Rating: 
Summary: Great Western from some of the Lonesome Dove folks
Review: A fine mythic Western from writer Bill Witliff and with good performances from Willie Nelson, Gary Busey, George Voskovec, Isela Vega and Gilbert Roland. It's also a good portrayal of 19th century Texas with the German farmers, Mexican ranchers, Anglo rangers, and African Americans.
Rating: 
Summary: A Hidden Gem
Review: A rather unknown western from the early 80s starring Willie Nelson and Garey Busey. Although the plot is within the mainstream of western genres, the film is a great drama with good direction and cinematography. The film also has an excellent soundtrack.
Willie Nelson plays Barbarossa, an ex-Texas Ranger ostracized from relating with his Mexican wife because of a vendetta from his father-in-law. His father-in-law also happens to be the pueblo's chieftain. His hatred for Nelson is so intense that he holds a bounty over his head to which all the young men of the pueblo respond. Nelson is therefore left to be a desperado who can neither be too far or too close from his wife's village. Nelson soon encounters Busey roaming in the desert as an outcast from his own family feud. They join together as desperadoes roaming the Sonoran desert while evading men of the pueblo who seek to carry out their jefe's vendetta.
The acting is excellent and all of the characters are given depth. A very touching story. Definitely worth owning.
Rating: 
Summary: Full screen version of a 2:35 film
Review: Beware. Artisan has only released a full-screen version of this movie. If aspect ratio is important to you, don't buy it.
Rating:
Summary: A personal connection.
Review: I found out about this movie by accident. My wife and I stayed at a bed and breakfast called the "1865 Homestead" in the hill country close to Fredericksburg, Texas. We found out that some of the scenes of the movie were filmed there. After returning to our home in Fort Worth, we found the movie, bought it, and watched it. We really liked it, especially when we saw our bed and breakfast in the opening scenes and close to the end. The first scene is where the coffins are leaning againt the barn and the last scene is where Gary Busey comes back to confront the parents. It was really cool to know we were standing in the same place! Oh yeah, the movie was good too!
Rating:
Summary: Where is The Scene..?
Review: I may be the only person in the Western world that saw the cut of this movie where Gilbert Roland explains to the young killer, Eduardo, the reason that the vendetta is carried on. Don Braulio did, and does, it deliberately, to raise the Zavala family from peonage and give the family purpose. Don Braulio asks Eduardo how he will keep the family motivated when it is his turn to be the head of the family. This is the reason that Eduardo shouts "Barbarosa" at the end, when he KNOWS Barbarosa is dead. The scene takes place in the same room where Don Braulio is first informed that "Barbarosa is dead!" and before they go out to make the announcement to the assembled family. If anybody saw this scene, it would be great for my mental health to know I am not the only one.
Rating:
Summary: Where is The Scene..?
Review: I may be the only person in the Western world that saw the cut of this movie where Gilbert Roland explains to the young killer, Eduardo, the reason that the vendetta is carried on. Don Braulio did, and does, it deliberately, to raise the Zavala family from peonage and give the family purpose. Don Braulio asks Eduardo how he will keep the family motivated when it is his turn to be the head of the family. This is the reason that Eduardo shouts "Barbarosa" at the end, when he KNOWS Barbarosa is dead. The scene takes place in the same room where Don Braulio is first informed that "Barbarosa is dead!" and before they go out to make the announcement to the assembled family. If anybody saw this scene, it would be great for my mental health to know I am not the only one.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT Western - one of the best ever
Review: It was hard for me, as a country music hater, to find any interest in Willie Nelson, but in complete contrast to his music, I think he makes a fantastic character in a western. He can actually act and act very well, portraying a crusty outlaw who serves as the unwilling mentor of a goofy country boy, played by Gary Busey. This movie develops the classic master-apprentice theme and crafts a very exciting, well thought story. This is every bit as good as The Magnificent Seven or The Outlaw Josey Wales. Buy it, you won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Well done little film
Review: Nelson is right on as Barbarosa. Ranks in my top five westerns, mostly because of its honest story and realism. Nelson really does well in this flick.
Rating:
Summary: Obscure Western... Great Movie
Review: Obscure western from the early 80s starring Willie Nelson and Garey Busey. Good drama; great cinematography; excellent soundtrack.Willie Nelson plays Barbarossa, an ex-Texas Ranger kept away from his Mexican wife because of a vendetta from his father-in-law who is also the pueblo's elder chieftain. Nelson soon encounters Busey roaming in the desert as an outcast from his own family feud. They soon join together as desperadoes roaming the Sonoran desert while evading men of the pueblo who seek to carry out their jefe's vendetta. The acting is excellent and all of the characters are given depth. A very touching story. Definitely worth owning.
Rating:
Summary: Superior Western
Review: One of the best unknown Westerns of the last 20 years or so, Barbarosa stars Willie Nelson and Gary Busey in a story of revenge and honor. Nelson plays a ex-Texas Ranger, Barbarosa, who's now a lone bandit, preying on rich Mexicans. During a disagreement, he formerly crippled his father-in-law to be, a Mexican landowner and still deeply loves the landowner's daughter with whom he has had a daughter. Busey is a Texas farmhand who accidentally killed his brother-in-law--his sister's husband--and is now out on his own, pursued by his brother-in-law's two brothers for revenge. Similarly, Barbarosa is being pursued by the landowner's top gun, a fiery Mexican who vows Barbarosa's death. The two, Nelson and Busey, meet by accident and join up for a time. During that time we get to see the West as it very likely really looked about 100 years ago (more specifically, the Southwest--i.e., southern Texas); the cinematography is magnificent. One of the critical ingredients in any great Western is great cinematography and that is very much in display here. As well, the score by Bruce Smeaton is excellent. Nelson and Busey do a great job--their accents certainly don't hurt (both men are originally from that part of the U.S.), and so does the supporting cast. Fred Schepisi, the director, has a perfect sense of pacing and momentum that pulls the viewer along with very little tugging indeed. Armadillos figure in the mix, as do old men with guns and younger men buried up to their necks. There's a hacienda, a cantina, and an outdoor festival. The film drips with Western atmosphere, no question. Highly recommended for fans of the genre.
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