When a movie centers around men of action, one naturally anticipates plenty of action. "As the American Civil War came to an end, another conflict was starting. The people of Mexico were trying to get rid of their foreign Emperor—Maximilian. Into this struggle rode several Americans—former soldiers, adventurers, criminals—all looking for profit. They made their way South in small groups—AND SOME CAME ALONE." Gary Cooper and Burt Lancaster lead the cast as two very different American adventurers who become involved with Maximilian’s royal family and Juarez's revolutionaries during the 1860s in Mexico. Cooper portrays Benjamin Trane, essentially a decent man, though one marked by cynicism, while Lancaster plays Joe Erin, a gunman and an unreliable criminal. *Vera Cruz* was the first release in SuperScope (beautifully filmed by Ernest Laszlo on location in Mexico) and with director Robert Aldrich at the controls, the film skillfully captures the violence and danger that arose during Mexico’s revolutionary period. Adapted by Roland Kibbee and James R. Webb from a Borden Chase story, *Vera Cruz* feels very much like a forerunner to Peckinpah's *The Wild Bunch* and Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Westerns of the 60s. With its combination of comedy and straightforward action, the film is essentially a buddy movie set in the West with a cynical, amoral twist. This mix might not appeal to everyone, but with Lancaster (clearly enjoying himself) and Cooper (at his most restrained) as the leads, the film rises above any sense of oddness. The level of skill on display, from the stature of its stars to Aldrich’s clever planning of the action sequences, ensures this is a well-made production. There's plenty of machismo, naturally; just look at Charles Bronson, Ernest Borgnine and Jack Elam in the supporting cast to see that. However, it should be noted that the film seems interested in presenting an evenhanded view of the Mexican conflict. The government of Mexico at the time were upset by the movie, but looking back now it's clear that it doesn’t favor one side or another. That deserves recognition. There are some drawbacks; for example, some of the dialogue feels a little too corny these days. And while Denise Darcel is playing the main female character, she seems out of her depth. It might seem like she’s overwhelmed by all the testosterone around her, but when you notice that Sara Montiel manages just fine in a smaller role, it highlights Darcel's limitations. *Vera Cruz* performed adequately upon its release, neither a huge success nor a complete failure. It would take over ten years before people began to recognize the film’s true worth. Now, it is apparent how influential it has been within the genre. Explosive, significant and just plain entertaining—it's hard to ignore that combination. 8/10

Source on TMDB