One of Robert Aldrich's best films and arguably his most enjoyable, "Vera Cruz" isn't quite a western, (it's set in Mexico during the conflict between Emperor Maximilian and the Juaristas), but it has enough western tropes, as well as Gary Cooper, to satisfy any fan of the genre. Cooper and Burt Lancaster are mercenaries there to fight for the Emperor since his side pays the most only finally to come around to the side of the rebels.
George Macready is Maximilian, Cesar Romero, his right-hand man the Marquis and Denise Darcel, the flighty Countess Cooper and Lancaster are hired to escort to Vera Cruz along with three million in gold coin which they plan on stealing with the Countess' help. To call this film 'action-packed' would be something of an understatement as there is something happening every minute. It's also got an excellent Roland Kibbee/James R. Webb script from a story by Borden Chase and a supporting cast that includes Ernest Borgnine, Jack Elam, Charles Bronson and Henry Brandon. You might even call it a classic of its kind.
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