Barquero (1970)

“I shot and scalped a lot of freckle-faced kids” 24 July 2019

The Quick Pitch:  Remy (Warren Oates) is the leader of a band of outlaws.  He wants to cross a river on his way to Mexico. The titular barquero, Travis (Lee Van Cleef), isn’t going to let him use his barge.  He knows it will be destroyed to prevent others from following. A stand-off ensues.

Until I stumbled on this last night, I had no idea Barquero even existed.  What a find! Warren Oates and Lee Van Cleef in the same movie. These guys just ooze machismo.  Throw in a supporting cast featuring Forrest Tucker and Kerwin Mathews and there was no way I wouldn’t enjoy Barquero.  The opening shootout as Remy and his men slaughter everyone in a small town to steal a wagon load of guns is an over-the-top joy to behold.  And the last act where Remy and Travis are drawn into their final, inevitable showdown is just plain old awesome.

The problem with Barquero is the bits that come between the beginning and the end.  Unfortunately, the second act really drags with Remy and Travis separated by a river.  They shout back and forth, but there’s really not much else that happens. Too bad, because with this kind of cast, some fantastic locations, and plenty of blood and violence, Barquero had the potential to be legendary.   

6/10