Watch A Town Called Hell

A Town Called Hell is a classic Western movie released in 1971, directed by Robert Parrish, and starring a star-studded cast that includes Telly Savalas, Robert Shaw, and Stella Stevens. The movie follows a group of outlaws who invade the peaceful town of San Carlos and take its inhabitants hostage. The outlaws demand the release of their leader, Aguila, who has been captured by the Mexican government, in exchange for the release of the hostages.

The town's mayor, Brandt (played by Savalas), is a former Confederate officer who knows Aguila personally and travels to Mexico to negotiate with the government for Aguila's release. However, after securing his release, Brandt is ambushed by Aguila's men and taken hostage.

Meanwhile, a group of American Indians, led by a fierce warrior named Zebulon (played by Shaw), also arrives in San Carlos seeking revenge on Aguila for the death of their people. Zebulon allies himself with the local sheriff (played by Michael Craig) and a beautiful widow (played by Stevens), who has her own reasons for seeking Aguila's death.

As tensions rise between the captors and the captives, and alliances are forged and broken, the situation in San Carlos becomes increasingly explosive. The town becomes a powder keg, waiting for a spark to set it off.

A Town Called Hell is a gripping Western that defies the genre's cliches. It's a movie that examines the motivations of its characters and presents them as complex individuals rather than archetypes. The movie subverts the standard Western tropes, with characters that are both hero and villain, and with no clear-cut moral compass.

The movie is also notable for its impressive action sequences. The gunfights are choreographed with flair and skill, and the explosions are spectacular. However, the movie is not just a mindless action extravaganza. It provides a commentary on the futility and senselessness of violence.

The star-studded cast delivers riveting performances. Telly Savalas, known for his portrayal of Kojak, brings gravitas to his role as Mayor Brandt. Robert Shaw, who had gained critical acclaim for his role in "A Man for All Seasons," is superb as the vengeful Zebulon. Stella Stevens plays a widow who is both seductive and deadly, and Michael Craig brings his considerable talents to the role of the conflicted sheriff.

The movie's score, composed by Waldo de los Rios, is also outstanding. It perfectly complements the action on screen and enhances the movie's emotional beats.

Overall, A Town Called Hell is a Western that delivers the goods. It's a highly engaging movie that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. It's a movie that presents its characters with depth and nuance and examines themes that are still relevant today. It's a classic of the genre that deserves to be seen by fans of Westerns and action movies alike.

A Town Called Hell is a 1971 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.