Le trésor de la vallée de la mort

One of a series of popular German-made westerns featuring the duo of Shatterhand (Lex Barker) and Winnetou (Pierre Brice), this fast-moving saga benefits from grand scenery (in Yugoslavia?), a good musical score, and a well-chosen cast. (Karin Dor, even in a dubbed performance, scores especially-high marks.)

Those looking for action of the violent variety will not be disappointed. Swarms of bees and slithering snakes attack unwary travelers, Winnetou engages in a hand-to-hand duel with a rival chief, and fiery explosions rock the aptly-named Valley of Death.

Most dramatic of all is the sequence in which the bandits capture an army lieutenant and gleefully whip him into unconsciousness. (This flogging ranks #1 in the book, "Lash! The Hundred Great Scenes of Men Being Whipped in the Movies.") After reviving him with a splash of water, the bandits then tie him between four horses and prepare to draw-and-quarter him.

Though often regarded as something of a joke in America during the latter stages of his career, Lex Barker gives evidence here of why he became such a well-respected star in European films.