So I reached out to them and got a reply. To their knowledge they release an uncut version, and even got HD elements from Paramount to do so (some parts seem to be inferior but that’s a small price to pay I guess, if it is just a few minutes of footage that have inferior quality). I am told the UK theatrical version passed BBFC with cuts, whereas later home video releases passed uncut. And this is the 86mins, maybe the 96min is a matter of frame rate or pal-ntsc difference etc? Apparently there is a pirated Spanish version somewhere but it is unclear whether that one is really containing more footage despite saying it runs 107mins…
107 mins is the running time of an English language print, listed as a ‘Web Rip’, by a certain tracker … so maybe it came from Amazon Prime or some equivalent source.
I got some additional info: there seems to be a longer US version indeed at Paramount. Aside from just extended shots and whatnot there is apparently a scene of folks shooting at Jesus that is also missing from the UK version.
I can organize a review copy for someone UK based on the condition of writing a fully fledged review of the disc for the SWDb, any takers, please PM me with a shipping address.
@The_Man_With_a_Name has returned from his mission with a review of the film and this disc release
https://www.spaghetti-western.net/index.php/Charley_One-Eye_BluRay_review
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Thanks for your excellent review. There were quite a few decent British westerns made at the time: this, Shalako, A Town Called Hell, Chato’s Land, Hannie Caulder, Catlow, Captain Apache, Pancho Villa. However, Shalako should have been so much better than what it actually thanks was.
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The main problem with Shalako is the ending, which is completely different from the book. I have to agree with Alex Cox’s comments towards the end but I still like the film. It was one of a handful of westerns that I had watched on TV during my early childhood and that always creates a soft spot. The ending of the film implies that the filmmakers wanted to make Shalako a family film but the final product ended up being extremely violent.
Also, the style of the film is a problem. Dmytryk can’t make up his mind whether he is trying to make a spaghetti or a traditional western. This needed an Italian or Spanish director. However, the landscape photography is good and Connery makes a very convincing cowboy.
I never got that impression since it is very much a traditional western without any spaghetti elements. None of the British-produced westerns feel like spaghettis. ‘Charley One-Eye’ is a typical 70s western. The Americans favoured downbeat westerns during this period while the Italians became more and more upbeat.
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Yes, all these British westerns follow in their style the US productions, no wonder most were shot by US directors.
Actually, apart from Chato’s Land, I don’t care for the ones mentioned above, they are all mediocre or worse.
Very spot on observation.
I like them a lot. I’d say The Hunting Party is an exceptional film and Eagle’s Wing is extremely underrated, a beautiful piece of cinema in my opinion.
Ohh, I forgot to write that I only meant the ones named in the post by the Dakota Man, of these I only like Chato’s Land (Winner’s best film?).
Yes, The Hunting Party is also a good one, but Eagles’s Wing is one which I never managed to catch. I keep it in mind, or if someone here uploads me a mp4 or avi or mkv copy I promise to watch it soon.
I forgot to mention A Man Called Noon, which has an unforgettable score by Luis Enrique Bacalov, but perhaps our discussion is more suited to this topic - Spaghetti Imitations (USA/UK spaghettiesque western) - #12 by autephex
Only watched it twice and remember enjoying it but it’s been a long time.
Never saw this one but it looks interesting. I imagine it borrowed the name Charley from Fred Williamson’s character:
Just a warning, the above movie title contains a racial slur.
Williamson also appeared in a spaghetti western. Take a Hard Ride, which was filmed in the Canary Islands.
As you haven’t seen the movie, ‘Charley’, in this case is the name of a pet chicken … neither of the main characters are named as such.
I watched this movie for the first time recently. I nearly gave up watching it when the 2 characters started fighting over a chicken (Charley) but I made it to the end. 2/5 rating.
It’s not everyone’s cuppa tea, but I liked it … Maybe that has more to do with the use of familiar locations, but probably not … if the story bored me then I’d have to switch off also.
I found it intriguing that the ‘Black man’, who has experienced prejudice and hatred within society, picks on and generally bullies and humiliates the Indian who is also a cripple and lower to him from the perspective of the “civilised world” … This maybe too simple an exercise for some viewers, but I thought it was interesting … It’s barely a western, more a character study which happens to be set in this time period and locale.
If you’re expecting loads of action and iconic set pieces you may be disappointed.
Well put - it was the relationship that redeemed the movie in the end!