Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia – Review

Soft strumming of strings leads a picturesque opening on a small serene lake, complete with ducks. Therese lies in the sun, running her hand over her belly. She is informed that her father is coming and wants to see her.

As she is ushered inside by her father’s men, she sees there are many there to witness whatever this event is. Her father El Jefe (Fernández) finally questions her, demanding to know about the father of her child. She does not respond. After a bit of ugly coercion, she spews out a name while sobbing… Alfredo Garcia! That is enough. Alfredo was like a son to her father, but now… a million dollars lies on his head. The dominos are set.

As chaos begins, new characters are introduced. The scent of money is in the air, with hints of revenge. As Bennie (Oates) sings Guantanamera in a bar, two suited men Fred Dobbs (Young) and Sappensly (Webber) come in asking the staff about Alfredo and flashing his picture. No one there knows shit. The men are offered a free drink on the house by Bennie. They request a song and take some shots, but deny the local working girl advances. A quick elbow to the face will keep the hookers away, I guess.

Bennie informs the men that he’s been there 6 years or so, and eventually the men ask again about Alfredo. Their old buddy. A close chum. Quite a ladies’ man, too. Bennie is stumped though, or so he says. But… now information is spreading. The barkeep tells Bennie it’s probably been a week since Garcia was there, and he’s staying with Elita (Vega).

So, Bennie is now on the case too, whatever it may be. He knows something is up, so he goes and offers his girl Elita, or so he thought she was his girl, a quick punch to the face. But what info does she have? And what does it all mean? Many wheels are in motion and lots of bad guys are out to settle up for a bounty. Dead or alive, the head is going to make someone rich.

I am somewhat hit or miss with Peckinpah films. This one I do like, but it retains a mean edge which some of his films contain. It is a good story with unscrupulous characters all scrambling for a big payday. Things may go somewhat as expected with these elements, but it is a bit of a wild time. Most characters are mildly sympathetic at best, but it is a competently done crime thriller all around with its rough hidden edge. Let the dominos fall as they may.