"The Professionals" An arid western set against the backdrop of the Mexican revolution

An arid western set against the backdrop of the Mexican revolution with magnificent locations that help to show the difficulties of the mission.

In a way, "The Professionals", thanks to its double itinerary scheme, presents an adventure as a salaryman's job, which, as we see, will progressively transform into an exercise of redemption, since there are things that cannot be bought with money.

The plot is reminiscent of other films of incursions on Mexican soil for hire, such as the previous "Veracruz" or the later "Grupo salvaje".

Far from the antagonisms typical of most itinerary westerns, in which the members of the same group confront each other until their union dissolves, Brooks' film follows a model closer to Howard Hawks, dividing the functions of each one, showing the four as a team with mutual respect and integrity.

It is worth mentioning the excellent photography by Conrad Hall in scope. There is no doubt that with the excellent cast, all the characters are very well described, through this journey and the events that ensue, but in my opinion, the scenarios describe the epic, such as the gorge of Coyote Pass, recreate a unique confrontation with dialogues between Raza (Jack Palance) and Dolworth (Burt Lancaster) ambushed among the rocks, discussing life and death, with philosophical resonances: "The revolution is not a goddess but a slut, she has never been pure or virtuous, nor perfect", Jesús Raza, Pancho Villa's lieutenant.

A film of astonishing physicality and verism, what was then called a Superwestern. Where the marginal beings reach exceptional relevance, hardened in lost causes and alien to evolution as soon as this one, defrauds and prostitutes the altruistic ideas. Words like: Honor, dignity or solidarity ethics, are denigrated by the new times.

It received three Oscar nominations: Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography.