MANBREASTS

Why didn't Calvera and his gang just stay in town and force the farmers to feed and care for them instead of just dropping in from time to time and loot?

FinkPish

Probably because they were bandits and had better things to do than just sit around. Plus, too many chances that the townsfolk would simply kill them in their sleep.

arminius

You mean why did they not become farmers or are you making a lawn care joke?

Ash Ketchum

No pillage, no plunder, no rape?! Where's the fun in that?

MANBREASTS

I would never do that because I'm part mexican myself, I keep my lawn care at a bare minimum just so I don't live up to a stereotype!

Mr. Salty

Sounds more like a "Seven Samurai" question to me.

Groucho

Okay, first of all this question doesn't seem to relate to the Fincher film at all. Secondly, it's hardly "magnificent".

wm lopez

They rode around and when they were hungry they went to the farmers.

GoldenJCJ

But the OP's question was truly magnificent. I just don't remember that part in Se7en

Meglos

Because then there wouldn't be a movie?

Nick Danger

It takes more than one farming community to support a bandit army. They rotate through many valleys, stealing enough to maintain themselves in comfort, but not enough to drive the farmers into starvation. So they only come visiting once every few years.

The problem is that they tend to harvest 100% of that year's yield, which causes the farmers so much hardship that harvests are down for several years. Also, the bandits have to transport their army to each village. Finally, there is a risk that another bandit army got there first, and cleaned out the farmers. More sophisticated bandits don't bother to bring an army. They send representatives who sell "protection" against other bandit armies, and threaten to send their soldiers only if the farmers don't pay 20%-30% each year in taxes.