| Savage Pampas | |
| Director: | Hugo Fregonese |
| Music: | Waldo de los Ríos |
| Cinematography: | Manuel Berenguer |
| Editing: | Juan Serra |
| Distributor: | Comet Pictures (US) |
| Runtime: | 112 minutes |
| Language: | English |
Savage Pampas is a 1966 American Western film directed by Hugo Fregonese and starring Robert Taylor, Ron Randell and Marc Lawrence.[1] The film was a co-production between Argentina, Spain and the United States, and was a remake of the 1945 Argentine film of the same title which Fregonese had co-directed.[2] [3] The film's location shooting took place in Spain, a popular location for westerns during the era. The film's action is set in the Argentine Pampas around the time of the Conquest of the Desert.
Set during the 1870s, life is hard for soldiers on the outskirts of Argentine control. The pragmatic Captain Martin struggles to retain control over a ragtag Argentine Army, made up of largely conscripted criminals. Joined by Lt. Del Río, who just graduated from the newly created Military Institute of Buenos Aires, Cpt. Martin faces mass desertions due to soldiers refusing to serve at the garrisons for the multi-year military campaign without any women present. Some desperate troops slip off in the night to join the ranks of Padrón, a charismatic bandit who leads an army made up of indigenous fighters and army deserters. Padrón offers women to soldiers who changes sides, and many men have taken notice. Cpt. Martin looks to turn the tables: he gets approval for his new plan of bringing women the men of his garrison.
In 1958 it was announced Stephen Barclay would produce 12 films in Argentina with Mendoza Films and Guaranteed Pictures. They were to include Savage Pampas which was to be produced and directed by Hugo Fregonese.[4] Pampas was based on a true story about an encounter between white settlers and Indians in 1830 Argentina.[5]
The film was not made for another decade.[6]
The film was cut down to approximately 94 minutes in many markets (e.g. Germany).