Hannie Caulder

Hannie Caulder-720P

Hannie Caulder-720P

Hannie Caulder-480P

Hannie Caulder-480P

Hannie Caulder-360P

source: Hannie Caulder

Trailer—Hannie Caulder

Hannie Caulder

HANNIE CAULDER is a real find. That it's well-made is not really surprising considering it's directed by the very efficient Burt Kennedy. What is surprising is that it's cast would lead you to believe there's a camp classic awaiting. Raquel Welch is Hannie, seeking revenge on the three creepy hooligans who've beaten her, raped her and left her for dead. Welch gives a terrific and spirited performance and she's helped out a lot by a first-rate supporting cast. Ernest Borgnine, Jack Elam, and Strother Martin are the villains and Robert Culp is Hannie's reluctant savior/mentor. The film is full of odd touches and some of the killings are quite cleverly executed. The bizarre cast also includes Christopher Lee and Diana Dors, who plays a sympathetic madam.

Is this Raquel Welch's finest hour? Perhaps. She shows good depth and emotion here. She also elicits sympathy and you cheer for her when her revenge is complete, although it's tempered with sadness because the new man she loves (Culp) is dead and with her only in spirit. Burt Kennedy filled this movie with tons of humor, courtesy of the Terrible Trio: Strother Martin, Ernie Borgnine and Jack Elam. As strange as this sounds, no account good for nothing,Strother Martin is a riot! Chris Lee does a nifty character turn as a gunsmith, but it's Culp's cool professionalism along with Welch that drives this solid, entertaining Spaghetti-patterned western, which was produced by her then-husband Pat Curtis and England' Tony Tensor of horror factory, Tigon Films. My friend Cindy and I saw it at the drive-in three times the week it came out.