A wanderer in the desert, Hogan (Clint Eastwood) is on his way to meet Mexican rebels when he stumbles across Sister Sara (Shirley MacLaine), a nun being attacked by three drunken bandits. The two end up going the same way across the unsafe desert. Soon, they realize their common interest. Hogan has been promised gold if he reaches the Spanish guerrilla headquarters in Santa Maria and help them in their fight against the French calvary. Sister Sara, riding on her mule in her sister’s habit, claims to be helping the guerrillas for idealistic reasons, and that she is wanted by the French for aiding the guerrilla cause.
Hogan kills a rattlesnake and saves Sara from being captured by bandits. Sara shares minute details about the French garrison, explaining she used to give the soldiers Spanish lessons there and knows every square inch of it.
When they meet the guerrilla leader, Col. Beltran (Manolo Fabregas), they stock up on dynamite and plan for the attack on the French fort on their Independence Day. In the meantime, they go to meet a train with a shipment of arms for the French, but Hogan is injured by an arrow when the Yaqui Indians attack. After what feels like an eternity to get the arrow out, Sara must climb the trestle to plant the dynamite that they will use to blow up the train.
The climax is an advertisement for mindless violence as Hogan and the guerrillas infiltrate the fort with a Mexican Trojan Horse and dynamite the place to gain entry. Once inside, they kill everyone in sight by machete, fire or gun. Predictably, Sara isn’t who she claims to be. It comes as no surprise when Hogan plunges into her bubble bath with his hat on.
Predictable through and through, Shirley MacLaine stands out in what is essentially a comic role. While Don Siegel shows his usual knack for action sequences, the pacing drags more than once. MacLaine can be counted on to get things back on track with a cynical quip or two. The chemistry between her and Eastwood is obvious, helping to drive what might have otherwise been a paint-by numbers western.
Kino’s brand new HDR/Dolby Vision master from a 4K Scan of the 35mm original camera negative highlights the beauty of the Mexico filming locations and the cinematography of Bruce Surtees. Like the 4K transfer of Play Misty for Me, this represents an upgrade from the 2020 Blu-ray. A nice level of grain gives the proceedings a filmic appearance. Details are strong throughout and the contrast is pleasing. Blacks are inky, and colors are brighter throughout. The film is free of scratches and other anomalies. The film is framed in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. NOTE: Kino has transferred the international version of the film on the 4K disc, and the domestic cut on the included Blu-ray. The international cut contains around nine extra minutes.
While the lossless 2.0 audio has obvious limitations, the 5.1 Surround audio offers some excellent western effects—echoey gunfire and explosions. Yet another excellent score by Ennio Marcone is nicely separated from dialogue and comes across clearly. Dialogue is clear and concise throughout. Crackles, pops and other anomalies aren’t an issue.
English SDH subtitles are included.
The following extras are included on the 4K disc:
- NEW! Audio Commentary for by Author and Film Historian Justin Humphreys
- Audio Commentary by Filmmaker Alex Cox, Author of 10,000 Ways to Die: A Director’s Take on the Italian Western
- At Home with Clint: Vintage Candid Interview with Clint Eastwood
- Poster and Image Gallery
The following extras are included on the Blu-ray disc:
- Radio Spots
- TV Spots
- Theatrical Trailer
- 10 More Clint Eastwood Trailers
