The Gaucho (1927)
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48% of users liked it
(608 ratings)
Douglas Fairbanks' The Gaucho is a curiosity: a traditional Fairbanks actioner with decidedly unsavory, unpleasant and uncharacteristic overtones. For the first time in his career, Fairbanks plays what would have been a villainous role in anyone else's film: An outlaw leader who exploits… More Douglas Fairbanks' The Gaucho is a curiosity: a traditional Fairbanks actioner with decidedly unsavory, unpleasant and uncharacteristic overtones. For the first time in his career, Fairbanks plays what would have been a villainous role in anyone else's film: An outlaw leader who exploits religion for his own nefarious purposes. As the unofficial leader of Miracle City, Fairbanks laughs aloud as the faithful flock to the shrine of the Madonna: he knows that, once they've left, he can claim the pitiful alms they've left behind. Eventually, however, Fairbanks experiences a religious conversion, thanks in part to the love of a good woman and in great part to a deus-ex-machina appearance by the Madonna Herself (portrayed, unbilled, by Fairbanks' wife Mary Pickford). A subplot involving leprosy and suicide adds to the overall discomforting tone of the film. Despite its lapses in taste, The Gaucho amassed a fortune for Fairbanks, who in 1928 could do no wrong at the box office. Lupe Velez makes her first major film appearance as a lusty mountain girl. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- F. Richard Jones
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Nov 21, 1927 Wide
- On DVD
- Mar 8, 2005
Critic Reviews
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Austin Kennedy, Film Geek Central
It may get too bogged down with religious themes during the second half, but that doesn't keep it from being a likable, rousing adventure, featuring a fantastic performance from Fairbanks.
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Sean Axmaker, Parallax View
... one of the best, most mature and most interesting films in his career.
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Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
What was new was a considerably darker tone than other swashbuckling adventures.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Douglas Fairbanks
as The Gaucho
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Eve Southern
as Girl of the Shrine. as a Child
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Lupe Velez
as The Mountain Girl
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Gustav von Seyffertitz
as Ruiz the Usurper
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Geraine Greear
as The Girl of the Shrine
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Michael Vavitch
as Ruiz's 1st Lieutenant
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Nigel De Brulier
as The Padre
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Mary Pickford
as Our Lady of the Shrine
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Albert MacQuarrie
as Victim of the Black Doom
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Charles Stevens
as The Gaucho's 1st Lieutenant
