Gold lust and gunfire erupt as convicts and Apaches lay siege to a desert fortress.
EL CONDOR
You can get killed trying to break through the walls of El Condor...but it's one helluva way to die!
Luke, an escaped convict, and Jaroo, a loner gold prospector, team up with a band of Apache Indians in 19th century Mexico to capture a large, heavily armed fortress for the millions -- or billions -- of dollars in gold that are rumored to be stored within. Written by Brian C. Madsen
Quick Answer
El Condor is a 1970 Spanish-American action-adventure western directed by John Guillermin about an escaped convict and a gold prospector teaming up with Apache warriors to seize a legendary desert fortress rumored to hold Emperor Maximilian's gold.
Programmer's Pick
El Condor doesn’t just serve up the standard gold-fevered western—think convicts on the lam, a desert fortress, and an Apache army thrown in for good measure. John Guillermin makes sure the bullets and banter fly as greed and survival clash in the sand.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Why This Matters
Shot in Almería, Spain, El Condor featured a massive adobe fortress set later reused in films like Conan the Barbarian, and was among the first movies to receive an R rating for its violence, language, and nudity.
Cast & Crew
View all →
Why Cult
The film centers on the audacious assault of a mythic desert fortress, blending classic western action with a siege-heist setup.
Luke and Jaroo team up with a battalion of Apache warriors, adding a unique twist to the usual outlaw dynamic.
Driven by the lure of Emperor Maximilian’s gold, the film explores what happens when fortune seekers clash over a legendary prize.
With its R rating and bold content, El Condor reflects the wild, boundary-pushing spirit of 1970s action cinema.
Scene Gallery
Questions from the Vault
When was El Condor released? +
El Condor was released in 1970.
Who directed El Condor? +
El Condor was directed by John Guillermin.
How long is El Condor? +
El Condor has a runtime of 102 minutes.
What genre is El Condor? +
El Condor is an action, adventure, drama, and western film.
Trailers & Clips
