The Plunderers (1960 film)

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The Plunderers
The Plunderers (1960 film).jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Joseph Pevney
Written byBob Barbash
Produced byJoseph Prevney
Starring Jeff Chandler
John Saxon
Dolores Hart
Narrated byJeff Chandler
Cinematography Gene Polito
Edited byTom McAdoo
Music by Leonard Rosenman
Production
company
August Productions
Distributed by Allied Artists
Release date
  • November 5, 1960 (1960-11-05)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Plunderers is a 1960 American Western film directed by Joseph Pevney and starring Jeff Chandler, John Saxon and Dolores Hart. [1] It was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1960.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Plot

Unruly cowboys Rondo, Jeb, Mule and Davy ride into the small town of Trail City. They are unable to pay for their drinks, so Sheriff McCauley jails them for a night, on the understanding that they will leave town in the morning. The next day, however, they refuse to pay Ellie Walters at the general store for the clothes they take, and then convince Kate Miller that they will pay for the rooms they take at her hotel.

Realizing that they are trouble-makers, Kate asks the rancher Sam Christy, an old love of hers, for help. He is an American Civil War hero, but has lost the use of one arm and is tired of fighting. She accuses him of cowardice, and they part acrimoniously. Ellie warns Kate that she will lose her chance of marrying Sam. When the cowboys beat up the saloon keeper and McCauley is killed by Jeb, however, Sam offers to do what he can. The four cowboys go through the town and gather up everyone's guns, leaving the townsfolk defenseless. They ply the town drunk, Abilene, with whiskey in exchange for information.

Sam goes to his ranch to get his gun, but is ambushed by two of the cowboys and beaten. Ellie finds him at the ranch and tends to him and they kiss. They drive back to town, where Sam gathers the men in the stable to hatch a plan. They decide to separate the cowboys and capture them one by one. Davy is upset by what's happening and wants the cowboys to leave. He decides to go on his own, but when he goes to the stable to get his horse, he is captured by Sam and the townspeople. Ellie is attacked by Rondo but she fights him off and he is captured by Sam using Davy's gun. In the stable, Rondo comes at Sam with a knife and Ellie shoots him. Sam then kills Mule in a knife fight and shoots the panicking Jeb. He allows the remorseful Davy to leave town. Ellie and Sam come together.

Cast

Production

The film was made by August Productions for Allied Artists. August was a production company established by Jeff Chandler in association with writer Bob Barbash and publicist Jess Rand. Chandler described the film as "not a Western though the locale is the West." [2] John Saxon had played many Mexican parts. [3]

Filming started 12 May 1960. [4]

Release

Steve Broidy of Allied Artists was so happy with the film he requested three more movies from August, only two of which Chandler had to appear in. [2]

References

  1. ↑ "The Plunderers (1960) - Joseph Pevney | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie".
  2. 1 2 Scheuer, Philip K. (October 4, 1960). "Renewal at Allied for Jeff Chandler: 'Plunderers' Pleases Studio; Star Urges Subsidy for Films". Los Angeles Times. p. A9.
  3. ↑ Vagg, Stephen (July 29, 2020). "The Top Twelve Stages of Saxon". Filmink.
  4. ↑ Scheuer, Philip K. (May 3, 1960). "Marsha Hunt Signs for 'Plunderers': 'Threepenny Opera' Due Here; 'Untouchables' Will Expand". Los Angeles Times. p. A13.
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