The hammy performance of Ernest Borgnine, playing a wealthy Mexican land owner, would almost be offensive if it wasn't so unintentionally funny. He's the father of the young woman who died of cholera during childbirth, having the illegitimate baby of American confederate soldier George Hilton. He has deserted his post to find her, only to arrive too late, and to be handed his child by the irate father who obviously had lustful feelings for his own daughter.
At least Hilton was of Hispanic descent, but he's playing an American so his nationality makes no difference. Borgine is a kit as believable as a Mexican as Charlton Heston was in "A Touch of Evil", but at least Heston didn't call attention to his miscasting by overacting. Borgine bellows every line as if he thought he was Big Daddy of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", and he's closer to Big Show-Off, his performance ineffective and cheesy. If watched for the laughs at the film, it can be somewhat digestible, but after some really bad moments, those laughs nearly had me choking.
At least Hilton was of Hispanic descent, but he's playing an American so his nationality makes no difference. Borgine is a kit as believable as a Mexican as Charlton Heston was in "A Touch of Evil", but at least Heston didn't call attention to his miscasting by overacting. Borgine bellows every line as if he thought he was Big Daddy of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", and he's closer to Big Show-Off, his performance ineffective and cheesy. If watched for the laughs at the film, it can be somewhat digestible, but after some really bad moments, those laughs nearly had me choking.