- Fulci: Four of the Apocalypse
-Film that I seem to love more every time I watch it. I know I’m in minority here but I think this is one of the best spaghetti westerns ever made. 10/10
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Spagvember Fest 2024
Day 23
La Sfida dei MacKenna
First time watch. This one got mentioned as a good curio to check out on Facebook, and I was able to find a good quality print upload on YouTube, though watch at your own caution as the uploader had to mute out most of the musical cues for copyright reasons. The plot is straightforward, but kept very interesting: A man is hung by his girlfriend’s disapproving father and brother, and the two begin a vendetta against a well-meaning drifter for giving the man a decent burial. A Saloon Madam with a heart of gold helps the drifter as he tries to prevent more bloodshed. The film’s Greek Tragedy element is a very good and well used one, but goes too up and down in the deeper meaning category, I think. The characters are very well fleshed out and do feel like they could be encountered in real life, but again the majority of them go up and down.
American star John Ireland became an impressive character player when he went to Italy, and his range and skill are no exception in the role of Jones/Jonas. A self-defrocked priest who couldn’t reconcile being a Man of God and a plain man, Jonas is constantly running from the one sin he couldn’t forgive himself of, and just wanders from place to place, trying to do what little good he still feels he can, and not give in to violent outbursts. His resolve is put to the ultimate test when he gives a proper burial to a man hated by a Mexican Land Baron because he wanted to marry his daughter, and the Baron and his psychotic son vow to make Jonas pay. While Ireland does indeed give an excellent performance as a tortured soul having quite the time trying to reconcile his faith and own personal desires, he comes off as almost too self-righteous for his own good. With quoting scripture and trying to remain a nonviolent pacifist, he still behaves very much like a priest in his views and actions. It’s as if his light to serve God never went out, but for whatever reason can’t live with both his calling and the frailty of human nature - especially within himself. At times it even feels like the character enjoys feeling the way he does and uses his “doubt” as an excuse to never try and find answers to his problem.
Robert Woods, one of our favorites on the Forum, gives an equally excellent performance against type as the villainous Chris. That the character is a stuff-shirted sniveling whiner is really against type too. This guy is the quintessential model for Grecian Tragedy in that he harbors forbidden desires for his own sister, has unfulfilled plans of ambition, and just wants his father and others to show him the respect he feels (in his head anyway) he’s earned. Woods giving off bouts of hysterical laughter does border on the overdramatic at times, but usually it works in Woods’s favor.
Roberto Camardiel, a Spanish character actor normally known for sidekick and secondary roles, gets to sink his teeth into a rare main villain part (after the excellent Mr. Zorro character in If You Live, Shoot!) in Don Diego. Diego is the typical old school tyrant who rules with fear and terror, using whatever means he can to maintain control. He goes too far however when he mercilessly kills his daughter’s fiancé, which to leads to a no-win vendetta against a man who only tried being a Good Samaritan. Oddly enough, it’s never even hinted at what made Don Diego go bad, leaving his actions a total mystery.
Annabella Incontrera, a lesser-known Italian actress, shines brightly in her role as Maggie the Saloon Owner and Madam. One of the finest examples of the Wh*re with a Heart of Gold character, Maggie does deal in many vices, but she never treats her workers or clients in an unfair manner - unless of course they deserve it - and wouldn’t put up with anything that might be fishy. Her love of the Jonas character is definitely real and proves it - at least to the audience - by being willing to make a sacrifice to save him.
Not sure myself how much rewatch potential this has, but the film is still an interesting one and offers some really fine acting and food for thought for a small budget affair.
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Ah, gotcha! Thanks for pointing that out 
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Day 23–Day of Anger (1967) D: Tonino Valerie. Starring Lee Van Cleef, Giuliano Gemma, Walter Rilla, Al Murlock, and Benito Stefanelli. Scott (Gemma), the town garbage man and bar sweep is treated like a pariah by the townfolk of Crafton until infamous gunfighter Frank Talby rides into town and makes the young man his protege. My second time watching Day of Anger was more enjoyable than the first. I had forgotten how good this movie is! I found the relationship between Frank and Scott to be endearing at times. I think the one part of the story that I didn’t buy was how quickly Scott turned on Frank. Especially regarding Murph (Rilla), who was like a father to Scott since his mother was a prostitute and his biological father was out of the picture. Murph may have helped raise Scott but it didn’t help the young man regarding his social status in Crafton. If anyone helped Scott finally by become a man it was Talby. I could see his loyalty being stronger than with Murph. Besides that, Day of Anger is in my SW Top 10. Rating: 4.5/5
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Pistol Packin’ Preacher (1972) (orig. Posate le pistole, reverendo) - Director: Leopoldo Savona - 2/10.
Outside of a handful of more sophisticated plot devices and Mark Damon’s spirited performance, the movie doesn’t really differ from a slew of other spaghetti western comedies of the early to mid 1970s. While the story about a fake priest performing fake miracles and trying to finagle information about a hidden treasure is unlikely to generate much interest, it also includes a couple of more original moments such as an eclipse and the plot seems purposeful enough in its initial stages at least. Another reason why the production is initially somewhat digestible is that Damon displays a surprising amount of verve and aptitude for farcical acting which goes well with some of project’s more absurd excesses. Either way, none of that amounts to much considering film’s gags take a sharp nosedive past pic’s midpoint with the storyline devolving into the usual string of bland vignettes; suffice to say, the sketches are basically indistinguishable from the kind of content other analogous productions of the era would indiscriminately shower their audiences with. Indeed, the latter half seems deliberately prolonged for want of meaningful plot development which is only exacerbated by banality of successive comedic sequences. On the whole, the flick does not work all that well as a pastiche, nor does its comedy provoke too many chuckles for that matter, growing increasingly repetitious and tiresome towards the end.
My resolution not to do any re-watches during these fests is starting to wear a little thin.
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that’s my spagvemberfest watching today, as well. what a wild movie… brutal, merciless…
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Yeah but at the same time I think it’s one of the most touching sw’s. The relationship between Bunny and Stubby, the birth of a child… you don’t see stuff like that in any other sw.
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or the cannibalism 
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Spagvemberfest Day 24
Days of Violence (Brescia / 1967)
Day 24 and I tick off the last of the Hall of Fame Actors with a week to spare. One of Brescia’s best and a typical Peter Lee Lawrence vehicle which also features some nice appearances for Rosalba Neri, Nello Pazzafini and Andrea Bosic as well as anothe HoF tick off for the music of Bruno Nicolai. This is mid tier Spaghetti from top to bottom but pretty enjoyable for all that.
I now have 11 Hall of Famers to go to succeed in ticking off all of them within the 30 days of Spagvemberfest. A tall order in 6 days? We will see.
8 Likes
Wrath of The Wind
First watch. Watched it without high expectations and got a good movie. Terence Hill is great. I prefer his more serious movies. Not too much spaghetti in this one. The soundtrack was a bit too cheerful, didn’t fit the character of the movie. 4/5
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well… 
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- Romitelli: His Name Was King
-Apart from it’s famous theme song and Kinski’s brief role there isn’t much good to say. Richard Harrison is ok but does routine role. Lots of recycled film and music used from other westerns and loads of meaningles horse riding. 4/10
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A top ten for me, too! I just watched Bandidos this morning, and I love how it managed to borrow elements from this classic without trying to retread it. The final show down is filmed so stylishly, every movement is framed–and every note of the soundtrack scored–for maximum melodrama. Even the gaudy golden pistols in front of the saloon are pure spagehtti western fun. This is the kind you show your friends who want to know the genre beyond Eastwood. It has a little comedy (that banjo/donkey theme), a lot of action, and some dramatic heart.
2 Likes
#14 The Man Called Gringo (1965)
2/5
First time watch. Years ago, some scholarly critic pointed out how seldom cattle appear in euro westerns, and it opened my young eyes! So now whenever ranching or rustling figure in a plot, I keep my eyes out for cow cameos. This has decidedly more than Gemma’s “Wanted”, which maybe had only one close up of a branding near fire? (And that was maybe stock footage?) Anyway, this one was the dud of the month so far. Plodding story not unlike “Wanted”. Mostly apes genuine B-movies and TV westerns form the States, I reckon.
#15 Bandidos (1967)
4.5/5
Second watch, first time in English! I got inspired after @last.caress reminded me how strong the start was. If you enjoy a mentor/student western, this is a top 10 for the whole genre. Acting from Salerno is really quite strong, especially his showdown scene in the bar… the guy can emote! I haven’t seen his other westerns, are they as good as this one?
Music, style… don’t forget the incredible sets! The smokey bars filled with portraits and patrons. Streets with snake oil salesmen, a troubadour in black that looks like Johnny Cash. , and plenty of rollicking stagecoaches.
Top 25 for me–but this is doubtlessly one of the 40-50 really great Italian westerns by any metric.
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No. 23 & 24:
Lee Van Cleef Double Feature
BAD MANS RIVER
Rewatch from new German Blu Ray.
Although it has a great cast no fan favourite. In 1971 genre was over its peak and in this revolution Western there is no straight forward story and some comedy elements. Story is also overloaded and we see dozens of “Spaghetti stars” in big and small roles. No time for real deep character studies, etc.
Nevertheless I always have and still like this “mixture” and we see some good action and all above tricky and beautiful Gina Lollobrigida who is smarter than all the good and bad boys. Score is mostly traditional but in the middle there is a rock song in Jethro Tull style…
Why not…
German BD is OK but I do not know if it is an improvement to the other before released ones. Master/License is from Studio Canal.
CAPTAIN APACHE
Rewatch also from new German Blu Ray.
Very unusual role for LVC in this Eurowestern. Most of the reviews are negative often due to the confusing story. It is more a crime movie than a Western and if you watch carefully all comes clear at the end. I like it because it is different. Also score is very psychedelic with LVC himself singing.
BD seems to be based on same master as former BD and DVD versions.
7 Likes
Spagvember Fest 2024
Day 24
Sono Sartana, il Vostro Becchino
Rewatch. This is probably my favorite of the Sartana franchise, the story has plenty of twists, turns, and a couple of surprises you don’t see coming in the first viewing. A solid good old fashioned fun, entertaining time. Our favorite paul bearer has to clear his name after he’s framed for a bank robbery, the sole captured participant telling him to look into an outlaw haven called Poker Falls. His task becomes complicated when three men decide to try and claim the bounty on Sartana’s head, each with his own reasons.
Gianni Garko is picture perfect as the Old West equivalent of a secret agent, full of wit, tricks, and sleight of hand. Sartana has his vices, but he’s got a code of ethics he never goes against, and is tenacious enough to see it all through. While the flashy gadgets aren’t in play yet, Sartana still outfoxes his enemies in very creative fashion.
Frank Wolff, in his last Western film before his tragic demise, does some of his best acting in the role of Buddy Ben. A likable rogue whose loyalties are sometimes sketchy, Ben is the only character from the start who believes Sartana didn’t rob the bank and tags along to help him prove his innocence.
The one wasted element of the film are the characters played by Klaus Kinski, Gordon Mitchell, and Jose Torres. While Kinski does get some good screen time, Mitchell and Torres are heavily underused. It would’ve been a lot more interesting had all three been shown following Sartana’s trail, and then all show up at the same time near the climax. That’s just how I felt it should’ve been played out
A stellar gallery of other SW regulars including Rick Boyd, Sal Borgese, Ettore Manni, and Renato Baldini turn up as the denizens of a hamlet that acts as a sanctuary for outlaws where something fishier than usual is going on and everyone has something to conceal.
Giuliano Carnimeo does a very good job in the director’s chair, and while he isn’t in the same caliber as Gianfranco Parolini and others, holds his own quite well.
The Arrow Blu Ray is exquisite.
7 Likes
Bandidos is in my Top 10 too! Like Day of Anger, it’s one of those SW’s you can tell is quality after watching way too many chintzy, ripoff genre entries. It’s a distinction that SW enthusiasts like us can detect with our cinematic palletes. It’s not unlike a cigar aficionado being able to appreciate the difference between a Padron or Monte Cristo cigar and a Dutch Master or Swisher’s Sweet cigarillo.
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Day 24–$100,000 for Lassiter (a.k.a. Dollars for a Fast Gun) (1966) D: Joaquin Romero Marchant. Starring Robert Hundar, Roberto Carmadiel, Pamela Tudor, Aldo Sambrell, and Jesus Puente. A pasta/paella feature about Martin, a bank robber-turned-oppressive landowner (Bodelo) who is blackmailed by a fast-drawing, smooth-talking stranger connected to his past, named Lassiter. Martin soon must face his past wrongs when his former bank-robbing partner Frank returns to his life. All while having to contend with his trigger-happy, resentful stepson. I enjoyed ‘$100,000 for Lassiter’ more than I anticipated. The film was quite funny at times. Especially regarding Robert Hundar’s performance as Lassiter. Lassiter is underestimated as an effete, dweeby doofus by the locals and My Martin’s henchmen again and again throughout the film. Yet, Lassiter nonchalantly triumphs every step of the way. The story includes a humorous subplot involving land tenants Sarah (Tudor) and Pedro (Camradiel), who let Lassiter stay at their house. Pedro apparently is in love with a pig and has the local doctor routinely check on it a few times in the film. There’s also a bizarre reference made to Pedro’s decision to marry the swine at one point. Otherwise, a fun watch! Rating: 3/5.
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Spagvemberfest Day 25
Once Upon a Time in the West (Leone / 1968)
A perfect film for a long cold November Sunday and one that just happens to tick off three more from my Hall of Fame list. Frank Wolff, Tonino Delli Colli and Fulvio Morsella. A masterpiece of course which really needs no more words from me except to say that despite the countless times I’ve watched this film it somehow seems to keep getting better.
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Colorado Charlie (1965) - Director: Roberto Mauri - 4/10.
Mauri’s debut predominantly follows in the footsteps of other pre-Leone oaters, emulating the look and feel of these antediluvian productions, which entails that other than Lorenzon’s vigorous performance, there is nothing out of the ordinary here whatsoever. The movie essentially revolves around the renowned gunslinger by the name of Wild Bill whose plan to retire is disrupted by Colorado Charlie’s rambunctious arrival; in spite of his oath not to participate in violent dealings ever again, he tracks down the bandit, brings him to jail and resumes preparations related to his retirement; the said ruffian then breaks out of jail and sets out to avenge his friend killed by Wild Bill. On the whole, the flick initially unfolds at a tolerable pace and is greatly animated by Lorenzon’s good showing here. The issue consists in that once Colorado Charlie is escorted to prison, the storyline basically comes to a standstill and starts to heavily rely on drama which regrettably happens to be on the milquetoast, mushy side apart from being wearisomely one-dimensional. Wild Bill’s wife exhibits pacifistic inclinations which gives rise to a number of sleep-inducing exchanges and generally meritless slush of the corny kind. At any rate, the plot thenceforth flounders towards the end with nothing in the way of an attention-grabbing attraction to invigorate the proceedings along the way. What with pic’s scarce shootouts, invariably bland characterization and increasingly decelerating pacing, both film’s action and drama prove uneventful insofar as the project is wont to pall on the viewer eventually.
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