The Five Man Army

Watch The Five Man Army

"They're riding to a trainload of Mexican gold... and they don't care how many killings it takes to get there!"
  • M/PG
  • 1969
  • 1 hr 45 min
  • 6.6  (1,757)

In the 1969 spaghetti Western film "The Five Man Army," directed by Don Taylor, a group of five men with different skillsets come together to rob a heavily-guarded Mexican fortress. The men include a rugged explosives expert named Mesito (Bud Spencer), a sharpshooter named Dutchman (Peter Graves), a samurai warrior named Luis (Tetsuro Tamba), a bandit named Pepe (Nino Castelnuovo), and a pickpocket named Billy (James Daly).

The group is brought together by a former soldier named Settebello (played by a small mustache-sporting Gianni Garko), who convinces them to undertake the impossible mission of robbing the fortress of its gold, which has been seized from rebel forces. Settebello convinces the disparate men to work together, even though they come from different parts of the world and speak different languages.

The title of the film comes from a sequence in which the five men work together to infiltrate the fort, with each member of the team carrying out a specific role in the heist. Dutchman is the sniper, firing at anyone who tries to stop them from entering the fortress. Mesito sets off small bombs to create diversions, while Luis uses his sword to fight off guards in close quarters combat. Pepe relies on his charm and wit to deceive the guards, and Billy uses his nimble fingers to pick locks and pockets.

Despite the efforts of the Five Man Army, they face numerous obstacles along the way. The fort is heavily guarded and there are many traps and security measures in place. In addition, the team finds themselves under attack from a small army of Mexican soldiers who are trying to retake the fortress.

Despite these challenges, the Five Man Army persists and finally manages to infiltrate the fort and reach the vault where the gold is stored. However, they discover that the gold is heavily booby-trapped and they must use all of their skills to disarm the traps and make their escape. Ultimately, the team members have to sacrifice themselves to allow one of their number to make a clean getaway with the gold.

Although it is a classic spaghetti Western, "The Five Man Army" is unique in that it features an international cast and a story that relies heavily on teamwork and cooperation between individuals from different backgrounds. The film is also notable for its action sequences, which are well-directed and exciting, and for its score, which was composed by Ennio Morricone.

The principal actor in this film, Bud Spencer, is a well-known Italian actor, film producer, and former professional swimmer. Spencer, who died in 2016, was often associated with films that featured him in slapstick comedies and action movies.

Peter Graves, another notable actor in the film, is best known for his role as Jim Phelps in the television series "Mission: Impossible." Graves also had a prolific film career, appearing in numerous movies and television shows over the course of several decades.

Overall, "The Five Man Army" is a solid action-adventure film that is well worth watching for fans of the Western genre. While the story is not particularly complex, the cast of characters is diverse and interesting, and the action sequences are well-staged and exciting. The film's emphasis on collaboration and teamwork also helps to set it apart from other films in the genre, making it a refreshing and enjoyable viewing experience.

The Five Man Army is a 1969 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.

The Five Man Army
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Where to Watch The Five Man Army
The Five Man Army is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent The Five Man Army for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1969
  • MPAA Rating
    M/PG
  • Runtime
    1 hr 45 min
  • Language
    Italian
  • IMDB Rating
    6.6  (1,757)
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