J. Lee Thompson directed Mackenna's Gold, a film adapted by Carl Foreman from Henry Wilson Allen’s novel (also known as Heck Allen, Henry Allen & Will Henry!), which draws loosely on the legend of the Lost Adams Diggings. The movie features Gregory Peck, Omar Sharif, Camilla Sparv, Julie Newmar, Ted Cassidy, and Telly Savalas, with cinematography by Joseph MacDonald in Technicolor and Super Panavision, accompanied by a score from Quincy Jones. The opening is promising; the credits boast not only Peck, Sharif, and Newmar as leads but also a supporting cast of notable actors: Eli Wallach, Edward G. Robinson, Raymond Massey, Burgess Meredith, Lee J. Cobb, Keenan Wynn, and Anthony Quayle. We’re treated to beautiful aerial shots of Monument Valley, a vulture soars across the sky, and then we hear “Old Turkey Buzzard” sung by José Feliciano in a way that feels like it belongs in a 1970s adult film. That moment establishes the true nature of Mackenna's Gold. The basic premise is sound: Lawman Mackenna (Peck) possesses knowledge of the location of the legendary Canyon of Gold, a place overflowing with gold but fiercely protected by the Apache. With the map in his memory, Peck is quickly captured by Mexican bandit Colorado (Sharif) and his gang, one member of which (Newmar as Indian Hesh-Ke) has a past connection to Mackenna. Soon after, Mackenna’s group is joined by numerous other gold seekers, all seemingly consumed by Gold Fever. Internal conflict and distrust arise, with the Cavalry pursuing Colorado and the Apache still posing a threat—making this situation incredibly perilous. The film's biggest problem is its disjointed and lifeless feel. Originally intended as a three-hour epic, complete with an intermission, the budget likely went towards securing the cast, and the producers seemed unable to manage such an ambitious project. Consequently, the movie was trimmed to just over two hours; thankfully. Given the impressive cast assembled, it’s clear this was a grand undertaking meant to keep the Western genre alive and entertain adventure-loving audiences. It's easy to see why so many talented performers signed on, though Peck was second choice after Clint Eastwood wisely opted for Hang Em High. What we get is a series of tired tropes and absurdities that unintentionally elicit laughter. The special effects are poor; while one doesn’t expect top-tier rear projection work, the actors' unconvincing attempts to portray reality undermine Joseph MacDonald’s fine exterior shots. The problems extend beyond the effects—before even addressing issues with the cast, there’s Jones’ awful score to endure. It sounds as if he believes he’s scoring a Keystone Cops Gold Rush comedy! Dimitri Tiomkin, along with Foreman, is credited in production (a curious detail), and one would assume he could have composed something better in his sleep. Peck is adequate, his laconic style suiting the tone of the story. Sharif seems completely wrong for the part, while Sparv is simply terrible. Newmar raises the temperature for both audience and cast alike, seemingly her only directive, while the celebrated supporting actors appear and disappear without making a significant impact. This all leads to a predictable finale filled with ham acting, model work, and clichés. Despite these flaws, there’s just enough entertainment value to keep some viewers engaged until the end. One wonders if the Canyon of Gold truly exists, and Peck is so likable that we simply want him to triumph over the villains. Does it succeed by failing spectacularly? It's enjoyable in a way, but considering it comes from the creators of The Guns of Navarone, it’s clear the final product isn’t the kind of entertainment they initially envisioned. 3.5/10

Source on TMDB