This film is fascinating on several levels, particularly because after the setup is made, it switches gears yet completely works. It's established in the opening scene after Alan Ladd (as "the Dutchman") and Ernest Borgnine are granted a prison release after saving the life of a guard that they completely hate each other yet somehow end up working together inside a mine on a job where they are ripped off. They must work together to get what is rightfully theirs and a slow friendship grows.
Borgnine, initially sort of coarse, gets to show a big heart when he meets the equally big-hearted Katy Jurado whose past has made her give up any sort of hope so she falls in love with him immediately when she sees the sincerity of his feelings for her. In just their introduction scene alone, they explore the emotions of real love based on kindness, not lust, and Jurado's love ends up saving the day.
I wouldn't call this film the strongest as far as storyline is concerned, because it's mainly a series of adventures that take the two men from point A to point B, so it's more about how their relationship progresses from hatred to loyal undying friendship where they really risk a lot for each other. The location footage is outstanding with great photography and rousing music. It's also a very positive view of Mexican-Americans as they show complete loyalty when they see the goodness of the white man inside, fighting against the injustices of those trying to do their blood brothers wrong.
Borgnine, initially sort of coarse, gets to show a big heart when he meets the equally big-hearted Katy Jurado whose past has made her give up any sort of hope so she falls in love with him immediately when she sees the sincerity of his feelings for her. In just their introduction scene alone, they explore the emotions of real love based on kindness, not lust, and Jurado's love ends up saving the day.
I wouldn't call this film the strongest as far as storyline is concerned, because it's mainly a series of adventures that take the two men from point A to point B, so it's more about how their relationship progresses from hatred to loyal undying friendship where they really risk a lot for each other. The location footage is outstanding with great photography and rousing music. It's also a very positive view of Mexican-Americans as they show complete loyalty when they see the goodness of the white man inside, fighting against the injustices of those trying to do their blood brothers wrong.