Rain for a Dusty Summer (1971) - Once Upon a Time in a Western

Ernest Borgnine is The General, ruler of Mexico in 1917, a man who blames much of the peons’ plight on the church.

So he declares war on that church, wrecking and closing down cathedrals, banishing priests from the country and forbidding mass.

He even has a special police force, led by Col. Marinos (Aldo Sambrell), to enforce his will and hound families known to include priests.

Humberto Almazan is Miguel Pro, a priest in training, unsure he’s worthy to serve in that role.

After all, he’s more comfortable playing guitar and telling jokes than envisioning himself standing in the place of God, celebrating mass and forgiving sins.

But on a visit to his family, he receives encouragement from his mother. And he watches two soldiers gun down a brave bishop.

The church, he decides, must survive. So he heads to California to complete his training.

He returns in disguise. His mother has died. But little else has changed.

Priests are still hunted down by government forces.

Behind closed doors, however, the people of Mexico yearn for a return of the Catholic faith. And embrace the humble priest.

Humberto Almazan as Miguel Pro, in a serious moment with his brother Humberto in Rain for a Dusty Summer (1971)

Ernest Borgnine as The General, encouraging Marinos to find Miguel Pro in Rain for a Dusty Summer (1971)

Review:

Ernest Borgnine gets top billing, at least in U.S. promotions for this film. But have no doubt, Humberto Almazan is the star.

Interesting, he was an acclaimed actor in Mexico in the 1950s before leaving the profession to become a priest. He returned to acting for this film.

And the film is based on a true story of Miguel Pro, who served the church during The Cristero War, prompted by a crackdown on religion in Mexico.

Unfortunately, while Almazan turns in an appealing performance, the film is a bit of a mess..

It’s plagued by too much comedy and Borgnine as a villain whose performance is so bad, it’s difficult to take him seriously.

Sancho Gracia as Humberto Pro, imprisioned because he’s Miguel’s brother in Rain for a Dusty Summer (1971)

Aldo Sambrell as Col. Marinos, in charge of rooting out priests in Mexico in Rain for a Dusty Summer (1971)

Directed by:
Arthur Lubin

Cast:
Ernest Borgnine … The General
Humberto Almazan … Miguel Pro
Sancho Gracia … Humberto Pro
Aldo Sambrell … Col. Marinos
Harry Harris … Joe Weller
Nela Conjiu … Senora Pro
Carlos Casaravilla … Capt. Larrea
Vicente Sangiovanni … Luis Vilches
Malda Severn … Senora Altera
Gemma Cuervo … Loreto
Marta Flores … Margarita
Tina Sainz … Ana Pro
Asuncion Vitoria … Nita
Florencio Calpe … Rector
Martin Porras … Roberto Pro

Runtime: 93 min.

aka:
The Death Force
Guns of the Revolution
Pioggia in un’estate arida

Song: “Rain for a Dusty Summer”
performed by Gene Merlino

Vicente Sangiovanni as Luis Vilches, whose assassination plot goes awry in Rain for a Dusty Summer (1971)

Harry Harris as Joe Weller, the New York reporter who shows religion isn’t dead in Mexico in Rain for a Dusty Summer (1971)

Memorable lines:

Miguel Pro: “I came up with a wonderful play to worry El General. … Thousands of funny baloons, with pictures of El General on them. All over the city. Big men like him don’t like to be laughed at.”
Humberto Pro: “Baloons? It’s guns, bombs, Mexico needs now. Not baloons. All you can think of is to make jokes. All you want is to be a fat monseignor, feeding the pigeons in the plaza. You care nothing of Mexico or freedom.”
Miguel Pro: “I care so much about Mexico that I don’t want it done your way.”

Mexican soldier, as Miguel Pro flees after seeing a bishop shot: “He might be a priest.”
2nd Mexican soldier: “We got a bishop. That’s good enough for one night.”

The General: “What a pity you went into the priesthood. You would have made a great general.”
Miguel Pro: “With all due respect, general, maybe you would have made a great pope.”