An unusual, enjoyable story with a lot of talent in front of and behind the camera, 1971's RED SUN is a dusty, global twist on a spaghetti western.
Charles Bronson is late 1800's outlaw Link, who opens the film by robbing a train with his French partner Gauche, played for suave fun by Alain Delon.
Going train car to train car, they encounter the Japanese ambassador to the US, who is on his way to deliver a priceless gold samurai sword to The President of the US.
Crosses and double crosses abound as thieves turn on thieves, the loyal bodyguard of the Ambassador played by the legendary Toshiro Mifune swears to recover the sword in seven days and strange allegiances are formed.
To spoil the twists would be a crime. Ursula Andress (Dr. No) is in gorgeous form as Gauche's girlfriend Cristina. Fellow Dr.No star Anthony Dawson is bad guy Hyatt and the director of that first Bond film Terence Young crafts this film with a near perfect retro blend of comedy, action, violence and star power.
Charles Bronson shows surprising humor throughout, especially as he matches wits with Mifune in a culture clash for the ages. His lame attempts to ditch Mifune on their quest across the west are hilarious and provide great comic relief.
Famed director John Huston (Prizzi's Honor, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre) considered this one of the three best western films ever made. I think that's a hell of an overstatement, but it is surprisingly well told and a hell of a lot of fun.
As the tag line says, it's the 'first East Meets West Western!". Can't say it better than that.
RED SUN is old fashioned, seventies action fun and gets a B.
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