The 5-Man Army
"They're riding to a trainload of Mexican gold... and they don't care how many killings it takes to get there!"
At the behest of local revolutionaries, a mercenary enlists four specialists in various combat styles to help him rob a Mexican Army train carrying $500,000 in gold.
Curator's Take
“A heist movie set on a train. It’s 'Mission: Impossible' in the Wild West. The buildup is slow, focusing on the team dynamics, but the payoff is a spectacular action set piece.”
Why This Movie Is Important
A precursor to the modern ensemble action movie. It gathers a team of specialists for a train robbery, executing a clockwork plot with precision. It is pure, process-driven entertainment that influenced many heist films to come.
Production Details
The 5-Man Army is a 1969 adventure and western film directed by Don Taylor. Originally released in Italy under the title "Un esercito di cinque uomini", the film was produced during the golden era of European westerns. The film features a score composed by Ennio Morricone. Cinematography was handled by Enzo Barboni. The screenplay was written by Dario Argento. The film stars Peter Graves as Dutchman, Bud Spencer as Mesito, and James Daly as Capt. Nicolas Augustus. Running 1 hour and 45 minutes, it is a well-paced entry in the genre. It holds a solid average rating of 6.6 from 58 ratings.
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Did You Know?
It is widely rumored (though never confirmed) that Dario Argento did uncredited rewrites on the script, particularly the tense train sequence which resembles his later Giallo style.
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Deep Analysis
Go deeper into the history and themes of the Italian West.
The Sonic Revolution: Ennio Morricone and the Sound of the Italian West
How a mixture of whistles, electric guitars, and operatic vocals changed cinema forever.
Snow, Silence, and Sadism: The Winter Westerns of Sergio Corbucci
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