A Pistol for Ringo (1965)
*** (out of 4)
Mexican bandits rob a bank and ride off but the posse following them forces them into a ranch owned by a rich family. The bandits won't allow anyone to get close but the local sheriff offers Ringo (Giuliano Gemma) his freedom if he can get in and save the people there. Ringo manages to get onto the ranch where he decides to play both sides against one another.
A PISTOL FOR RINGO turned out to be a lot better than I was expecting it too and a lot of the credit has to go to writer-director Duccio Tessari. What really sets this film apart from the countless other Spaghetti Westerns is the fact that this one here seems to be spoofing the genre. No, it's not a laugh riot but there's no question that the film has fun with the various trappings that these films usually have.
One thing I really loved was the over-the-top badness from the bandits as they'd really shoot anyone and anything including shooting people in the back. The film was never cruel or mean about it and in fact all of the violence is done in a rather funny manner. The back and forth between Gemma and Fernando Sancho as the main bad guy is also priceless as the two just perfectly work off one another. Their non-stop back and forth is a lot of fun and certainly helps carry the film.
Having the film set around Christmas time was another interesting touch and then you've got Ennio Morricone great score. Throw in the top-notch cinematography and you've certainly got a very entertaining gem. There are a few flaws in the film but there's no question that overall it's a winner
*** (out of 4)
Mexican bandits rob a bank and ride off but the posse following them forces them into a ranch owned by a rich family. The bandits won't allow anyone to get close but the local sheriff offers Ringo (Giuliano Gemma) his freedom if he can get in and save the people there. Ringo manages to get onto the ranch where he decides to play both sides against one another.
A PISTOL FOR RINGO turned out to be a lot better than I was expecting it too and a lot of the credit has to go to writer-director Duccio Tessari. What really sets this film apart from the countless other Spaghetti Westerns is the fact that this one here seems to be spoofing the genre. No, it's not a laugh riot but there's no question that the film has fun with the various trappings that these films usually have.
One thing I really loved was the over-the-top badness from the bandits as they'd really shoot anyone and anything including shooting people in the back. The film was never cruel or mean about it and in fact all of the violence is done in a rather funny manner. The back and forth between Gemma and Fernando Sancho as the main bad guy is also priceless as the two just perfectly work off one another. Their non-stop back and forth is a lot of fun and certainly helps carry the film.
Having the film set around Christmas time was another interesting touch and then you've got Ennio Morricone great score. Throw in the top-notch cinematography and you've certainly got a very entertaining gem. There are a few flaws in the film but there's no question that overall it's a winner