What? A third of the way through SpagvemberFest 2021, already?? Wow, it’s flying past this year! And I’m capping my first ten spags of the Fest with The Mercenary (Corbucci, 1968), the brilliant revolutionary western starring Franco Nero as Sergei Kowalski, the swarthiest, most Italian-looking Pole ever to gallop south from Warsaw, in one of the relatively few non-Leone spags that actually looks every bit as good as any of Leone’s work in the genre. And of course anything is at least 30% cooler when Jack Palance is in it, and Jack’s on fine form here indeed.
Day 10: Assault on Fort Texan (1965) with Eduardo Fajardo (played Major Jackson in Django). The movie had potential, with a story about a band of renegade Confederate soldiers who conspire with Apaches to keep Union troops out of south Texas, which they still occupy. All in the hopes that the renegade rebels can get weapons and reinforcements from Emperor Maximilian of Mexico. The Apaches are promised land for themselves. The main characters were silly and annoying. One of them was a womanizing cavalry soldier nicknamed “Sugar.” The nickname comes across more as a term of endearment than a nickname. Credulity is stretched to the max, when Sugar gets romantically involved with an Apache beauty by random chance, and she refers to him as “my boyfriend” the rest of the movie. Giving the movie some leeway since it is an early entry in the genre, I give it 3/10.
I remember Woods saying he felt like Baldanello wanted too much theatrics out him. I recall him also saying had he not had to play it up like he did, the film would have the mini masterpiece he felt it should have been.
I’ve really grown to like George Hilton over the years. His acting style is kinda like an acquired taste, but he’s never skimped on any role I’ve watched him in. I’d recommend his Giallos, he’s great in them.
Yeah I much prefer him in Giallos like All the Colours of the Dark. I think he suits playing those types of characters rather than the scruffy gunslingers of Spaghetti Westerns
Communist block pop star Dean Reed stars in this somewhat wacky film that has more than a few similarities to James Bond and the Wild, Wild West TV series. I think Reed comes off like a big-eared, somewhat less charming Roger Moore here. It starts out pretty light and silly and gets more serious and action packed as it goes on. Also benefits from a good performance from Peter Martell as the devious villian with a tricked out walking stick. Hard to take this one too seriously, and I really dug it. Lots of fun 7/10.
This time it was Two Brothers in a Place Called Trinity for me and frankly, considering the film’s putrid reputation, it turned out to be much better than expected. As a matter of fact, it’s still one of the better comedy spaghetti westerns in light of the kind of turds Italians would pump out in the early to mid 1970s. The prelude and introduction of the main characters are really agreeable and most of the quips and jokes are actually on the funny side. That being said, the rest of the plot isn’t bad at all and legitimately made me chuckle a couple times.
The thing that really solidifies the work for me is the salient enjoyment wherewith both Harrison and O’Brien are performing their roles here. Harrison just appears less tense and more relaxed, which effects a much more natural and graceful performance, and the same goes for O’Brien, who simply seems to be having fun while enacting the part of the amicable, whacky Mormon. The flick sort of goes off the rails towards the end and seems to be losing its narrative footing with too many excursions interjected into the storyline, but it doesn’t get too bad and the motion picture culminates in an enjoyable shootout. This is obviously no classic, but I’ve seen way, way worse than this, it’s not hard to see why this is Harrison’s favorite western.
First time of the fest where I only watch one movie that I’ve already seen, anyways, I couldn’t have picked a better rewatch. This revenge film would seem like a regular spaghetti western on the surface but one amazing aspect makes it stand out greatly. Hour “hero” is a complete madman. Indeed, Robert Woods delivers a very impressive performance as the limping and laughing avenger. The film is also downbeat as all hell, which is exactly how I love my SWs. I also have to mention Gori’s amazing score, mixing stuff like organs and electric guitars, it perfectly mirrors both the dramatic nature of the story and how unhinged Jack is. Forever in my top 20, this is everything exactly how I like it. If spaghetti westerns were a subway this is the sandwich I’d make.
Ably directed by Bruno Corbucci in 1968, this is not what I regard as a particularly stand-out SW, but I enjoy it because it has features great chemistry between the two main characters, Brian Kelly, and Fabrizio Moroni - rather like a father/son alliance.
Often, such chemistry is missing, and so many SW’s simply depend on non-stop shoot-outs, and never-ending fist fights - thereby neglecting the personal touch which draws the viewer in.
I find that the main theme, by Santa Maria Romitelli, is suitably haunting, and contributes well to the images on screen. Character actor, Keenan Wynn, makes a welcome appearance as a tough gang leader; and the exquisite Erika Blanc adds the much-needed glamour.
One of the biggest bonuses - apart from the ever-beautiful Almeria landscape - is the inclusion of the ‘Cortijo del Romeral’, the homestead used so prominently in another genre favourite, ‘A Pistol for Ringo’.
All in all, a sedate, yet satisfying addition to the genre…
Searching on ‘IMDB’, I’ve just discovered that the lead actor, Brian Kelly, was an Executive Producer on the iconic Sci-Fi classic, ‘Blade Runner’ (1982).
Spaghetti Western to Sci-Fi, in one easy lesson…
Today’s George Martin offering is 1965’s Hudson River Massacre aka Three from Colorado aka a bunch of other names. If someone goes in with extremely low expectations then they might be pleasantly surprised by this tale set in the Canadian wilderness. It does contain some nice action scenes which allows Martin to showcase his skills.
Fidani: His Name Was Pot… They Called Him Allegria
It is Fidani time! Film with weird title… Pot? Allegria? Who? The alternative title Lobo the Bastard doesn’t make much sense either as the character of Lobo appears only for some 5 minutes in the film. Not among Fidani’s better films but watchable. 4/10
Spagvemberfest 2021 Day 11: DEATH RIDES A HORSE (1967)
I’ve decide to make this movie watching marathon more about reconnecting with many of the films that made and kept me a fan for more than 5 decades, rather than trying to watch 30 mediocre or subpar spaghetti I haven’t seen. Granted there will be some of those, but I feel more inclined to rewatch some favorites I haven’t watched in many years.
Finally viewing this on the excellent Kino Lorber blu-ray, and what can I say? Still holds up beautifully, still awesome, and still love Morricone’s score. Always provides a reminder to never wear distinctive jewelry to a crime scene, especially one you’re committing.
I had the pleasure of meeting John Phillip Law at the premiere of “Lust in the Dust” in the mid-eighties. I was covering the event for my local college radio station. Everyone was ignoring him, so I introduced myself, asked a few questions and when I brought up DRAH he seemed surprised, and his response was along the lines of “Everybody only ever asks about, “Barbarella.” He was fairly reserved and shy, and really didn’t want to talk much about it, and quite honestly I can’t remember much more about the conversation.
Only have the copy from wild east productions on DVD. Man doses the picture look good, like it’s a Blu-ray. Really like this one also. So cool that you had a chance to meet him. Someone once told me they thought he was an ass, thinking that was because, like what you said about him and seeming like he was shy, and the person took it the wrong way, probably. IDK. I like him.
A Minute to Pray, a Minute to Die (Dove vai ti ammazzo). Interestingly, the BluRay has very inconsistent image quality, but at least it is presumably uncut then (German BluRay). Some moments are excellent and others really crummy. Overall, I liked it (again). It has a very gritty, pessimistic and almost desolate and sad vibe. Combined with its minimalist style it makes for a rather special viewing experience. I like my spaghetti on the grim side The script and acting are of course not worth much as has been said a few times, but overall I think it’s a decent effort. Nicoletta adds some much needed beauty to this ugly adventure… and Ryan some seniority. Once you get over the lull in the middle you got quite a serious movie here. 3/5
It was a very odd event, that premiere. Both Law and Leon Isaac Kennedy were standing outside the woman’s restroom. Leon was talking to everybody, especially the ladies, but not John. Cesar Romero and Denver Pyle were there too, and Cher showed up and ruined everything. Best thing about covering the movie was I got to interview Tab Hunter, Divine and Paul Bartel who were all great. Too bad the movie fizzled, I thought it was a fun spaghetti parody.
With low expectations, someone might enjoy it okay - there really isn’t much else to say.
The script and acting are of course not worth much as has been said a few times, but overall I think it’s a decent effort. Nicoletta adds some much needed beauty to this ugly adventure… and Ryan some seniority. Once you get over the lull in the middle you got quite a serious movie here. 3/5