The Mercenary (Il Mercenario) (A Professional Gun) (1968)

78% of users liked it
(410 ratings)

This spaghetti western finds a despotic mine owner (Eduardo Fajardo) the target for revenge by the idealistic patriot Eufemio (Tony Musante). He hires Bill Douglas (Franco Nero) to incite a revolution that will oust the government and the greedy miner. Douglas agrees as long as his creature comforts… More This spaghetti western finds a despotic mine owner (Eduardo Fajardo) the target for revenge by the idealistic patriot Eufemio (Tony Musante). He hires Bill Douglas (Franco Nero) to incite a revolution that will oust the government and the greedy miner. Douglas agrees as long as his creature comforts are insured during the crossing of the unforgiving desert. Ricciolo (Jack Palance) is the mercenary working for the side of the mineowner. Ennio Morricone provides the music for this violent and humorous film. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Sergio Corbucci
Genres: Western, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 29, 1968 Wide
On DVD: Jan 30, 2001
Studio: United Artists

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

It's like an unofficial prequel to Companeros, but that's not a bad thing at all. In fact, it's almost just as fun and I feel as though Jack Palance's character was even more evil in this. Franco Nero is pretty hilarious as a gluttonous mercenary who manipulates a… More
It's like an unofficial prequel to Companeros, but that's not a bad thing at all. In fact, it's almost just as fun and I feel as though Jack Palance's character was even more evil in this. Franco Nero is pretty hilarious as a gluttonous mercenary who manipulates a gang of Mexican revolutionaries. Tony Musante is nothing compared to the Italian superstar known as Thomas Milian, but considering that this came out before Companeros it doesn't make the movie lacking anything expected. Sergio Corbucci may have not been quite as talented as Sergio Leone, but he has quite the collection of amazing spaghetti westerns under his belt. This is in my opinion way more violent than The Wild Bunch so if you're looking for machine guns up the wazoo and carnage galore, this is it.
Tsubaki S

In many ways this feels like the foundation of what would be "Compañeros". The chemistry between Nero and Musante is not as strong as the one the first has with Tomas Milian. The movie is fun but it feels that is making the story as it goes. Morricone is great as usual, not… More
In many ways this feels like the foundation of what would be "Compañeros". The chemistry between Nero and Musante is not as strong as the one the first has with Tomas Milian. The movie is fun but it feels that is making the story as it goes. Morricone is great as usual, not that you need to be told anyway.

Cast

            Franco Nero as Bill Douglas / Sergei Kowalski  [in U.S. version]

            Tony Musante as Eufemio / Paco Ramon [in U.S. version]

            Jack Palance as Ricciolo / Curly  [in U.S. version]

            Giovanna Ralli as Columba

            Eduardo Fajardo as Alfonso Garcia

            Bruno Corazzari as Studs

            Remo De Angelis as Hudo

            Franco Giacobini as Pepote

            Tito Garcia as Vigilante At Mines

            Angel Alvarez as Notary

            Juan Cazalilla as Mayor Of Allenda

            Jose Zalde as Innkeeper

            Jose Antonio Lopez as Juan

            Simón Arriaga as Simon

            Jose Ma Aguinaco as Ramirez

            Joe Kamel
            
            Jose Angel Ortiz as 3rd Mexican

            Milo Quesada as Marco

            Franco Ressel
            
            Vicente Roca as Elias Garcia

            Guillermo Méndez as Captain

            Fernando Villena as Sergeant

            Raf Baldassarre as Mateo

            Jose Canalejas as Pablo

            Alvaro de Luna as Ramon

            Ugo Adinolfi
            
            Jose Riesgo as 2nd Mexican
See full cast