D: Paolo Cavara; S: P.C., Lucia Drudi, Oscar Saul, Harry Essex; C: Tonino Delli; M: Danile Patucchi; with: Anthony Quinn, Franco Nero, Pamela Tiffin, Franco Graziosi

In 1836 there’s a lot of trouble going on in the Republic of Texas, just separated from Mexico. Whereas President Sam Houston prosecutes the unification with the U.S., the rebels under leadership of General Lucius Morton (Franco Graziosi) fight for independence. The latter is a quite brutal bloke, killing everyone who is against his plans. Furthermore some american businessmen supply the separatists with dynamite and the new machineguns. Two adventurers, the deaf and dumb Erasmus „Deaf“ Smith (Anthony Quinn) und the Spaniard Juanito (Franco Nero), seem to be the right men to support the president. But Juanito, enchanted by the whore Suzie (Pamela Tiffin), is more a loving than a fighting man. So „Deaf“ has to deal firstly with Morton’s „army“ all alone.

The Gunslinger says:

Paolo Cavara made that joint in 1972. Supported by the Hollywood veterans Harry Essex and Oscar Saul, he enriched his film with decent comedy elements. In my opinion the movie suffers in a lack of tempo and tension: Despite it’s opulent acouterment and the good acting it’s little more than average. Good camerawork, some gimmicks, like the complete silent scenes, filmed out of „Deaf’s“ sight, and the unobstrusive but effective guitar- and orchester-score are further pluses of the film.

Rating: $$$+

Bodycount: ca. 40 Gringos, 1 Mexican, 3 women

Luv':

Susie and Juanito have found themselves. Finally this love causes even the end of the strong friendship between „Deaf“ an Juanito. But maybe the real reason for Deaf to leave was Susie’s crappy coffee? 3/10