The Rios gang hits the Wardlaw bank, with leader Johnny Rios (John Castellanos) gunning down a woman and child in the process.
But they don’t get far, thanks to Sheriff Bob Gambol (Michael Gregory). Johnny winds up in prison with a sure date with a noose somewhere in his future.
That’s if the sheriff can hang on to his prisoner. He knows there are three other Rios brothers out there, so he tries to convince the town leaders to move the trial elsewhere before they come looking to free Johnny.
Wardlaw, after all, is a bit short on able-bodied or willing deputies.
Mayor Clyde refuses, convinced the murder trial will put the town on the map and perhaps him in the governor’s office.
Meanwhile, Johnny has a couple of surprises about his past to reveal to Sheriff Bob. Those surprises involve both the sheriff’s wife Lana (Leslie Easterbrook) and daughter Jen.
Then the Rios brothers ride into town with their ultimatum. Either the sheriff sets Johnny free, or they will annihilate the town of Wardlow and kill everyone in sight.
John Castellans as Johnny Rios, about to show how blood thirsty he can be in Retribution Road (2007)
Michael Gregory as Sheriff Bob Gambol, dispensing justice in an uncustomary manner in Retribution Road (2007)
Review:
I suppose the two half-wit ex-Confederates and the closeup of a snake as the Rios brothers ride toward Wardlow are director Chuck Walker’s attempt to add an edge to his film.
It doesn’t work. And neither does much else in this muddled mess. You know you’re in trouble when Johnny steps out of the bank and throws away all the loot so he can pull a second gun.
Soon after, comes the most ludicrous scene in the film. The sheriff’s wife arrives at the jail, begging Johnny not to reveal their past to her husband.
If she had just stayed home, how would he have ever known former saloon girl Lana was the sheriff’s wife? Especially since she doesn’t even live in town.
Oh, and wait until you see the bizarre fate that awaits the drunken, whore-mongering mayor of Wardlaw.
Walker had some veterans at his disposal. Gregory has a host of film and TV credits dating back to the early 1970s. Castellanos was a longtime member of the cast of The Young and Restless. Easterbrook is best remembered as bra-busting Capt. Debbie Callahan from the Police Academy films. Here, only Castellanos can do anything with his role, and it’s far from enough to salvage the film.
The film was originally called Blue Eyes, probably because it’s a trait outlaw Johnny Rios and sheriff’s daughter Jen share.
Leslie Easterbrook as Lana Gambol, upset that Johnny has leaked a well-guarded secret in Retribution Road (2007)
Hallie Pierce as Jen Gambol, getting a warning about Johnny from her mother in Retribution Road (2007)
Directed by:
Chuck Walker
Cast:
John Castellanos … Johnny Rios
Michael Gregory … Sheriff Bob Gambol
Leslie Easterbrook … Lana Gambol
Hallie Pierce … Jen Gambol
Burton Gilliam … Allie
Peter Sherayko .. Mayor Clyde
Corbin Timbrook … Louie
Alan Arnold … Councilman Pete
Al Hayter … Councilman Ray
Molly Elswick … Margie
Terry Mann … Doc Perkins
Eduardo Enriquez Jr. … Pedro Rios
Mark Enriquez … Raul Rios
Carolos Rodriguez … Joe Rios
Tony Rowe … Preacher
aka:
Blue Eyes
Runtime: 85 min.
Peter Sherayko as Mayor Clyde, the politician who wants to put his town on the map in Retribution Road (2007)
Molly Elswick as Margie, the mayor’s whore and lover in Retribution Road (2007)
Memorable lines:
Mayor, to the sheriff, after he suggests the Rios trial be moved: “Now, Bob, think about what a trial can do for this town. Think of what it can do for you as a lawman.”
Sheriff Bob: “Mayor, don’t piss on my leg and tell me it’s raining. You’re just thinking about what it will do for you as a politician.”
Sheriff Bob, aiming a gun at Johnny Rios: “There’s a fourth option.”
Johnny Rios, smiling: “Come on, Bob. I’m not worried about that. You’re one of the good guys.”
Bob: ‘You bastard.”
Johnny: “In my case, an accident of birth. But, you, you’re a self-made man.”
Eduardo Enriquez Jr. as Ricardo Rios, leader of the gang out to rescue Johnny in Retribution Road (2007)
John Castellanos as Johnny Rios, causing unexpected problems for the sheriff even behind bars in Retribution Road (2007)
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