Tockinit not horrible nor great

Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Brennan Camacho Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

kclibraryguy As I understand it, this story was based on an actual bandit from California in the 1840s. That said, for contemporary audiences, this film would likely have recalled the Robin Hood story (the title does refer to Joaquin Murrierta as "the Robin Hood" of El Dorado, i.e. California). And many would have seen the silent Robin Hood and Zorro films which featured Douglas Fairbanks as the title heroes. But where Zorro was set in California while it was still under Spanish control, and where the idea that a noble hacienda-do could take on the corrupt Spanish government and win, here we have a story set after the Mexican War, where California was under the control of the United States, and where despite his ill treatment at the hands of ignorant gold rushers, his attack on the United States as a bandit could not be tolerated (or allowed to go unpunished), and so you have a much more tragic tale than the pop corn heroism of Zorro or Robin Hood. That makes for a very interesting film. It must be noted that there are some errors (the type of weaponry is all wrong for the time). But even this early in his career, William Wellman shows himself to be a capable director, and the acting, overall, is pretty good.

ctomvelu1 A suave (if too old) Warner Baxter plays legendary bandit Joaquin Murieta in this creaky Western, set in 1848 California just after Mexico ceded California to the U.S. and gold fever swept the land. Murieta, a simple farmer at the time, loses his wife to land-grabbing Americans and he exacts revenge upon them, making him a wanted man. Later, his brother is killed by another gang of Mexican-hating Americans, and he joins forces with a notorious bandit (Naish) to fight the gringos. Beautifully written, although watching men constantly riding horses at a full gallop gets tired very quickly. Also, the film has way too many long shots, making it hard to follow the action at times. It's almost like a silent movie, although this was shot in the mid-1930s. Five years later came "The Mark of Zorro" with Tyrone Power and which tells a similar tale of revenge and banditry in old California. But "Mark" is a far smoother production and stands as a masterpiece. "El Dorado" looks like a dinosaur by comparison, and is to be viewed for historical purposes.

katstevail Does anyone know where I could purchase this title? I have someone very dear to me having a birthday this April and would love to surprise him. He talks about listening to this when going to bed at night as a child. It brings fond memories of his departed mother. I've searched just about every avenue I could think of but as of this writing, I have came up with nothing. The version he talked about is narrated by Lorne Green. I could find it under this name but i can't find where to purchase it. Juaquim Murietta is the story's main character and it was from 1936. Lorne Green narrated it in the late '60s or '70s (not sure). Any help or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

jalojyysto Really forgotten masterpiece! (Small spoilers included)It looks like just another B Western but it's something more significant than you would assume. When did you see another Western with a Mexican as a hero or without happy ending (from 1936)?Great casting (especially Warner Baxter & Margo) and directing by William A. WellmanMy rate: 9/10