you can bet ! ![]()
I have Apocalypse Joe Italian DVD on order.
Shango (Koch DVD) and Ten Killers From Afar (WE DVD) on my to watch pile.
I think Guns for a Coward (my only missing 1968 Steffen movie) is free on Amazon Prime UK.
Last year (April/May) I watched all but one of Anthony Steffen’s 24 Italian/Spanish westerns in order of release date. The one exception being his last outing ‘Ten Killers from Afar’ (aka ‘Dallas’) as the print was so poor I didn’t have the patience to sit through it. The most interesting of the bunch were ‘Django the Bastard’ and ‘Shango’, possibly as both were co-written by de Teffé. The star also wasn’t adverse to ordering changes to screenplays, most notably on ‘The Man Who Cried for Revenge’, which is another favourite of mine.
I quite enjoyed ‘Dead Men Don’t Count’ (and the similar ‘A Train for Durango’ ), semi-comedic for sure but also irreverent/cynical, especially the finale. ‘Gunman Sent by God’ (aka ‘Two Pistols and a Coward’) isn’t bad either, although young Stefanelli is given far too much screen time. The English dub is terrible by the way. I’ve always had a soft spot for ‘Seven Dollars on the Red’ and ‘Blood at Sundown’, maybe as I had both on VHS back in the day. The finale of the former is worthy of the Japanese masters. Inevitably the latter films aren’t so good but ‘La caza del oro’ (aka ‘Too Much Gold for One Gringo’) was a real surprise and worth checking out.
Apparently Steffen was offered a role in Sergio Leone’s gangster epic ‘Once Upon a Time in America’. However the project was in limbo for so long he eventually declined the invitation. Although he did recommend Robert De Niro to the director after watching ‘The Godfather Part II’. The last bit probably shouldn’t be taken at face value, but that’s what he says in the biography 'Anthony Steffen: A saga do brasileiro que se tornou astro do bangue-bangue à italiana’.
I agree with your position of " Il Bastardo" and “Shango”. Both flicks have a very special atmosphere and a special kind of cheapness that makes them outstanding. I guess, both of them weren’t financial successful, but became some kind of “cult movies” over the years. Especially after their releases on VCR, I suppose.
“Shango” wasn’t theatrical released in Germany. It was shown at TV on the late 80s first time.
And Steffen shows much more acting talent in his two Mark-Damon-Movies than in his average Movies. That makes “Durango” and “Dead Men” even special too.
I received the Italian dvd and you can see a smile on my face. The quality is really nice , in my opinion. The English dub could be better but it seems ok to my German ears. There is a little bit of noise in the background, but who cares? A very entertaining action-SW, I guess. Pure fun, nothing outstanding, but some nice ideas. Thumbs up ! More entertaining than “Killer Kid”, “A coffin for the sheriff” , “Gentleman Joe” or the other average Steffen-Stuff.
I’m glad you liked Apocalypse Joe. I have the German X-rated hardbox version of the film and think it’s very good. Even the sound in the main menu is just fantastic. The film itself is really well made and, for me, a bit of an insider tip.