Some seem to regard this film as a put-on, or a subtle story of repressed homosexuality, or what-you-will. I was more impressed by the story of a battle of wills between a determined priest and an equally determined and wily "bad man" (El Malo) boss in a remote Mexican village. "El Malo", or "Anacleto", dominates and exploits the village through fear. When crossed, he orders his minions to kill, but always in such a way as to make it look accidental. The police are not powerless, but without evidence they cannot act. The old priest has been reduced to a lump of terrified jelly, but the new one, "Father Keogh", is made of sterner stuff. Right away, though, his task is complicated by two factors. Å young girl, "Locha", shows signs of infatuation with the new ;priest, and "Anacleto" against his better judgement, begins to like the priest. Maybe this is where the homosexual element, if any, comes in. This is not an unmixed blessing, for the priest becomes obsessed with saving the soul of "Anacleto" more than with contesting his rule of the village. "Anacleto" is a complete apostate, who has been taught to hate the church from youth. During Mexico's various revolutions of the early 20th century hatred of the church was often a central motivation and indeed the rule of the Çatholic Çhurch in Mexico was mostly broken. Priests and Nuns were not allowed to wear traditional habit in public for many years.
In the end, "Father Keogh" must choose between the welfare of the village and his goal of bringing "Anacleto" back to the Çhurch. When "Locha" is more or less kidnapped by "Anacleto", as a plot to force the priest into ceasing his "warfare" against him, "Father Keogh" promises to "speak to the congregation" favourably about "Anacleto" in return for his releasing "Locha". It's a bit more complicated than that, for "Locha" declares her love for the priest openly, and he admits that he loves her as well. When "Anacleto" comes to the church expecting the favourable sermon, "Father Keogh" instead denounces him and brings in the police to arrest him. A gun battle ensues, during which both "Father Keogh" and "Anacleto" are killed. The dying priest kneeling without sight or hearing over the dying "Anacleto" implores him to an "act of contrition", and to press the priest's hand if he is doing so. "Anacleto" does press his hand, but murmurs, "It's the singer, not the song".
It's powerful stuff and powerfully acted by Sir Dirk and Sir John. Mylene Demongeot makes an impression as the youthful and mixed-up kid "Locha". The rest of the cast are equally up to the mark. Most of the Mexicans are played by non-Latino actors, but there are at least a couple of Latinos on hand. "Old Uncle", one of the most vicious adherents to "Anacleto", is played by Laurence Naismith very effectively, even though not a Latino. There is a furious hand to hand fight and gun battle, in which a drunken "Old Uncle" tries to shoot the priest, but is shot himself by "Anacleto" to prevent the killing. I said it was a complicated affair, didn't I. This event, though, was important to the story, for it gave the police the opportunity to drive "Anacleto" from the village temporarily. It's well produced and exciting throughout. How some critics could call it "plodding" escapes me entirely. And if you persist in seeing hidden meanings and nuances, that's just so much lagniappe!
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