Companeros (1970)

Franco Nero is Yodlaf Peterson, nicknamed “The Swede,” a mercenary who rides into the town of San Bernadino with a cache of guns and ammunition and finds himself caught in the middle of a three-way battle for control of Mexico.

General Mongo leads the local revolutionaries, with Vasco (Tomas Milian) as one of his chief lieutenants. Professor Xantos, who is jailed in the U.S., heads another faction of revolutionaries — students interested in a peaceful overthrow of the Mexican government. Then, of course, there’s the government itself, eager to put down any rebellion with its military might.

The Swede has been summoned by Mongo, who confesses that his real goal is personal wealth, revolution be damned. And right now, a locked San Bernadino safe stands between him and personal wealth.

The only person left alive who knows that combination — none other than Professor Xantos. So the Swede is sent to America to bring back Xantos; Vasco goes along to make sure they both return.

And the Mexican army isn’t their only concern. Also on their trail is John, a half-mad drug addict who lost one hand after being nailed to a cross. His pet bird, Marsha, ate off the hand to save his life.

John blames the Swede for his misfortune. If revenge isn’t enough motivation, there’s the handsome reward American oil interests have offered to make sure Xantos doesn’t get control of Mexico.

Franco Nero as The Swede, preparing for a showdown in Companeros (1970)

Tomas Milian as El Vasco, learning a lesson about a young woman’s wrath in Companeros (1970)

Review:

Great fun thanks to Corbucci, Spaghetti veterans Nero and Milian and a clever script with more twists than turns than most had by the 1970s. There’s a fine score, too, courtesy of Ennio Morricone, of course.

Among the more novel moments: At one point, The Swede and Vasco track Xantos down via a trail of tiny turtles he’s trying to rescue.

In another, Vasco is strapped to a rock, with a basket tied across his stomach. It’s a form of torture, you see. John intends to put a mole in the basket, and watch as it digs it’s way through Vasco’s stomach.

Then there’s the film’s running joke. When they first meet, The Swede gives Vasco a silver dollar. Vasco is forever asking why. The Swede is always hesitant to answer, knowing he won’t like the answer.

Corbucci serves up a nice ending, too.

Jack Palance as John, a man with a pet bird name Marsha, looking for revenge in Companeros (1970)

Jose Bodalo as Gen. Mongo, a man looking to get rich off a revolution in Companeros (1970)

Directed by:
Sergio Corbucci

Cast:
Franco Nero … Yodlaf Peterson
(The Swede)
Tomas Milian … El Vasco
Fernando Rey … Professor Xantos
Iris Berben … Lola
Jose Bodalo … Gen. Mongo
(as Francisco Bodalo)
Jack Palance … John
Gino Pernice … Tourneur
Karin Schubert … Zaira
Eduardo Fajardo … Colonel

Also with: Gerard Tichy, Lorenzo Robledo, Alvaro de Luna, Jesus Fernandez, Giovanni Petti, Giovanni Pulone, Claudio Scarchilli, Victor Israel, Tito Garcia, Simon Arriaga, Rafael Albaicin, José Canalejas, José Luis Lizalde, Joaquin Parra, Vicente Roca, José Marco, Antonio Padilla, Pablo Gonzalez

aka:
Vamos a Matar, Companeros!

Music: Ennio Morricone
Song: “Vamos a matar Companeros” performed by I Cantori Moderni di Alessandroni

Runtime: 118 min.

Iris Berben as Lola, a student revolutionary leader in Companeros (1970)

Karin Schubert as Zaira, a prostitute capable of causing a diversion in Companeros (1970)

Memorable lines:

Xantos: “Put away those guns. They are carrying the white flag.”
El Vasco: “Professor, as far as I’m concerned, they can wipe their asses with it.”

Swede: “How did you escape from there?”
John: “It was Marsha (a pet bird). She was the only one I had left. She saved me from a nail that pinned my flesh to the tree.”
Swede: “How? Pulled the nail loose with her beak?”
John: “No. No, she ate off my hand.”
Swede: “Well, these things happen.”

Vasco, as he and The Swede try to smuggle Xantos past soldiers, inside a coffin: “For the Lord’s sake thou professor who art inside / please be quiet and enjoy the ride / just one noise no matter how small / and you’ll end up against a wall / amen.”

Fernando Rey as Professor Xantos, a peaceful revolutionary leader in Companeros (1970)

Franco Nero as The Swede and Tomas Milian as El Vasco facing a jam in Companeros (1970)

Other tidbits

Jack Palance was a professional boxer in the early 1940s and won his first 15 fights, 12 by knockout. World War II interrupted his boxing career. He was wounded in combat and received the Purple Heart.

The two female leads in the film went on to drastically different post “Companeros” futures, though in keeping with their roles in the movie. Karin Schubert, the saloon madame, turned to adult films in 1984. Iris Berden, the student revolutionary, was featured on the cover of Time in 2003 as a European hero for her help in fostering understanding between the Christian and Jewish communities.

Tomas Milian as El Vasco, a man learning the meaning of a revolution in Companeros (1970)

Franco Nero as The Swede, considering a proposition in Companeros (1970)