Jim Slade (Karl Hirenbach) is religious and for that reason strictly refuses violence and alcohol. During the Civil War he unfortunally serves in the CSA, where he is sentenzed to two years of hard labour because of “cowardice”. After the end of the war he is amnestied. As he returns home, he finds his parents murdered and the farm destroyed: Four bandidos are reputed to have dropped in not only for a cup of tea. Jimbo is anxious for revenge, and despite of his religious convictions he is breeded to the gun. Three of the four rogues are buried fast, but the fourth man, Corbett (Pietro Lulli), has disbanded. As Jim arrives accidentially in the little fucked-up town of Galveston, some bandits try to rob the bank, led by – guessed it? – Corbett. He is bent on 200.000 dollars, which are said to be in the bank’s safe, but which aren’t, because the transport is delayed. Slade is determined by the mayor (Julio Pena) to be the new sheriff, after the predecessor has died because of “lead poisoning”. Together with mysterious itinerant preacher Douglas (John Ireland) he wants to resist the bandits, who stayed outside the town to await the gold, and finally wanna kill Corbett. But things are not the same, they seem to be, folx.

I/SP 1968

The Gunslinger says:

Second western by Umberto Lenzi, which has some problems to find its line. The film engages a higher gear not before some loonies escape outta jail. Yeah! In this situation Lenzi’s later preferences for zombies and vile hoaxes become evident. If you look at the completely insane Eduardo Fajardo making “tabula rasa” with his axe or the psychos staggering through the nightly Galveston, you know what I mean. Till the end the story makes some nice twists, because most of the characters play triple-cross. Good acting especially by Lulli, Fajardo and Ireland, whereas Slade’s changing from a white sheep to an icecool gunslinger is hard to believe. The score isn’t that impressive, but offers a nice harp-theme, supported by a mellow vibraphone.

Rating: $$$+

Bodycount: ca. 34 Gingos, 2 Mexicanos

Explicit Brutalities:

- Jim kills Jeff Logan, a murderer of his parents, after he had to dig his own grave

- Corbett’s mobsters beat up Jim

Luv’:

Jimbo is is shyly admired by singer Marjorie (Gloria Osuna): 0/10

Splatter: 2/10

Specials:

- Jim only drinks water – but he’s not as that consequent in following his religious non-use of force

- Jim has reserved a special bullet for each of the murderers, with which he arms his colt before the execution