I watched this for the “woovember 7” action film challenge on letterboxd and found it to be one hell of a grim little 1970s western movie! It’s more or less Bronson’s “Rambo first blood” in the old west!
Takes a bit to get going but once it does its pretty satisfying!
I thought it was excellent. Really like how the movie mostly follows the perspective of the hunters chasing Chato. Makes the whole story a lot more intimidating.
The writer Gerald Walker intended for it to be an allegory on the Vietnam War, but the subtleties were lost on Winner, who resorted to his usual overuse of violence and zoom shots. Actually, the use of the Spanish landscapes and the performances are quite good, but the film should have been so much better. Walker would have done a better job of directing it himself.
Actually the allegory still works, but Winner was not the best director in the world, so yes, the stroy and the cast were open for more.
Good film though.
Was anyone planning on getting the new UK BluRay? Would be great if we could confirm all the specs for the database, including a note on horse falls cenesorship
One of Bronson’s best for me.
I don’t think that anyone is going to top Kino’s transfer but I’d be willing to get the UK one if they provide both cuts.
Had no idea about the Vietnam allegory. That’s really interesting.
The Kino Lorber Blu-ray includes a very interesting interview with the writer Gerald Walker, who discusses this amongst other things.
Ah thanks for the heads up.
