Melissa Ruger (Candice Bergen) is a school teacher married to Cattle Baron, Brandt Ruger (Gene Hackman). Ruger is incensed when his wife is abducted by outlaw Frank Calder (Oliver Reed) and his gang. He quickly arranges a posse of business associates and equips them with the latest long range hunting rifles with telescopic sights. He then sets off on Calder's trail, but it soon becomes apparent that he may have other motives than rescuing his wife.
Shot in Spain, this gritty western has a strong cast and an intriguing premise. Calder has kidnapped Melissa to teach him to read. Ruger, a brutal sadistic man, merely wants to demonstrate that no one touches his property. Melissa is drawn to Calder despite his outlaw persona. However director Don Medford fails to develop these story lines and opts to shock with brutal slow motion shootouts. The long range rifles allow Ruger to pick off Calder's men from a great distance.
Despite the films shortcoming it is very interesting to see Oliver Reed in a western and he acquits himself as well as he can with the material available. There is an solid soundtrack by Riz Ortolani and good make up effects by José Antonio Sánchez. The 70's produced many hybrid westerns and this is an example of one that ultimately fails to work. This is due to competing with Sam peckinpah in violent content whilst neglecting the storyline.
XoD.
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