Vera Cruz (1954)

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Writers:

Borden Chase (story)
Roland Kibbee (screenplay)

Release Date:

25 December 1954 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Western

Tagline:

The Giants Battle In The Biggest Spectacle Of Them All!

Plot:

During the Mexican Rebellion of 1866, an unsavory group of American adventurers are hired by the forces of Emporer Maximilian to escort a countess to Vera Cruz.

Plot Keywords:

Gold Shipment | Adventuress | Double Cross | Revolution | Mexico

Cast

Gary Cooper	...	Benjamin Trane
Burt Lancaster	...	Joe Erin
Denise Darcel	...	Countess Marie Duvarre
Cesar Romero	...	Marquis Henri de Labordere
Sara Montiel	...	Nina (as Sarita Montiel)
George Macready	...	Emperor Maximillian
Ernest Borgnine	...	Donnegan
Morris Ankrum	...	General Ramírez
Henry Brandon	...	Capt. Danette
Charles Bronson	...	Pittsburgh (as Charles Buchinsky)
Jack Lambert	...	Charlie
Jack Elam	...	Tex
James McCallion	...	Little-Bit
James Seay	...	Abilene
Archie Savage	...	Ballard

Runtime:

94 min | Argentina:95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish | French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

UK:A (original rating) | West Germany:12 (nf) | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:Approved (PCA #16980, Adult Audience) | West Germany:12 | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Chapultepec, México D.F., Mexico

Company:

Flora Productions

Trivia:

Charles Bronson and Ernest Borgnine decided to go for cigarettes during filming. This meant saddling up in costume, side arms and all, and riding to the nearest town. On the way, the pair was waylaid by a truck full of armed Federales who mistook them for bandits and held them at gunpoint.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Emperor Maximillian is checking out the Winchester, his chest sash has a large golden Mexican eagle which repeatedly disappears and reappears between shots.

Quotes:

Emperor Maximillian: You see, there's the Countess who'll occupy the coach. She's decided that she must see Paris again, and we... indulge her every whim. The Marquis's gravely concerned that she reach the ship in Vera Cruz safely.
Benjamin Trane: She will if the price is right.
Emperor Maximillian: I suppose when one deals with men of action, one just expect action. Does 25,000 in gold sound reasonable?
Benjamin Trane: A pretty figure but only half as pretty as the figure we're escorting to Vera Cruz.
Emperor Maximillian: I gather that double would increase your sense of responsibility.
Benjamin Trane: It would double it.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Cartouches gauloises (2007)

Soundtrack:

Vera Cruz

Cracking Nineteen Fifties Western

This western film is typical of the 50's era. It was well made in excellent outdoor locations. "Coop" gave his usual professional touch which we came to expect of him & "Lancaster" was superb That "smile" really made his character and gave the humour that was needed to make a balanced film. The cast including Borgnine & Bronson added real class to the production. I saw the film as a fifteen year old teenager when it was first released, queuing for 2 hours to obtain entry into my home city's main cinema. Even after 50 years I still watch it with the same excitement & interest. They do not make films like this anymore. Modern films have no answer to it