Aballay - Der Mann ohne Angst

RELEASED IN 2010 (and on DVD in the USA in 2013) and directed by Fernando Spiner, "Six Shooters" chronicles events in Argentina when a gang of six outlaw gauchos murder a boy's father and ten years later the young man (Nazareno Casero) sets out to kill 'em all. Claudio Rissi plays the main heavy while Mariana Anghileri appears as the requisite babe. Pablo Cedrón is on hand as a mysterious horse-riding "saint" in the mountains.

The film is in Spanish with English subtitles. Surprisingly, the production quality is top-of-the-line on every level, on par with 2011's "Blackthorn," another modern South American Western. There are some elements of "One Eyed Jacks" (1961) and Spaghetti Westerns, but without the goofiness of the latter. This is a thoroughly austere Western that's a little too artsy for its own good, which might make it play better on repeat viewings. There are themes of vengeance, repentance and forgiveness, but some people just CAN'T be saints. Maybe someday though.

THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour & 43 minutes and was shot in Amaicha del Valle, Tucumán, Argentina. WRITERS: Antonio Di Benedetto (story) and Valentín Javier Diment, Santiago Hadida & Spiner (script).

GRADE: B/B- (6.5/10)