Marco Ferreri was something like a maverick director of the author cinema of the 60s and 70s. So it’s no wonder that his take on the western is not really a western.
Don’t Touch the White Woman was shot in western costumes in the middle of Paris mostly in modern surroundings, which anachronistic potential adds to the alienation effects of the film. Ferreri also used a giant building site for several of the “outdoor” scenes, and the authentic destroying of buildings was also made part of the story and the message of the film.
As a western Ferreri tells a very revisionist version of Custer’s last stand, mixed with parodies on western stereotypes and political comments towards contemporary events, especially of course the Vietnam war, underground CIA activities and post colonial problems.
There may be much stuff in the film to think about, but I wasn’t interested to try too much. Too much message and not enough enjoyable style. And the great cast is a bit wasted in giving us only coarse caricatures.
And what a cast this is:
Catherine Deneuve, Marcello Mastroianni, Michel Piccoli, Philippe Noiret, Ugo Tognazzi, Alain Cuny, Serge Reggiani, Paolo Vilaggio
It’s a “western” - note the quote marks - in the same way that Godard’s Vent d’Est is a “western” (though from memory Ferreri’s film is considerably more entertaining than Godard’s - not difficult, I know).
You must have a broad definition of genre to call it a western. What amazes me more than Alex Cox having included this in his book is the fact that it’s also in his top20. I mean this film is so boring! Only the last 15 minutes were something worth watching. Otherwise it’s just guys talking and talking. And the idea of locating a western in the middle of the modern time Paris is’nt a joke which would hold for 2 hours.
That probably has something to do with Cox’s political views. I haven’t seen this film yet but I have heard that it’s very, very leftist… and so is Cox.
Thank you scherpschutter once again for your invaluable assistance.
I sort of liked this piece of eccentricity, but only because I had got acquainted with Ferreri’s other films and known what to expect. Not a spaghetti western, mostly a political satire.
I haven’t seen it since the mid 80s, when it was shown at a festival of genre curiosities in Brussels, they also showed El Topo and a couple of movies that are now forgotten, don’t even remember any titles.
I kinda liked it then, thought it was a great idea, but I remember it went on too long.
Yes, it is a little too long. Ferreri is a quite unique director - even though his style is extremely weird, he succeeds in making entertaining films. I wonder if you have seen his Dillinger is Dead - it is truly astounding how Ferreri crafts the material. Not only is the movie well-made, but also entertaining in its own absurd way, despite having almost no script (!).
I have seen Dillinger is Dead of course, but a long time ago, and I didn’t really know what to think of it then.
Would have to watch it again to say anything constructive about it.
I’ve seen six movies by Ferreri so far and Dillinger is Dead is by far my favourite one - it is absolutely my kind of flick. If you should re-watch it, you can read this wonderful essay - it’s extremely insightful and elucidatory:
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