Claudia Cardinale in "The Professionals"

Another classic Movie discovery. "The Professionals," a western that has it all, brings back memories of some of those great spaghetti westerns of the late 60's. Guess I need to do my homework, "The Professionals" may have been one of the great spaghetti westerns of the late 60's and may have laid the groundwork for the classic movie "The Wild Bunch."

An all-star cast with Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, Woody Strode, Jack Palance and the beautiful Italian actress Claudia Cardinale. Claudia Cardinale, had she mastered the english language better, would have become as big a star as Sophia Loren in english films. But then we wouldn't have her seductive accent imprinted on our babe-memory-bank now would we? She is still actively performing in Italian films.

This movie, made in 1966, had two things that endure long after watching it; the breathtaking panoramic views of the southwest countryside with horses stomping up clouds of dust, and The Girl (Claudia Cardinale), who is stunning and gives a powerful performance. You'll feel the grit of dirt in your mouth, the burning sensation of tequila in your gut and the lust of a drunken Raiders fan in your heart after watching this realistic western. I know, I just had to throw that in.

I remember seeing "Bandolero" on the big movie screen when I was a kid, and I fell in love with the lusty looking Raquel Welch on that day. Had I seen this movie on the big screen as a kid I'd probably be living in Italy and working in the film industry today. Such is the beauty and allure of Claudia Cardinale. I plan to submit a request to the many independent movie houses in the Bay Area suggesting a viewing of this masterpiece of a movie. One look at the pic above and you'll understand why. You're never too old to dream boys.

Here are two quotes from the movie, The Professionals. Both quotes are referring to the results of War, the movie being set in the time of the Mexican Revolution. But the quotes could apply to any war, even the War in Iraq.

When the shooting stops and the dead are buried and the politicians take over,
it all adds up to one thing, a lost cause. B. Lancaster

Without a cause we are nothing.
We stay because we believe.
We believe because we are disillusioned.
We come back because we are lost.
We die because we are commited. J. Palance