WINGS OF THE HAWK

 

WINGS OF THE HAWK is a 1953 Western produced by Universal and directed by Budd Boetticher. Set during the Mexican Revolution in the early 20th Century, the movie was originally released in 3-D. I recently watched it for the first time in 2-D, but that didn't matter--it's a rousing fast-paced adventure filled with plenty of impressive stunts. 

The year is 1911. In northern Mexico, American "Irish" Gallagher (Van Heflin) is mining for gold and hoping the troubles that have enveloped the entire country don't wind up affecting him. Local warlord Colonel Ruiz (George Dolenz), however, decides to confiscate Gallagher's mine. The American attempts to oppose this, and his life is saved by a group of revolutionaries. Gallagher joins up with the band, hoping that they can help him get his mine back. He soon starts to take up their cause, especially when he gets to know the tough (and beautiful) rebel leader Raquel (Julie Adams). 

WINGS OF THE HAWK was the last in a series of pictures that Budd Boetticher directed for Universal in the early 1950s (most of these were Westerns). The Westerns that Boetticher made for Universal don't get nearly as much credit or attention as the ones he made with Randolph Scott later in the decade. That's somewhat unfair, as Boetticher's Universal Westerns are entertaining and very well made. WINGS OF THE HAWK may not be "serious" enough for some critics, but it was designed to be enjoyed by a mainstream audience, and that's exactly what it accomplishes. 

Actually the story anticipates several of the spaghetti westerns made in the 1960s and 70s that used the plot device of a mercenary gringo getting involved with the violence and chaos of the Mexican Revolution. WINGS OF THE HAWK isn't anywhere near as hard-edged or explicit as those Euro Westerns, but it does have a few dark moments, such as a group of peasants being executed by Ruiz's men. What makes WINGS OF THE HAWK stand out is its energetic pace. There's all sorts of chases on horseback, fights, gunplay, and a lot of explosions--especially at the climax. All the action is backed by Frank Skinner's sweeping music score. 

Characterization is kept to a minimum in this film, but most of the performers involved manage to bring a little extra to the story. Van Heflin is surprisingly good as a rugged heroic type. Julie Adams plays what is one of the most unusual roles of her film career as the determined Raquel--she even gets to wear bandoliers and a sombrero. I have to say it's hard to believe she's a Mexican revolutionary, even with the major tan makeup and black hairpiece that has been applied to her. (For some reason she sports bright red lipstick throughout the picture.) Adams does well in the role, but I honestly think someone like Katy Jurado would have been much better suited. George Dolenz (father of Monkees band member Mickey) makes the despotic Ruiz into a multi-dimensional character, and Noah Beery Jr. has a cameo as a Mexican bandit-general who really existed (and who isn't Pancho Villa). Abbe Lane plays Julie Adams' sister, who is the mistress of Colonel Ruiz, and she's more miscast than Julie is. 

It would have been nice to see WINGS OF THE HAWK in 3-D, but I think the movie is still effective enough without it. (Apparently Budd Boetticher had no interest in the process.) It's exciting and fun to watch, but it's not mindless--Budd Boetticher always gave every one of his films a few extra ingredients to make it notable.