Jimmy Stewart plays a loner who masquerades as a hangman in order to save the lives of Dee Bishop (Dean Martin) and his gang. Along the way, the gang gets a hold of feisty Mexican bride Maria (Raquel Welch),and keeps her with them so they can have a hostage on hand. Pursuing them DEEP into Mexico is a lawman (George Kennedy) whose mission is rather personal: not only did he not appreciate being made to look foolish, but he's in love with Maria, hoping that he can win her love. The main problem that both pursuers and the pursued have is that they are travelling through bandit country.

And the bandits in this beautifully photographed, widescreen Western are particularly bloodthirsty, giving the film some potent, grisly implied violence.

There's a first rate cast in this one, with Dino and Jimmy supported by other familiar faces like Andrew Prine, Will Geer (an unsurprising scene stealer as a cantankerous aged outlaw),Clint Ritchie, Denver Pyle, Sean McClory, Harry Carey Jr., Don 'Red' Barry, Guy Raymond, Perry Lopez, Jock Mahoney, Dub Taylor, John Mitchum, and Patrick Cranshaw. But it's really the fact that the main roles are played with some nuance that makes the difference in this amiable-enough story. Dino is no hardcore criminal, but always has been a cynic. Jimmy gets to play a character who is a might shadier than others he's played. "It was something to do." The lovely Raquel is a delight, holding her own opposite such talented veterans. And Kennedy is solid in an even-handed portrayal of a very determined man.

Screenplay by genre veteran James Lee Barrett, based on a story by Stanley Hough, while Andrew V. McLaglen, who himself did lots of work in the genre, is in the directors' chair. One of the brightest elements has to be the typically zesty score by Jerry Goldsmith.

Seven out of 10.

In Texas , two outlaws brothers (Jimmy and Dino) become fugitives who flee after being jailed and about hanging . The brothers along with their gang (Will Geer , among others) taking a hostage (Raquel Welch) flee across the Mexican frontier . During escape south of border run into trouble with their Mexican counterparts . Meanwhile , they're pursued by a sheriff (George Kennedy) , deputy (Andrew Prine) and a posse.

This is a nice Western-pursuit plenty of action , violence , shootouts , and quite bemusing . Agreeable acting by Dean Martin as the bad brother and terrific performance by James Stewart as the good but greedy brother . Stewart appears in all Andrew McLagen's other best movies, ¨The rare breed¨ and ¨Fool's parade¨. Furthermore , gorgeous Raquel Welch giving a mediocre acting , as always . Support cast is frankly excellent , such as : Andrew Prine , Will Geer , Clint Ritchie , Denver Pyle , Harry Carey Jr , Perry Lopez , Jock Mahoney and Dub Taylor . In addition , George Kennedy as tough but enamored sheriff is cool .George Kennedy & Dean Martin played together before in "The Sons of Katie Elder" and would do so again in "Airport" .

The movie displays an awesome cinematography in colorful outdoors by William H. Clothier , John Ford's usual . Spectacular and exciting musical score by the great Jerry Goldsmith who composes with his habitual panaché . The motion picture was well realized by Andrew McLagen , Victor Mc Lagen's son . He was a Western expert, starting in television series as ¨Gunsmoke¨ of which direct many episodes.Besides assistant director of famous Western filmmakers as John Ford, William Wellman and Budd Boetticher . Maclagen's Western talent kept him directing projects throughout the 70s and 80s and enjoyable John Wayne vehicles as ¨McLintock¨ and ¨Cahill,Us Marshall¨ and his best movie, ¨Chisum¨ . Although his product of this time was dispiriting to those who would have liked to have seen subtler talents re-emerge. Rating : Acceptable and amusing Western , it will appeal to Jimmy and Dino enthusiastic and of course, Raquel Welch fans.

Despite having Jimmy Stewart and Dean Martin, this is a purely average Western that is eminently skip-able. While some of the story elements are new and interesting, the vast majority of the movie just doesn't provide much that is new or believable. The problems? Well, first it is very difficult to believe that Dean Martin and Jimmy Stewart are brothers. It's not just that they look so different, but they sound so different as well. Then, the whole plot about Stewart trying to get his brother to go straight BUT only after Jimmy broke a whole lotta laws. And, finally, the "romance" between Dean Martin and Ms. Welch just seemed stupid. Now I know that she didn't love her husband but she did care about him,...and then to fall for the man responsible for his murder just doesn't make sense. The film is just too far-fetched and the payoff too small to make this anything other than a time passer.

FYI--Ms. Welch plays a Mexican. Hearing this accent from her was weird, though I guess she played the role okay.