bensonmum2

(2012-04-23 10:23:50)

Nice Spaghetti Western

Nice Spaghetti Western. The story concerns four rival groups out to geta chest full of gold. While the plot is actually almostincomprehensible, it's fun to watch Sartana and others switchallegiances about every five minutes. But the story here is secondaryto the action. The body count is very high with entire gangs beingwiped out by the burst of a Gatling gun. Gianni Garko as Sartana andWilliam Berger as Lasky are just fun to watch. It's not the bestSpaghetti Western I've seen, but I'm glad to finally have a copy.While the movie prominently lists Klaus Kinski in the credits, hisscreen time totals about 10 minutes.

Woodyanders

(2012-04-22 18:18:57)

Excellent spaghetti Western

Shrewd and lethal ace gunslinger Sartana (a fine and commandingperformance by Gianni Garko) goes after the dangerous band of thieveswho held up a stagecoach for a fortune in gold. Sartana engages in adeadly battle of its with the equally crafty and ruthless Lasky(splendidly played to the wicked hilt by William Berger), a totalbastard who's willing to do anything necessary (including killing hisown men!) to have exclusive dibs on the booty. Director GianfrancoPaulini, who also co-wrote the convoluted script with Werner Hauff andRenato Izzo, relates the complex and compelling story of greed, deceit,and treachery at a constant snappy pace, stages the plentiful thrillingshoot-outs with considerable skill and brio, maintains an appropriatelytough and gritty tone throughout, and tops everything off with a nicesense of amusingly sardonic humor. Moreover, there's a marvelouslygrotesque rogues' gallery of no-count villains: the always terrificFernando Sancho as wicked bandit Jose Manuel Mendoza, Sydney Chaplin asshifty banker Jeff Stewal, Gianni Rizzo as gross fat creep Alman, HeidiFischer as the fetching, but duplicitous Evelyn, and, in a regrettablybrief role, the immortal Klaus Kinski as Lasky's icy henchman Morgan.Frank Pesce delivers a delightfully spry turn as rascally old cootundertaker Dusty. The tricky narrative keeps you on your toes with allits surprising twists and turns and culminates in a tense and excitingfinal confrontation between Sartana and Lasky. Both Sandro Mancori'sexpansive widescreen cinematography and Piero Piccioni'sjaunty'n'groovy score are up to speed. An enjoyable film.