Watch The Wonderful Country

The Wonderful Country is a 1959 Western film that tells the story of Martin Brady, a Mexican-American gunfighter who is living in Mexico under the protection of the governor. The film stars Robert Mitchum in the lead role, along with Julie London and Gary Merrill. The movie begins with Martin Brady fleeing across the Mexican border to escape punishment for killing a man in self-defense. After being discovered by the governor's soldiers, he is taken to the governor's office, where he is offered protection in exchange for his service as an assassin for the governor.

Martin accepts the offer and becomes the governor's personal gunfighter. He carries out various assassination missions for the governor, gaining a reputation as one of the best gunmen in Mexico. However, he soon becomes disillusioned with the governor's corrupt ways and decides to leave his employ.

Martin then decides to return to his hometown of El Paso, Texas, where he hopes to start a new life. However, upon his arrival, he is quickly embroiled in a dispute between two powerful landowners, Nell and Skipper. Nell, played by Julie London, is the widow of the man Martin killed in self-defense, while Skipper, played by Gary Merrill, is a wealthy cattleman who is trying to expand his land holdings.

Martin soon finds himself torn between his loyalty to Nell, who saved his life when he was wounded, and his desire to remain neutral in the conflict. As tensions rise between Nell and Skipper, Martin finds himself drawn deeper into the conflict, leading to a dramatic climax in which he must choose between his own freedom and the safety of the woman he loves.

The Wonderful Country is a classic Western film that is notable for its strong performances, engaging storyline, and stunning cinematography. Robert Mitchum is excellent in the lead role, bringing a sense of depth and complexity to his character that is rarely seen in Western films. Julie London and Gary Merrill also deliver solid performances as the conflicted landowners, adding to the film's sense of tension and drama.

What sets The Wonderful Country apart from other Westerns of its era is its nuanced portrayal of Mexican-American culture and its exploration of themes of identity, loyalty, and belonging. Martin Brady's status as a Mexican-American gunfighter who is caught between two worlds adds a level of complexity to the film that is often missing in traditional Westerns.

Overall, The Wonderful Country is a must-see film for fans of the Western genre, offering a fresh perspective on familiar themes and delivering a powerful and engaging story that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

The Wonderful Country is a 1959 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.