Charro! (1969)

[Albert]

CHARRO!

Theatrical-Release: 1969
Studio: National General Pictures
Director: Charles Marquis Warren
Producer: Charles Marquis Warren
Film Length: 98 mins
Colour/B&W: Colour


Cast:

Jesse Wade - Elvis Presley
Tracey - Ina Balin
Vince - Victor French
Sara - Barbara Werle
Billy Roy - Solomon Sturges
Marcy - Lynn Kellogg
Gunner - James Sikking (starred in "Hill Street Blues" in later years)

Story:

Elvis rides into a small Mexican town and is met by four gunmen, all members of the gang Elvis used to ride with.
Victor French hates Elvis for having left the gang and want to set an example for the others. He decides to frame Elvis for stealing a valuable gold and bronze victory cannon belonging to the Mexican government and worth 100.000 dollars.

The gang brands Elvis, takes his horse and gun and they leave him for the Mexican Army to find, while they take the cannon to the nearest safe town.
Elvis captures a wild horse and rides after them.

When the sheriff of the town where Elvis' girlfriend Ina Balin lives, gets shot, Elvis becomes the new sheriff. He locks the man (Solomon Sturges) who killed the sheriff in the jail.
After Victor French learns what happened he demands the release of Sturges (his kid brother) or will shoot up the town with the cannon.

The people are frightened and want Elvis to release the killer, but Elvis refuses. When the cannon starts demolishing the town, Elvis takes the boy to the gang.
There is a shoot-out and the cannon accidentally rolls over Sturges, after which French and the gang surrender to Elvis.

Elvis gets the cannon and the gang and heads for Mexico to clear his name and start a new life with Ina Balin.


Behind The Scenes:

The working title for Charro! was: "Come Hell, Come Sundown".

Filming began on July 22, 1968 near Apache Junction, Arizona. Other scenes were shot around the Superstition Mountains.

This was the first movie which features Elvis with a beard, and the first not to include Elvis performing a song, except for over the opening credits.


Songs:

Charro!

Movie Trailer:

[ame="http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=IjkhU4dIHRQ"]YouTube - Charro! (1969) Trailer[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjNbvUET3qs&feature=related"]YouTube - Charro! (1969) - Saloon Shootout[/ame] (clip from the movie)


Related Links:

Pictures: www.tcb-world.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=80&userid=

[elvis1970nl]

This is my favorite movie. I know there are no songs at all, but I personally think this was his best work in the 60's

[Jungleroom76]

I personally enjoyed this movie!! Before I saw it for the first time, I was a bit skeptical of it because it was a western (which I am not a huge fan of) and because he didn't sing any songs in it (which, considering it's a serious movie, is certainly understandable!).

While not a movie I watch often, when I do watch it, I am always amazed at how good of an actor Elvis was, considering the scripts he had to work with!!

TCB!
Mike

[NightRider]

I enjoy Charro too....decent enough film.

I recall reading somewhere ( can't remeber where now ) that Elvis was disgusted at the way the script for Charro changed. Some of the scenes were re-written because they weren't happy at the amount of violence.....and Elvis' character in general.......
Elvis wanted to keep it as it was originally....and was most annoyed that it was changed into a 'lighter' western than was intended.

Has anyone else heard this.....i'm going to see if i can find where i read it

[Jungleroom76]

I hadn't heard that Night Rider!!

I would definitely be interested to read more on that, if you are able to find that information!!

TCB!
Mike

[NightRider]

I hadn't heard that Night Rider!!

I would definitely be interested to read more on that, if you are able to find that information!!

TCB!
Mike

Its some time ago when i read it Mike....haven't been able to find it as yet...but i am working on it I know i have read it somewhere

[Jungleroom76]

THANKS NIGHT RIDER!!!

I hope you find that article....sounds like it would be very interesting to read!

TCB!
Mike

[JerryNodak]

This could have been a great film IF they would have hired a really good director AND if they hadn't toned down the violence and edited out a mild nude scene to acheive a "G" rating. Still, I enjoy the film because it isn't more of the same old thing.

[P.S. Annie]

Haven't seen this one yet It will be out on dvd this January so cant wait to buy this one.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I bought a copy of this from a well known supermarket on-line and was quite frankly dissapointed with the quality. never the less a great film much more gritty than the run of the mill crap Elvis was given to work with.

Matt

[Elvisgirl]

i love charro!!!!

[MysteryTrain]

i love charro!!!!

I agree with you. It`s one of the Elvis movies i really enjoy. It`s a different Elvis, more serious. I remember as a kid i always wanted to grow Charro beard.

[LeMond]

I think it's the best movie he did. I wish he had done more movies like this. Although Change of Habit is pretty good too.

[P.S. Annie]

I think it's the best movie he did. I wish he had done more movies like this. Although Change of Habit is pretty good too.

Wish I could have seen it, still not out on dvd

[Steve]

Wish I could have seen it, still not out on dvd

Same here Annie this is the only Elvis movie I dident see...

I want this on DVD!!!!!!!!!!

[LeMond]

It is out on dvd actually.
It has been released in the US by Westlake Entertainment Group (or something like that) and in the UK by a company called MIA (Missing In Action).
Although I do not own the UK edition I have been told that it is in very poor quality. The US dvd is slightly better.

[LeMond]

By the way, before these dvd's came out I had a videotape of Charro that was released in the US by Warner Home Video and had much better picture and sound quality than the dvd's mentioned in my previous post.
It's a pity that Warner Bros. isn't interested in releasing this movie at the moment. I think it would make a great addition to their other Elvis dvd's.

[Steve]

the only version I now is a dvd version from Denmark, but the qualitie is sooo poor I dident buy it

[P.S. Annie]

Yep I know about the crappy DVD so I wait for the good one, whenever it will be released.....

[elvis fan 1976]

I think Elvis looked very good with a beard.