Hello Posse,
I had planned to talk about a different movie today but after the recent passing of Sean Connery, I decided to say a bit about the man and his movies.
Connery was known for being a great talent on the screen and had a reputation for being a somewhat of a misogynist in life. In an interview for Playboy magazine in 1965, and again later in an interview with Barbara Walters in 1987, Connery stated his belief that, at times, it is needed and justifiable to slap a woman. He specified, he would never strike a woman with a closed fist but an open hand, was acceptable.
This interview would be referenced again and again throughout his career. Though Connery seemed to have changed his stance on this in 2006, stating it is wrong to hit a woman. However, he had already set his imagine in the hearts and minds of many fans.
Controversies aside, Connery had a long cinematic history but was best known as Bond . . . James Bond. Playing 007 was Connery's breakthrough role and solidified his career as an A-list actor. He originally did not want to commit to playing the same character for a long series, but he also understood how important the role could be for his career if it was financially successful. Connery appeared as Bond is seven Bond films. The first five Bond films: Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), and You Only Live Twice (1967). After this last film, the role of Bond was passed to Australian actor, George Lazenby for On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). Connery appeared again as Bond in Diamonds Are Forever (1971). After this film, Roger Moore took over as Bond for the next six films until Never Say Never Again (1983) when Connery would take up the mantle of Bond for one final film.
All seven films of Connery's Bond films were commercially successful. His portrayal of Bond has been so well received, the American Film Institute selected Connery's James Bond, as the third-greatest hero in cinema history only behind Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch and Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. He was also later honored with knighthood by The Queen at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh in 2000.
Though Connery is best known as 007, he had a long and varied career as an actor, appearing in everything from dramas to sci-fi. One of my personal favorite films was one of his sci-fi movies, Outland. Connery had just one western, Shalako, in his filmography. I am willing to admit, I have never even heard of it even but I will have to be sure to give it a view sometime soon.
Shalako was released in 1968 and was a British-German western. It starred Sean Connery as Shalako. The film also featured Brigitte Bardot, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, and Honor Blackman. Shalako was directed by Edward Dmytryk and was filmed in London and Spain. The story was based on a novel by Louis L'Amour and was the first in a trilogy of book to film adaptations for L'Amour.
The film takes place in New Mexico in 1880. A group of European aristocrats come to the area to experience the Wild West. A French countess, Irina Lazaar (Bardot), is separated from her group and attacked by Apache warriors. Shalako (Connery) rescues her and is confronted by Apaches as he tries to get her back to her group. Lazaar and Shalako promise the Apache chief that they will get the group to leave Apache land if they let them go. The chief agrees, but his son tells Shalako he will kill one day.
When they get back to the group, Shalako tries to keep his word and get the group to leave, but the leader of the group refuses to go. Shalako decides to go the nearby army fort to get reinforcements to come and remove the group from the Apache land before they incite a conflict with the tribe. As he leaves for the fort, Apaches attack the group.
Shalako returns and finds their local guides have taken their stage coach and left the group stranded. He tries to lead the group out of the area on foot. With Apaches on their trail, the group will have to fight for their survival. In the end, Shalako saves as many lives as possible and rides off into the sunset with the countess by his side.
Movie Snack
Since this film was a German collaboration, I think a typical German movie snack is fitting. This takes us to Sally's Baking Addiction for her Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels (<--- click here for recipe).
I love these big soft pretzels with melted cheese and a bit of mustard.
So now you know what time it is, posse! Grab your snacks and settle in for another great movie!
Enjoy,
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