|
Post by john on Mar 27, 2013 18:18:35 GMT
6. A Fistful Of Dollars
Though there had been a few spaghetti oaters before it, this is the one that really spurred things forward.
I consider it the least of the DOLLARS trilogy, but it's still a fine film. Eastwood gives his all to Leone's direction, and it's a great mixture. It is a bit slow in places, but I love it from beginning to end. I especially like the scenes with the mule at the start of the movie.
You also have to mention Ennio Morricone's excellent soundtrack. I'm currently listening to it, and it's a very good album. I highly recommend it, along with the film.
This one is easily had on DVD. But if you want to spend the extra few bucks, pick up the SE. It's loaded with interviews and BTS material that will please any fan.
|
|
|
Post by john on Mar 28, 2013 13:35:41 GMT
5. Django
Franco Nero delivers as our main character. Though he's a riff on the Man With No Name (and which Spaghetti Western anti-hero isn't?), he some comes across as his own man.
Though the film loses a lot of energy once Django reveals what he's carting around in his coffin, it makes up for lost energy in the final reels. You can feel the pain in Nero's busted hands as he lays in that cemetery for the upcoming gunfight.
This movie can easily be had on DVD.
Highly recommended.
|
|
|
Post by john on Mar 28, 2013 18:17:06 GMT
4. Once Upon A Time In The West
Though I feel Leone did it better with a few other films (which I'll get to), there's no denying the impact that ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST has. One could even argue that it was the death knell for spaghetti oaters. Everything that came in its wake paled by comparison.
This one employs Charles Bronson as Harmonica, and Henry Fonda as our resident bad guy. Both of them do excellent work in this film, making what is essentially a very long film breeze past you. It's a wonder to watch them work.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST is available on DVD. There's a SE that includes interviews and BTS fragments that I highly recommend. But, either way you go, you can't lose with this film.
Highly recommended.
|
|
|
Post by john on Mar 29, 2013 15:40:12 GMT
3. For A Few Dollars More
Sergio Leone returns to familiar ground with this sequel. I won't go into the plot, as I'm sure the majority of you have seen it, but I have to say that it's excellent. Eastwood is good as the Man With No Name, but Lee Van Cleef eclipses him as Colonel Mortimer.
This one is easily available on DVD both as a regular release and a SE. The special edition is packed with extras and I'd recommend it, but you can't go wrong either way.
|
|
|
Post by john on Mar 30, 2013 17:59:55 GMT
2. The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
What can be said about this film that hasn't already been covered? It's simply a masterpiece.
I will go out on a limb and say that Eli Wallach, like Lee Van Cleef in FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE, is the true star here. His breathing life into Tuco is magnificent.
Plus, you have the beautiful Ennio Morricone soundtrack. "The Ecstacy of Gold" is my personal favorite bit of spaghetti oater music.
This one is easily available on DVD. And yes, there's a stacked SE of it that I recommend. However you go, though, you can't lose.
Highly recommended.
|
|
|
Post by limeyf on Mar 30, 2013 18:26:26 GMT
It will be interesting to see your #1 Your reviews have made interesting reading I think in this #2 were there not some spring boing type sounds in the sound track? that to me is a little off putting? I do have all the Clint movies and enjoy them. I wonder if your #1 will be Hang em High? or is that not a Sp we ;D
|
|
|
Post by john on Mar 30, 2013 18:32:15 GMT
No, HANG'EM HIGH isn't a spaghetti oater. It's purely American.
And I'm listening to the GBU soundtrack as I type this. It's excellent. If you're interested, hunt down the Italian import. It's worth every penny.
|
|
|
Post by limeyf on Mar 30, 2013 18:41:31 GMT
went to Youtube and have it on as I type, thanks John ;D
|
|
|
Post by john on Mar 30, 2013 18:43:34 GMT
You're more than welcome, my friend.
|
|
|
Post by Steve M on Mar 30, 2013 19:31:18 GMT
I think it could be The Big Silence.
|
|
|
Post by john on Mar 31, 2013 13:51:44 GMT
1.The Great Silence
As Steve correctly guessed, this isn't much of a shocker. Not only is it my favorite oater, but it's one of my favorite films... period.
Sergio Corbucci is firing on all-cylinders with this outing. And the Ennio Morricone soundtrack is haunting. I also like that this one employs Luigi Pistilli, not to mention Mario Brega and Klaus Kinski.
And the ending... wow. It still floors me. I love showing this to the uninitiated and watching their expressions during those final scenes.
This one is available on DVD. Beware, though, that some of the extras ruin the ending. So make sure to watch the film first if you pick it up.
Highly recommended.
|
|
|
Post by acehigh on Apr 10, 2013 21:45:34 GMT
A great top 20, john. Here's a few I like that didn't make your list:
10,000 Dollars Blood Money starring Gianni "John" Garko The Big Gundown with Lee Van Cleef and Tomas Milan (I noticed this one has it's own thread here) The Forgotten Pistolero with Leonard Mann A Reason to Live, A Reason to Die starring the great James Coburn and Telly Savalas
|
|
|
Post by john on Apr 11, 2013 13:51:12 GMT
Those are all good choices, too! From your list, I really like the Garko and A REASON TO LIVE, A REASON TO DIE. Saying that, I really need to watch it again. It's bee a few years since I last took it for a spin.
|
|
|
Post by gringo on Apr 18, 2013 13:18:19 GMT
Managed to get hold of a copy of the Great Silence on your recommendation Thanks for not spoiling the ending too, a nice gritty film. Thanks for the list, off to find some more now...
|
|
|
Post by john on Apr 18, 2013 13:22:25 GMT
Glad to hear you liked it! I wish I could have the experience of seeing it for the first time again...
|
|