Story/Script
This it’s one of the classic spags that I’ve not seen, and I sure waste a lot of time not seeing it, really a great film. In comparison with classical western, SW always one great advantage, while the classical ones had to deal with their own history and myths, which depending on directors (not everyone it’s a Houston or a Ford) it’s always something of a burden, SW being mostly done by Europeans directors didn’t have those restrains, they could create their own world and myths. The west was surely nothing like it’s presented in Une Cord , Un Colt, but that’s the beauty of things.
This film it’s all about atmosphere and style, a revenge story taken to the limits of despair, not just desperate nonsensical hate, not pure desire for revenge, but only despair and sadness, it couldn’t be more simply, and the dialogues in a film that depends so much on image, are well placed, and expose the story that we didn’t know or could only guessed, everything it’s said in the go-betweens, until the final climax. Oh the man has a name in this one, Manuel.
Actors
All the secondary cast was SW accustomed and go along in style, being habitués to this type of films, of course we have to talk of Hossein and Mercier, who had the most demanding roles, and while Hossein find the right perfect expression for the all film, Mercier gives a very good performance not usual for feminine actress in SW, she didn’t look nothing at all like the girl from the Angelique series I used to see (a role that typecast her for the entire carrier). Robert anyway always was a discreet but reliable actor.
Director/Cinematography
I Know his work as an actor seen many film with him, but not so much familiarized with his director’s work, remember seeing somewhere in the past a film that only later I found out he directed Le vampire de Dusseldorf which in a way was kind of a homage film like this one . He talks about Leone that the film it’s a tribute to him, and even if Once upon in the West (I hate those abbreviations, words were made to written and to be spoken) comes to mind, the great influence in my opinion are the film noir the French Police movies (French Noir sounds awkward) , that he use to act so often. The photography work all so quite good with some nice long shots, almost oppressing the viewer.
Conclusion
Very good SW with a unique feeling, if you want to pay a homage to Leone, you have to come out with something really good.
Real desperation, real sadness, brutal ending no future only the past and death, une corde un colt.
Have also to mention the soundtrack with a Scot Walker theme (or a Walker Brothers one), and the Spanish Guitar themes that tags along with film spirit, in a perfect communion.
Great SW, and above all great film.
