(aka: A BULLET FOR THE GENERAL)
After hearing the Ennio Morricone soundtrack, I knew I wanted to see the film that went with it and I'm glad I did. And if your into spaghetti western soundtracks, then this one is essential to add to your collection. Beautiful Spanish themes and orchestration by Luis Bacalov.
This also goes along the same lines of Leone's DUCK YOU SUCKER (1971) and Sergio Corbucci's COMPANEROS (1970) in that it involves a foreign mercenary who gets involved in the Mexican Revolution of the early 20th century. I like it almost as much as those two films although baby-faced Lou Castel as El Nino the gringo, doesn't make much of an impression as an assassin-for-hire, used by the Mexican government to take out Elias (Jamie Fernandez) and collect 10,000 pesos in gold. He uses a gold bullet and a sniper rifle in order to commit his deed.
In order for El Nino to carry out his mission, he has to hook up with El Cuncho (Gian Maria Volonte) who sells guns to Elias. At least Volonte is fairly animated compared to the wooden Castel. Cuncho's brother, the priest El Santo (Klaus Kinski) and Adelita (Martine Beswick of Hammer horror and 007 fame) are along for the ride.
The action is fairly decent and the film has a great feel for Mexico even though it was filmed in the usual Almeria Spain locations. It moves along at a leisurely pace and even though it has a 2hr. playing time, I didn't feel bored by any of it at all. The only flaw is the ending where El Cuncho kills El Nino as Nino pulls out on a train. He really doesn't give any reason at all for doing this other than he is 'slightly' mad.
The anamorphic widescreen Anchor Bay DVD uses as good a print as expected with light grain showing through from a well-sourced print. No extras beyond an American and European trailer.
A welcome addition to any spaghetti western collection. Recommended.
7 out of 10
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After hearing the Ennio Morricone soundtrack, I knew I wanted to see the film that went with it and I'm glad I did. And if your into spaghetti western soundtracks, then this one is essential to add to your collection. Beautiful Spanish themes and orchestration by Luis Bacalov.
This also goes along the same lines of Leone's DUCK YOU SUCKER (1971) and Sergio Corbucci's COMPANEROS (1970) in that it involves a foreign mercenary who gets involved in the Mexican Revolution of the early 20th century. I like it almost as much as those two films although baby-faced Lou Castel as El Nino the gringo, doesn't make much of an impression as an assassin-for-hire, used by the Mexican government to take out Elias (Jamie Fernandez) and collect 10,000 pesos in gold. He uses a gold bullet and a sniper rifle in order to commit his deed.
In order for El Nino to carry out his mission, he has to hook up with El Cuncho (Gian Maria Volonte) who sells guns to Elias. At least Volonte is fairly animated compared to the wooden Castel. Cuncho's brother, the priest El Santo (Klaus Kinski) and Adelita (Martine Beswick of Hammer horror and 007 fame) are along for the ride.
The action is fairly decent and the film has a great feel for Mexico even though it was filmed in the usual Almeria Spain locations. It moves along at a leisurely pace and even though it has a 2hr. playing time, I didn't feel bored by any of it at all. The only flaw is the ending where El Cuncho kills El Nino as Nino pulls out on a train. He really doesn't give any reason at all for doing this other than he is 'slightly' mad.
The anamorphic widescreen Anchor Bay DVD uses as good a print as expected with light grain showing through from a well-sourced print. No extras beyond an American and European trailer.
A welcome addition to any spaghetti western collection. Recommended.
7 out of 10
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