Taking part in the ICM Italian Challenge,I decided to check for films that I hope to watch, then sell. Nearing the end of a pile, I found a Spaghetti Western Video that I had picked up ages ago,which led to me turning the other cheek.
View on the film:
Bringing the influence of director Duccio Tessari's work with Sergio Leone in their adaptation of Lewis B. Patten's novel, the writers lean on Leone's landmark Spaghetti Westerns in the miss-matched friends relationship between Lozoya and Prince Dmitri,and a search for gold taking place against a Mexican Revolution backdrop. Whilst not shying away from their inspirations, the writers give the title its own refreshingly quirky edge, via farcical comedy of the map being on Lozoya's bottom, and Mary O'Donnell standing out from the usual ladies of the genre,by diving into the fighting.
Backed by a Morricone-sounding score from Gianni Ferrio, director Duccio Tessari & cinematographer José F. Aguayo make the Spaghetti Western shoot-outs crackle with excitement,as the whip-pans rush to follow Dmitri and Lozoya's quest for gold. Holding them up to give info to rival outlaws, Tessari loads up on the tension with lingering close-ups catching the guys thinking up elaborate escape plans. Performing the theme song, Lynn Redgrave gives an energetic performance as O'Donnell,with Redgrave hitting the action scenes with a real relish. Appearing in only his second Spaghetti Western, Franco Nero gives a terrific performance as Prince Dmitri,whose swift exchanges with Eli Wallach's very good performance as Lozoya balances slippery comedy and crunchy shoot-outs,where both of them turn the other cheek.
View on the film:
Bringing the influence of director Duccio Tessari's work with Sergio Leone in their adaptation of Lewis B. Patten's novel, the writers lean on Leone's landmark Spaghetti Westerns in the miss-matched friends relationship between Lozoya and Prince Dmitri,and a search for gold taking place against a Mexican Revolution backdrop. Whilst not shying away from their inspirations, the writers give the title its own refreshingly quirky edge, via farcical comedy of the map being on Lozoya's bottom, and Mary O'Donnell standing out from the usual ladies of the genre,by diving into the fighting.
Backed by a Morricone-sounding score from Gianni Ferrio, director Duccio Tessari & cinematographer José F. Aguayo make the Spaghetti Western shoot-outs crackle with excitement,as the whip-pans rush to follow Dmitri and Lozoya's quest for gold. Holding them up to give info to rival outlaws, Tessari loads up on the tension with lingering close-ups catching the guys thinking up elaborate escape plans. Performing the theme song, Lynn Redgrave gives an energetic performance as O'Donnell,with Redgrave hitting the action scenes with a real relish. Appearing in only his second Spaghetti Western, Franco Nero gives a terrific performance as Prince Dmitri,whose swift exchanges with Eli Wallach's very good performance as Lozoya balances slippery comedy and crunchy shoot-outs,where both of them turn the other cheek.