EDITOR’S NOTE: As the journey through Cannon continues, this week we’re exploring the films of 21st Century Film Corporation, which would be the company that Menahem Golan would take over after Cannon. Formed by Tom Ward and Art Schweitzer in 1971 (or 1976, there are some disputed expert opinions), 21st Century had a great logo and released some wild stuff.

Robert Conrad co-wrote and co-directed this movie with director Alfredo Zacarías (Demonoid) and writer Edward Di Lorenzo (Lady Frankenstein). Yes, that’s an odd group to make a movie, but Conrad had already been to Mexico once before to make a musical with Zacarías, Ven a cantar conmigo (Come, Sing With Me).

Chris Barrett (Conrad), Josh Racker (Roy Jenson) and Taye Brown (Jan-Michael Vincent, making his movie debut) are set to hang in Texas when they’re rescued by a Mexican rancher named Valdez (Manuel López Ochoa). He wants them to help him find gold that belongs to France in the middle of his country finally fighting back against their rulers.

What emerges is a movie that wants to be an Italian Western made by Americans and Mexicans. It was released in Italy as Non c’è scampo per chi tradiscei (There Is No Escape for Those Who Cheat) which pretty much gives away the shock ending, as — spoiler — Conrad gets blown away, Vincent does too before Roy Jenson says “Goodbye, Mexicans” before they all get shoved out a window with nooses around their necks. All because they had a moment of weakness and allowed a French general to survive.

Shot in Mexico in 1966 during a hiatus from star Conrad’s series The Wild Wild West, The Bandits used a lot of the crew from that program, including cinematographer Ted Voigtlander (who also shot The Changeling), co-editor Grant K. Smith, producers James M. George and Harry Harvey Jr., and stunt director Whitey Hughes. It would go unreleased until 1979 when Lone Star Films got it into theaters in 1979. It was also re-released by Flora Releasing and 21st Century.

You can watch this on the Cave of Forgotten Films.