The film opens with a narration by Victor Jory about an Apache legend: a hidden canyon, guarded by the Apache gods and rich with gold
As long as the Apaches kept the canyon a secret and never touched the gold, they would be strong and powerful
Marshal Mackenna (Gregory Peck) wasted three years chasing that wild goose He immediately knew the place and identified it as 'Shaking Rock' but insisted to the old Apache dying chief who was keeping the map that there is no gold around there: "The only dust I found was prairie dust!"
Before the chief dies, Mackenna destroys the map, confident it is a myth
When the ludicrous Mexican bandit Colorado (Omar Sharif) appears on the scene with his gang, and discovers the useless burned map, he took Mackennahis living mapto his hideout in a little box canyon and forced him to lead him to the legendary canyon
Colorado's gang includes Hesh-Ke (Julie Newmar), an attractively jealous Apache woman who was once involved with Mackenna, Hachita (Ted Cassidy), a strong and deadly Apache warrior, and a captive girl called Inga (Camilla Sparv), daughter of a murdered judge who put a price on Colorado's head
Along the way, the group is joined by 'good' citizens, dirty scheming ambitious men, a lot of bronco Apaches on the prowl, and the U.S. Cavalry after anybody and everybody Probably after the gold too
"Mackenna's Gold" remains a curious serial-like Western melodrama packed with stars and pretensions above its situation The script completely wastes the fine cast On a lower level, it is quite enjoyable Julie Newmar is a delight, a natural beauty and a distinct "presence" that immediately captivates the audience There are scenic location shots of the vastness of the desert, exciting action scenes, pretty spectacular scenes of danger but all hampered by frustrating special effects
Marshal Mackenna (Gregory Peck) wasted three years chasing that wild goose He immediately knew the place and identified it as 'Shaking Rock' but insisted to the old Apache dying chief who was keeping the map that there is no gold around there: "The only dust I found was prairie dust!"
Before the chief dies, Mackenna destroys the map, confident it is a myth
When the ludicrous Mexican bandit Colorado (Omar Sharif) appears on the scene with his gang, and discovers the useless burned map, he took Mackennahis living mapto his hideout in a little box canyon and forced him to lead him to the legendary canyon
Colorado's gang includes Hesh-Ke (Julie Newmar), an attractively jealous Apache woman who was once involved with Mackenna, Hachita (Ted Cassidy), a strong and deadly Apache warrior, and a captive girl called Inga (Camilla Sparv), daughter of a murdered judge who put a price on Colorado's head
Along the way, the group is joined by 'good' citizens, dirty scheming ambitious men, a lot of bronco Apaches on the prowl, and the U.S. Cavalry after anybody and everybody Probably after the gold too
"Mackenna's Gold" remains a curious serial-like Western melodrama packed with stars and pretensions above its situation The script completely wastes the fine cast On a lower level, it is quite enjoyable Julie Newmar is a delight, a natural beauty and a distinct "presence" that immediately captivates the audience There are scenic location shots of the vastness of the desert, exciting action scenes, pretty spectacular scenes of danger but all hampered by frustrating special effects