D: Ferdinando Baldi; B: F.B., Roberto Natale, Luigi Angelo; C: Enzo Serafin; M: Robby Poitevin; with: Spiros Forcas (“Clyde Garner”), Horst Frank, Luigi Montefiori (“George Eastman”), Roberto Risso

In Silver City a man, Bill Dakota, and his wife are bumped off by evil gunslinger Gary Stevens (Luigi Montefiori), after the sheriff (Franco Fantasia) has refused to help them. The killer steals the plan of a goldmine and heads for Mexico. Because Stevens hasn’t enough money to exploit the mine, he participates bank director Chris Malone (Horst Frank), to whom he gives one half of the plan. In return Malone allows Gary to rob his bank, so that the insurance will pay for the expedition. But Malone plays double-cross and he reveals his partner to the federales, who kill Gary’s whole gang during the bank-robbery. Gary himself is tortured by Chris to hand him out his part of the plan. However Gary is liberated by Ken Dakota (Spiros Forkas) and his partner Duke (Roberto Risso), who are on their way to avenge the death of Ken’s brother Bill. After they have taken Gary’s plan, they deliver the desperado to the texan justice, where he is sentenced to death. Chris, who is anxious for the plan, free the delinquent from the gibbet: Gary kidnaps Ken’s little nephew (Claudio Castellani), to get back his plan and allies with Chris’ best man José (Paolo Magalotti) to cut out Chris. All parties meet at Chris’ hacienda to settle the things, which have to be settled, if you know, what I mean.

I 1968

The Gunslinger says:

Quite a passable flick by Ferdinando Baldi Baldi, which loses tempo, tension and style to its end. The plot doesn’t describe another revenge story, as often written, because Ken only is a half-assed avenger. In the middle of it we rather have the chase for the plan, in which all parties play hardball. Ken extradites Gary to the authorities, but only when this has tried to kill him. Until then he shows real interest for an economical partnership, after Gary has told him about the plan. Acting is slick: neither good, nor bad. Responsible for the decent humour is Roberto Risso: tough-talking, muzzleloader and glasses.

Camerawork is well, i.e. during the brawl between Ken and the sheriff, and the score with its flutes, trumpets and violins is good. Really bad are the nightscenes, which are obviously made during the sun was shining bright.

Rating: $$$+

Bodycount: ca. 12 Gringos; ca. 30 Mexicans;1 Woman

Explicit Brutalities:
- Chris lets fight thralls with steel-claws. The winner has to play “Russian Roulette” with the loser: If he succeeds to shoot his opponent, he is free.

 - Chris’ men beat up Gary. After that they hang him up on his feet over a snakepit, during two hungry rats gnaw at the honeycoated rope

- Ken smells the stick by Malone’s gang, after Gary was sentenced to death

Luv’: 0/10

Splatter: 2/10