ravvale1
Joined Mar 2012
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Reviews3
ravvale1's rating
Is this a great movie? Worthy of the praise of other Italian flicks starring Giuliano Gemma? No.
But it is a really fun "Vikings & Indians" movie, directed by the guy who did the very first Italian Western (The Sign of the Coyote), Mario Caiano.
And I really don't understand the disdain that one of the user reviewers expressed for Caiano. Although, unlike him, I haven't seen a lot of his work, I think he does a perfectly fine job with this movie.
Again, is in the same league as Leone, Corbucci, or Castellari? No. There's nothing particularly special about his style or the way he films action.
But he is good workmanlike director. When there's action, he captures it and it's good. His set-ups and direction of dialogue, as well as the action tells the story.
And it's a good story. A story of love and deceit. Of betrayal and loyalty. It's Shakespearean in its tale of brothers and their rivalry for love and power.
It's a tale of good vs evil. Of a force for power and greed vs a force for patriotism, love and honor.
And Gemma and Gordon Mitchell are great as per usual. I always love seeing Gemma's stunts and charisma. And Mitchell has a face that just looks great on film. Like it's made out of rock. They have a fight in this with axes and bare hands that's worth the price of admission right there.
I give this a 7.5 and it makes want to watch more of Caiano's films.
But it is a really fun "Vikings & Indians" movie, directed by the guy who did the very first Italian Western (The Sign of the Coyote), Mario Caiano.
And I really don't understand the disdain that one of the user reviewers expressed for Caiano. Although, unlike him, I haven't seen a lot of his work, I think he does a perfectly fine job with this movie.
Again, is in the same league as Leone, Corbucci, or Castellari? No. There's nothing particularly special about his style or the way he films action.
But he is good workmanlike director. When there's action, he captures it and it's good. His set-ups and direction of dialogue, as well as the action tells the story.
And it's a good story. A story of love and deceit. Of betrayal and loyalty. It's Shakespearean in its tale of brothers and their rivalry for love and power.
It's a tale of good vs evil. Of a force for power and greed vs a force for patriotism, love and honor.
And Gemma and Gordon Mitchell are great as per usual. I always love seeing Gemma's stunts and charisma. And Mitchell has a face that just looks great on film. Like it's made out of rock. They have a fight in this with axes and bare hands that's worth the price of admission right there.
I give this a 7.5 and it makes want to watch more of Caiano's films.
I liked this movie better than some of the negative reviews here. I admit, I'm biased; a Western already is on my good side at hello. But I still usually know when it's either mediocre or bad. This is neither. It's rather like my title.
Is this Dmytryk's best job of directing? Maybe not. But it works well. And the performances are top-notch. And I have to vehemently disagree with those reviews faulting DeForest Kelly's performance in this. For my money, he almost steals the film, at least in those scenes he's in. I'd even venture to guess that his performance here might be part of the inspiration for Val Kilmer's as Doc Holiday in Tombstone.
In fact, as many have pointed out, this is a thinly disguised retelling of that oft-told tale of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday vs "The Cowboys", and I think this entire movie was a strong influence on Tombstone. While I love that movie more, this one's a keeper. Especially, on this Twilight Time Limited Edition Blu-ray (get 'em while they last!)
If I had any problem with this movie, it's a small one: I felt a little like it had what I like to call "ending-itis", i.e. like it had too many endings. I would've liked it more if it ended about 12 minutes before it actually ends.
But I still liked it a lot when it was all over. Not sure it would make my top 10 favorite Westerns list, or maybe even top 20. But definitely top 30. And believe me, with as many Westerns as I've seen and loved, that's still saying something.
Is this Dmytryk's best job of directing? Maybe not. But it works well. And the performances are top-notch. And I have to vehemently disagree with those reviews faulting DeForest Kelly's performance in this. For my money, he almost steals the film, at least in those scenes he's in. I'd even venture to guess that his performance here might be part of the inspiration for Val Kilmer's as Doc Holiday in Tombstone.
In fact, as many have pointed out, this is a thinly disguised retelling of that oft-told tale of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday vs "The Cowboys", and I think this entire movie was a strong influence on Tombstone. While I love that movie more, this one's a keeper. Especially, on this Twilight Time Limited Edition Blu-ray (get 'em while they last!)
If I had any problem with this movie, it's a small one: I felt a little like it had what I like to call "ending-itis", i.e. like it had too many endings. I would've liked it more if it ended about 12 minutes before it actually ends.
But I still liked it a lot when it was all over. Not sure it would make my top 10 favorite Westerns list, or maybe even top 20. But definitely top 30. And believe me, with as many Westerns as I've seen and loved, that's still saying something.
