This is not a great film by any means: Barbara Stanwyck as Raphaelita Maderos a Cuban with no Spanish accent speaking English,happens to work like Jessica Alba as Sue Storm/ in "The Fantastic Four" (Not well at all) it is one of the weakest roles of her career ("Walk On The Wild Side" & "The Man With A Cloak" are her worst). But the main reasons to watch are: 1: It is a rarity and if you are a Stanwyck or Wallace Beery completest, it should not be missed. 2: Beery's Sgt.Dory, is the main highlight of this film, he is excellent. Spoilers ahead: He went from a despicable human being (Selling gunpowder to both the Cubans & Spanish, and being willing to do anything for Whiskey & Gold, to becoming willing to die for Lt. Rowan (John Boles), whose job it was to get the "Message To Garcia" (The Cuban General fighting the Spanish). He knew he was going to die, throughout the final third of the film, but he met himself a friend in Rowan, who he could not allow to die (That is why he cared that Rowan would know he would not sell him out), and he even offered to turn down gold, and just wanted Rowan to send a message to friends back home. 3: The ending of the film where Dory, Garcia and the Cubans rescue Rowan who along with Raphaelita, was captured by the Spanish, and their Agent Dr. Ivan Krug (A really nasty Alan Hale performance (Krug was a mercenary and sadistic person who enjoyed torture)). Dory is killed by Krug, and Rowan kills Krug, and as he dies, Dory gives Rowan the only thing of value he has, a Gold Watch given to him by Garcia. Although Dory said that to Rowan, he had one more thing for Rowan... His friendship, and that is why he died, saving his friend. Beery is the main reason to watch.
Review of A Message to Garcia
