El Chuncho, Quien Sabe? (1966)

An American mercenary goes deep and hitches up with a group of bandits on a hidden agenda as they go around Mexico to steal arms from the army to sell for money.

The Good

Hey look! Gian Volonte gets to play the protagonist for once!!

This is not only a great spaghetti western, but it is also a good example of the political bend westerns were achieving in the late 60’s. The script was co-written by Franco Solinas who was known for his political films, especially The Battle of Algiers. Teaming up with director Damiani, they weave an action packed parable about how it is easy to be blinded while living the life of a revolutionary. Almost everyone plays their part well including Klaus Kinski, who plays the crazy theologian El Santo.

The story was even in pace as well. It wasn’t to fast or too slow. It build characters effectively while still keeping it full of action to keep the audience involved.

The Bad

I really would like to wring the neck of the American PR department for this movie. The name they gave this movie totally killed the suspense of the picture. If given another name, the picture would have more impact and would have been more well known.

Also, a lot of people see this as a Buddy movie. It isn’t. Volonte is a the colourful protagonist while Castel’s character, Gringo, was the one sided opportunist antagonist. Castel, I think, was doing everything that was expected of him, but he forgot to add a little something more to the character. So, when he has scenes with Volonte, his character is a paper doll compared to Chuncho.

The DVD!!!

The Blue Underground disc is a carryover from Anchor Bay. While the sound is nice and crisp, the visuals are a bit washed. I’m a fan of “natural transferal” so this doesn’t bother me none. The extras are sparse. Just a domestic and an international trailer.

Conclusion

While this is a collectible for Spaghetti Western fans, I would hold and possibly ask for a better reissue. General fans should look this up if you have a hankering for westerns.

3 Stars

I Cotelli del Vendicatore (1966)

Forced into hiding, a queen and her son run from a bloodthirsty general. They find themselves under the protection of a stranger who’s fighting off a secret while looking to get revenge on the general

The Good

This is pretty much Shane without the metaphorical metaphysical hero and knives in the place of six shooters. Camron Mitchell does a great job as the stranger and ‘Lissa is freaking hot as Queen Karin.

Also, Bava made this on a real short budget on a real short time frame. From what I hear, this movie was originally already worked on by another director and the production company ran out of money and lost the director. Bava picked up the project and put his own touches into what we have today. Which shows Bava as a very versitile director in any situation.

He also create something that feels like an understanding of space. You get a feeling that it does take a bit of time to get from one destination to another. Something you think is rare in movies.

The Bad

I think the script could have been better constructed. Sure there are clues as to what Mitchell’s character has done. I do think that it would have made the movie better if the reveal was held off a bit longer so it would have a much bigger impact.

The DVD!!!

This movie is part of the Mario Bava Collection Vol. 1. It’s the same as the Image DVD, but without the Italian dub track. The video and audio is alright for people who dig a more natural feel to the stock. The DVD is pretty bare bones. Besides the Italian dub, you get a black and white trailer as well as a Bava bio.

Conclusion

If you’re a Bava fan, this is a flick you really need to have in your collection. Fantasy fans would dig it too. General film fans should at least give it the time of day as a rental.

3 Stars

Nudo e Selvaggio (1985)

A plane crashes deep within the Amazon Jungle and the passengers must fight the wilds of the accursed Dinosaur Valley to survive.

This movie was one of many of Indiana Jones ripoffs that started in…I believe 1984. Correct me if I’m wrong. I’m humble. This movie is more on the higher level of those ripoffs. I think mainly because at the time…they were tying the last of the “Jungle Cannibal” sub genre to this movie. Try to gets an extra couple bucks out of it. Anyways, this movie has everything. Piranha, quicksand, headhunting natives, white slavery, y’know, everything you like in a Jungle Action movie.

a real nice touch is the Simonetti soundtrack. You’re so used to big piping moogs and loud guitars, that you don’t realize the range of the composer. Lots of nice Caribbean and Brazilian vibes going with the score. I also would like to point out that this might be the best movie of Mike Sopkiw, one of the many cult actors of the Italo-sploitation cinema.

So while yes, some of the dub is really corny and yes, the characters and effects are cheesy, this is a real nice movie. Real enjoyable for serious or even a laugh. I think you’d like it if you’re a big “Jungle Peril” fan.

Three stars.

Chrome And Hot Leather (1971)

“Gabriel…. Gabriel, can’t you see we’re menacing someone?”

A Green Beret returns home to find out that his fiancee has been murdered by a biker gang. He gathers his friends and fellow members of his platoon set out undercover to find the gang and bring them to justice.

As a revenge movie, this is very clinical. It’s like watching Col Sam Flagg from MASH get a bunch of his buddies together, get bikes and clothes they think biker gangs wear and try to infiltrate them. If I were a real biker, I’d play along and lead them the wrong way. There are real Wingtip Hippie moments.

Speaking of biker gangs, if you want your biker gang to look mean, you don’t have the lead biker (played by William Smith) say “Maybe we should wait for the cops!” after one of your bikers run a car off the road. William Smith really tried to make his character at least look mean, but you end up liking the guy. I mean it. You’re rooting for William to really rough up Tony Young’s character. The guy is as square as he gets! Hit him Will!!

This all leads up to the climax of Biker vs. Green Beret in a series of canyons. Well…really it’s more like bikers go to the canyons to have fun and get ambushed by Green Berets with tear gas followed by edged hands and really ridiculous punches. Seriously, if you wanted a slam bang climax, wouldn’t it be wise to at least give the bikers a chance to at least throw one punch? If the message this movie was conveying was biker gangs are bad, it failed miserably. It more likely told the audience that Green Berets are dicks.

The only good parts in this movie besides William Smith is the subplot with Gabriel, the pinball wizard and Marvin Gaye playing a Green Beret (I’m a poet and don’t know it!). This movie is pretty much something to watch on a Sunday when nothing on and you don’t want to go back to bed.

I give this two stars.