Disturbing yet enthralling

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

This motion picture is a Spanish/Italian Co-production well realized by Carlos Saura . It packs gorgeous landscapes , charming cinematography , imaginative soundtrack and luxurious costumes ; all meld together under Carlos Saura's enjoyable direction . It is set during the 19th century , Sierra Morena , Zahara De La Sierra , Ronda , Andalucia where had been proliferating ruthless bandits , who alone or in bands , engulfing the region with merciless assaults and ominous murders . For ironies of history , many bandits were good benefactors of the humble and unfortunate people , giving rise to the glamorous as well as romantic legends of the generous Andalucian Bandidos .In fact, almost all of them were selfish and ambitious men , who could not be expected no sense humanitarian . These Bandoleros seem to have a whole praise by singing "Coplas of blind" sung in couplets and romances of blind singers which dedicated to bandits as "Lucero" , ¨Luis Candelas¨ , or ¨Cura Merino¨ . As "El Tempranillo", whose name runs throughout the mountains and villages , being relentlessly frightened and hated by townsfolk . As El Tempranillo and his gang were cruel and savage outlaws that infested the area from Sierra Morena and surroundings . It begins with José María "El Tempranillo" (Francisco Rabal) fleeing from justice , takes refuge in Sierra Morena , Andalucia and joins forces with a band (Manuel Zarzo , Fernando Sanchez Polack , Philippe Leroy) . After a period of hard learning , José Maria uses all kind of shrewdness in order to infiltrate himself and to lead the bunch . Shortly after , there takes place his deadly confrontation to ruthless leader El Lutos (Lino Ventura) and he becomes the chief of the group of bandits . But his wife María Jerónima(Lea Massari) is detained and he then seeks vendetta . As soon as José Maria turns into band leader , the gang carries out attacks , kidnappings , blackmails and killings , including spectacular battles against Fernando VII troops . Based on real story of a known ¨Bandolero¨ , El Tempranillo , a rebel and liberal outlaw who operated in Sierra Morena . King Fernando VII attempted to defeat these bandits or Bandoleros by large garrisons called ¨Migueletes¨ . Tempranillo formed a numerous band , about 50 men , as "El Lero", "El Venitas", "El De La Torre" o "El Veneno". Many of them were heroes in Guerra De La Independencia against the French . His most famous assault was in Écija, when attacked a stagecoach and took a big amount of money from Treasury . In 1832, Fernando VII conceded a pardon for all the bandits who not return to banditry . "El Tempranillo" told his underlings to follow him and to leave banditry , and if they go on the assaults , ¨Tempranillo¨ himself will carry them to gallows . "El Lero", "El Venitas" y "La Torre" accepted the proposition ; but "El Veneno" renounced , and he was pursued and condemned . Later on , Tempranillo had an ambush and was double-crossed by an old partner "el Barberillo" who shot to him , dying at 28 years old . This ¨Tortilla¨ adventure "Weeping for a Bandit" is filled with thrills , intrigue , chases and breathtaking confrontations with precious rousing original music by Carlo Rustichelli and luminous cinematography by Juan Julio Baena . This traditional ¨Bandido¨ movie made in Andaluzi-Western style contains nice action , pursuits , attacks and exuberant outdoors . Decent screenplay dealing with ambition , revenge and redemption that turn out to be the main axis of the plot . Although the story has been told before , appropriate filmmaking and over-the-top acting win out , as it results in a very fine adventure flick . It is a combination of intense drama and full of villainy , betrayal , romance , heroism and redemption . Fine acting by Francisco Rabal as a bandit who joins a dangerous band to rob and destroy enemy troops . Director Saura took advantage of the marvelous exteriors from filming locations such as : Aranjuez, Colmenar De Oreja , Madrid , Puerto de la Morcuera, Rascafría, Madrid ; Cazorla, La Iruela, Jaén ; El Higueral, Priego De Córdoba, Iznájar , Lucena , Córdoba ; Seseña, Toledo , and shooting a hastily assembled attractive picture . In the movie appears usual support actors of the fifties and sixties , such as: José Manuel Martín , Antonio Prieto , Silvia Solar , Venancio Muro , Ángel Álvarez , Agustín González , Fernando Sánchez Polack , Gabriele Tinti and filmmaker Luis Buñuel and writer Antonio Buero Vallejo, among others This is a good-natured colorful romp with glamorous cinematography shot in natural scenarios , who gives us an accurate ambiance of the times is developed , though a perfect remastering being necessary because of the copy is slightly washed-out . In addition , an evocative musical score , including Andalucian popular Coplas and traditional songs . ¨ Weeping for a bandit¨ turns to be a good and attractive film . In my opinion this is one of the best films to come out of Carlos Saura in the decade of the 60s . Rating : Above average for its worthwhile mingle of drama , action and adventure .