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gareth633
Reviews
Sartana nella valle degli avvoltoi (1970)
Better than expected
Pleasantly surprised by this one because it has a very poor reputation. In fact it's a slightly flawed but enjoyable western with a simple, easy to follow story which i wont repeat here but it holds your interest where some westerns can veer toward the confused (Return of Sabata for instance).
The late great William Berger is given a leading role for a change and apart from his terrible dubbing is very good. More of an anti hero than a good guy. Definitely not Sartana in fact he isn't called by this name at any point in the whole film as far as I could tell. Similar black wardrobe but otherwise a different man.
Decent gun-play, the agile Berger leaping about blasting away at his adversaries as he usually does. Still don't know why half the street at beginning explodes when he shoots the ground though, maybe some of the plot ended up on the cutting room floor that explains this because the editing is very jumpy. Perhaps he has exploding bullets or hid some dynamite there earlier! Daft! I nearly spilt my beer when it happened. However, the version i saw was apparently missing about 15 minutes so that definitely would explain the choppy editing.
Good fun though and the action sequences are reasonably well spread though the film so it does not ever get boring. There isn't anything fancy or original, just the usual gun fights, punch ups and explosions, but done well enough.
Unfortunately the theme song is really dreadful, thankfully its only really sung over the opening credits and after that just a short burst later on by a saloon singer. The incidental music is better, though fairly nondescript. Does the job.
The other actors are adequate, familiar face Franco Ressel is there as a villain but doesn't last long. No really terrible performances, though the dubbing is particularly poor.
It seems to be a very low budget picture so as as other people have commented the 'Valley of Death' in the title is a bit unimpressive. Bit too much foliage for death valley, it looks more of an abandoned building site than a desert, but they did the best they could i suppose. Most of the action takes place in greener pastures.
As for the climax to the film it is good and satisfying end to a very enjoyable spaghetti western experience. If you prepare yourself for something more modest and lower budget, you will not be disappointed.
Not bad at all!
The Soldier (1982)
Very enjoyable
Probably the best Glickenhaus film, great action sequences, over the top yes, but a lot of fun. Especially the beginning and the plutonium theft scenes.
The only downsides are the film drags slightly in the middle and Klaus Kinski has a minuscule role. Only gets one line I think. No great acting performances but action speaks louder than words in these sort of films and there is plenty. A ninja sequence with Steve James is a bit wasted as this angle could have been used more throughout the film i think, maybe in the assault on the missile base? Apart from those minor points it is overall a very good and underrated film. Certainly worth watching.
The Protector (1985)
Jackie Chan movie for people who don't like Jackie Chan movies
This film generally gets bad reviews, mostly it seems from Jackie Chan fans. It is a more 'American' type of action film and if like me you do not like the usual lighthearted Chan films then you may well like this as it is a lot more serious.
Pleasantly surprised by this one, great action scenes. Pretty violent and very little or no slapstick comedy!!! Chan gives a fairly poor performance in this but then he not the best actor in the world anyway and it does not really matter. His fight scenes are very good, though not as elaborate as in his other films. This makes the whole thing more realistic, with more emphasis on bloody gunfights and explosions as is typical of James Glickenhaus' work.
Not bad at all. Enjoyable.
Circle of Iron (1978)
Nice scenery, and that's it
Wasn't sure what to expect with this one. It was either going to be great or awful.
It's awful.
Bruce Lee fans will no doubt love the Zen philosophy aspects to this pretentious fantasy film that at least boasts amazing locations, but the whole thing is just a mess. David Carradine is very irritating in this whether with it's his fortune cookie words of wisdom , god awful acting in about 4 roles or with his terrible martial arts 'skills'. The whole film feels like an ego boosting project for him really. Christopher Lee and Eli Wallach just embarrass themselves by appearing in this, even though they give good performances in their small roles. At least Roddy McDowell gets away a bit more lightly as his appearance is a 'blink and you'll miss it' job.
Mind you if you want to watch David Carradine lurching about playing a kung fu chimp it's a must see. If my memory serves me correctly no other motion picture can boast David Carradine lurching about playing a kung fu chimp. That's right, a Kung Fu Chimp.
Monkey magic. not.
Give it a wide berth. Very poor indeed.
Il cittadino si ribella (1974)
Not the typical vigilante film
A bit different to the usual vigilante films, half expected something like Death Wish, the Exterminator or The Big Racket (Which are all great films by the way) and instead it's something a bit more realistic and well thought out. Maybe the action sequences should have been more evenly spread through the film though. What makes it different to the other films is the main character doesn't wipe out hundreds of punks, it is more a story of his calculated revenge and builds it's story up more steadily. Franco Nero plays the most haphazard, cack-handed vigilante ever but is great in the role, certainly more expressive than Robert Ginty in the Exterminator. Not that that's difficult mind. His character is obsessed with revenge and it is well portrayed. It is easy to sympathise with his character and it is engrossing watching him get his revenge. Nero does a lot of his own stunts too including some great stuff with him getting chased and knocked down by a Ford Mustang in slo mo. How he didn't get killed or crippled is incredible.
Talking of cars poor Franco has to make do with an Austin Allegro through most of the film.
Anyway to summarise a good solid well acted film, quite violent, great music score, very well staged action sequences and satisfying climax.
Very much worth a watch.
Paura in città (1976)
Very good
If you are a fan of the Euro-crime type films then this a typical violent outing that delivers a lot in 90ish minutes running time. Merli plays the usual tough cop Dirty Harry type role, and gets a decent motorbike chase that is a highlight. I certainly disagree with comments that the film is dull as there's plenty of great action sequences. There is less plot than say 'The Marseille Connection' (High Crimes) or other similar films though. Merli is good in this film, though naturally dubbed. He's great in the action scenes especially the fights! It's more than can be said for an clearly ill at ease James Mason, who acts like he'd rather be somewhere else.
Its a shame this genre of films is difficult to come by (certainly in the UK) and the copy i've watched is the grainy '23rd Century' release which i gather is missing footage at the start. Even so it's definitely worth a watch if you can track it down.
Recommended.
La polizia incrimina la legge assolve (1973)
Great polizia action
One of the best 1970s Italian police films out there. The great Franco Nero overacts like hell in some scenes and is excellent in others (also has a terrible wardrobe in this one!) but who cares, you cant beat a bit of Nero. Pretty violent ( the attack with bailing hooks at the dockyard stands out) and its quite well plotted. Brilliant car chase at the start and it's great to see the 60's / 70's Alpha's, Lancias etc in these films and its certainly part of the attraction with them.
The alternative title of 'Marseiile Connection' is obviously trying to cash in on the French Connection, but it isn't very similar and is more action orientated. Overall i would say a very satisfying and enjoyable film.