Movie spotlight
Jake Remy leads a gang of outlaw cutthroats making their escape toward Mexico from a successful robbery. Barring their way is a river--crossable only by means of a ferry barge. The barge operator, Travis, refuses to be bullied into providing transport for the gang and escapes across river with most of the local populace--leaving Remy and his gang behind, desperately seeking a way across. A river-wide stand-off begins between the gang and the townspeople, both groups of which have left people on the wrong side of the river.
In 1840s Cuba, a ruthless pirate captain named Barquero commands a heavily armed vessel. When his ship is damaged, he seeks refuge and supplies on a small island inhabited by a handful of settlers, led by a former soldier. Barquero's demands escalate, turning the desperate islanders into a target of his violence. The settlers must band together to defend themselves against the formidable pirate and his crew, leading to a brutal and bloody struggle for survival.
Barquero is a gritty and violent Western-style film set in Cuba, notable for its atmospheric tension and brutal action sequences. While not a mainstream critical darling, it garnered attention for its strong performances, particularly from Lee Van Cleef, and its unflinching portrayal of violence. It's considered a solid, albeit somewhat niche, entry in the adventure/western genre of its time.
Praised for its intense and often brutal action sequences.
Lee Van Cleef's commanding performance as the villainous Barquero is a highlight.
The film effectively builds tension and a sense of dread.
Google audience: Audience reception for Barquero is mixed, with many appreciating the strong Western elements and violent confrontations. Some viewers found the plot predictable, but the performances and action generally received positive remarks.
The film was shot in Spain, despite being set in Cuba, a common practice for spaghetti westerns and similar productions of the era to reduce costs and utilize existing filmmaking infrastructure.
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God Damn Barge Man! Barquero is directed by Gordon Douglas and written by George Schenck. It stars Lee Van Cleef, Warren Oates, Forrest Tucker, Kerwin Matthews and Mariette Hartley. Music is by Dominic Frontiere and cinematography by Ger...