Rio Hondo

This film could be truly a real crap for any movie buff. If you are a Star Trek or Shatner fan, it is a must see. Very memorable. I have this one on tape because it was aired on cable a few weeks back. I love to screen this film and talk about it to my science fiction fans. It should be screened more for it's memorable acting and writing. A real curiosity to most who have seen it. This submitting form says I have to say more about this film which is difficult because I don't want to be taking a side about Mr. Shatner's film work here. I found this film to be a hoot. Any more to say about this film should be left out until you get a chance to view this cinema effort of Bill Shatner's. I am sure he doesn't mind this film escaping into the public's viewing time.

Mixed race people don't look like whites with a little paint and a feather. They look like Benjamin Bratt, who is half Quechua and half German. Or Jason Momoa, half Hawaiian and half German. Here they don't even bother with the usual horsehair wig and makeup that looks like mud. Shatner's skin is almost glow in the dark. As others note, this is Plan Nine bad on every level. Bad writing, bad acting, makes no sense. Entertaining because it's fun to laugh at.

Hilariously bad western with Shatner playing the dual "good twin/bad twin" roles. This was made in Spain during his Star Trek years (hey, it seemed to have worked for Eastwood before him!). The incomprehensible back story winds up with a gun battle between fractious factions in the town of Rio Hondo (does anyone know what they're fighting about?). It also supports some other characters running around trying to hang innocent people. But the main clash is between the two twins which proceeds to a mano-a-mano finale in which Shatner gets to bare both his chests. I personally found his characteristic staccato delivery perfect for the Comanche twin Notah (speaking sterotypically of course). And for Star Trek fans - only one of him gets the girl! The film also suffers from a jazz influenced musical score, but, hey, that's the least of its problems.