D: Joaquin Romero Marchent; S: J.R.M, Santiago Moncada; C: Luis Cuadrado,; M: Carmelo Bernola; with: Claudio Undari („Robert Hundar“), Alberto Dalbes, Antonio Iranzo, Emmanuela Bertran (“Emma Cohen“)

Sergeant Brown (Claudio Undari) is stationed in a goldmine miles from anywhere, where chained convicts have to dig for the precious metal and pining away is the only distractability. Therefore it’s good luck for Brown, that he is seconded to Fort Green. Together with his daughter Cassie (Emmanuela Bertran) he joins a transport of seven of the most dangerous criminals heading for Fort Green. Just after leaving the transport is attacked by a strange Hippie-community, who wanna rob some gold. As the attempt is in vain, the Hippies kill most of the escorting soldiers. Because of the bolting horses the stagecoach meets with an accident. From now on the Browns and the seven prisoners, chained to each other, have to struggle along through the winterly mountains for Fort Green. The situation begins to escalate, as the prisoners realise, that their chains are made of pure gold. Furthermore one of them once has killed Brown’s woman. A game has begun, which nobody can’t escape.

E/I 1971

The Gunslinger says:

This film, directed by Joaquin Romero Marchent, is said to be the hardest Eurowestern, ever made. Nope, Sir: Concerning e.g. contempt for mankind there are surely other films of the genre playing in the same league. But this one surely is one of the most drastic Western movies: The gore effects are bloody realistic, so that one might think sitting in a snuff film. The camera shows everything, e.g. heads, faces, throats making an acquaintance with rifle-butts, bullets and knifes. Really hard stuff. It’s surely a film, which divides the public. I was really impressed by it: great camera, atmosphere and score combined with good acting. It’s true, that the plot is really simple: A group of men staggering through the hostile nature. But men, who have abandoned all their humanity long ago, only waiting for the right occasion to strike without mercy: really thrilling. Skillfully used flashbacks complete the story. Even if you wanna watch this film only for one time: Watch it!

Rating: $$$$+

Bodycount: ca. 19

Explicit brutalities:

- Cassies Mutter is stabbed brutally

- The Hippie bandidos kill a soldier with a rifle-butt and cut the throat of another

- The prisoners beat up Mr. Brown

John „Weasel“ McFarlane (Jose Manuel Martin) rapes Cassie

- The owner of a saloon is killed very brutally with a machete because of a dispute for five dollars

Luv:

Cassie searchs the company of Dean Marlowe, but only because she doesn’t hate him as mauch as his comrades. 0/10

Splatter: 8/10