jul 09, 2011
    This is the sort of action/adventure story they don't make anymore, one with character and charm. It also works as a fine western, with a star studded cast for 60s cinema. Very relevant themes of today are found, such as dealing with those who attach meaning to war, and the ambiguous nature of conflict in general.
    Jeffrey M Super Reviewer
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