Machete
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Kurt Neumann
Mari Blanchard
Albert Dekker
Juano Hernandez
Carlos Rivas
Lee Van Cleef
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Don Luis Montoya, an elderly sugar planter and longtime bachelor, returns from New York to San Juan, Puerto Rico with his enticing young bride Jean, whom he married that morning. They decide to spend their wedding night at a hotel in San Juan before traveling on to Luis' plantation. However, at the hotel's pool, Jean meets an acquaintance from New York, who informs her that some of her old friends are arriving and, concerned that they might reveal her former life as a party girl, Jean asks Luis that they leave immediately for the plantation. Although Jean is fond of Luis, she has married him only for financial security. This is evident to the Montoya household, which includes Carlos, Don Luis' handsome young protégé and manager, whom he has reared since Carlos was orphaned; Bernardo, his majordomo; Bernardo's assistant Rita, who is in love with Carlos; and Miguel, Luis' opportunistic cousin. At a dinner to celebrate the wedding, Miguel drunkenly insults Luis and Jean, causing Carlos to slap him. After Luis and Jean are serenaded by the plantation's workers, Miguel returns with a machete to attack Carlos. When Luis intervenes, Miguel slashes Luis then runs off. Although the wound is not serious, it prevents Luis from consummating the marriage. The workers then capture Miguel and bring him to Carlos, who defeats him in a fistfight. The next morning, Luis banishes Miguel from the plantation. Jean seeks relief from her boredom by turning to Carlos, who shows her around the plantation. Although Jean begins to fall in love with him, Carlos rebuffs her and remains loyal to his sweetheart Rita and benefactor Luis. After Miguel sabotages the processing plant's machines, Luis is forced to rehire him in order to repair the damage. Miguel then arouses Luis' suspicions about Jean's fidelity, and when Luis finds Jean and Carlos in a compromising situation that she has deliberately contrived, he thrashes Carlos with a riding crop. Carlos tells Luis he is innocent, but will leave only after he has worked off his indebtedness to Luis. Luis agrees and demotes Carlos to field laborer, working under Miguel. Still angered, Luis forcibly consummates the marriage later that day. Jean then persuades Carlos to escape with her from the plantation, but Miguel sees them together and reports to Luis, who orders him to shoot Carlos if he attempts to see or help Jean again. Later, Jean agrees to renounce all claims to the Montoya estate, in exchange for Miguel's help in arranging her and Carlos' escape. Miguel double-crosses Jean, however, and informs Luis where she and Carlos can be found. Luis, drunk and enraged, takes his machete, the symbol of his honor, and sets out after the couple. Meanwhile, a controlled burn of the cane fields is underway and Miguel uses the opportunity to trap Luis in an isolated field, then sets it afire. Carlos is about to leave, but seeing Luis' peril, runs into the burning field to help him. Jean runs after him. After dragging Luis to safety, Carlos is attacked by Miguel, whom he kills with Luis' machete. Carlos is unable to save Jean, who perishes in the fire. Luis and Carlos then reconcile and Carlos returns to Rita.
Director
Kurt Neumann
Cast
Mari Blanchard
Albert Dekker
Juano Hernandez
Carlos Rivas
Lee Van Cleef
Ruth Cains
Ulysses Brenes
Richard Verney
Crew
Victor Carrady
Jodie Copelan
Richard Díaz
Henry Hartman
Hector Moll
Kurt Neumann
Kurt Neumann
David Odell
J. Harold Odell
Jack H. Odell
José Raúl Ramírez
Lawrence Rapport
Lydia Rodriquez
Paul Sawtell
Bert Shefter
Karl Struss
Howard Warren
Harold Winston
Carroll Young
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
An opening title card reads: "The Producers wish to express their gratitude to Mr. Eugene Rice, President of the Central Aguirre Sugar Company, and his staff whose cooperation made possible the filming of the picture at Aguirre, Puerto Rico."
