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

Coming Attractions…

Il Grande Silenzio (1968)

A mute gunman with a broomstick Mauser and an unhealthy hate for bounty killers finally meets his match in a psychotic bounty killer out to get a group of exiled Mormons with a bounty on their head in the snowy mountains of Utah.

This is one, if not considered THE best spaghetti western ever made and one of Serge Corbucci’s finest works, easily edging out the other movie he’s better known for, Django. If you’re expecting tall silent man strolling into town to save the day get the girl and or large amount of moolah while smoking a whole box of cigars along the way, this is totally not the movie for you. After the first scene, it’s all down hill from there. The snowy hills and embankments easily frame the cynicism and nihilism that is the come. Klaus Kinski plays his part as Loco to a tee. Psychotic, yet practical in how matter of fact he is about the business he’s in. This is followed with the silent brilliance of Jean-Louis Trintignant as Silence. Jean-Louis does a magnificent job conveying emotion without speaking a word. Add to this Luigi Pistilli as the sinister banker, the lovely Vonetta McGee and the godly Morricone soundtrack to make this film a solid picture worthy of future showings.

A lot of films where inspired by Great Silence after it was shown. From horror movies like Bava’s Black Sabbath, De Toth’s Day of The Outlaw to some of Clint Eastwood’s movies like Hang ‘em High and Pale Rider. Corbucci’s influence stealthily reached throughout the western genre as well as others throughout the years.

The DVD is magnificent. Very good quality sound. Very crisp video. You’ve got director Alex Cox (Repo Man) doing an intro/ discussion of the movie as well as commentary over extra footage. A Real good buy for the general movie fan. A must for the collection.

4 stars.