Fifteen Scaffolds for the Killer (1968)
"Quindici forche per un assassino" (original title)

Director:

Nunzio Malasomma

Writers:

José Luis Bayonas, Mario di Nardo (screenplay),

Stars:

Craig Hill, George Martin, Susy Andersen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Craig Hill	...	Billy Mack
George Martin	...	Sandy Cassel
Susy Andersen	...	Barbara Ferguson
José Manuel Martín	...	Benny
Aldo Sambrell	...	Bud Lee
Howard Ross
Tomás Blanco	...	Clark Benett
Frank Braña	...	Adam
Antonio Casas
Álvaro de Luna	...	Amigo de Sandy
Luis Durán
Andrea Bosic
Ricardo Palacios
Giovanni Ivan Scratuglia	...	(as Ivan Giovanni Scratuglia)
Umberto Raho	...	(as Umy Raho)

Storyline

---

Plot Keywords:

pastor | brawl | fort | street shootout | beating | 

---

Genres:

Western

---

Details

Country:

Italy Spain

Language:

Italian

Also Known As:

15 Scaffolds for a Murderer

Box Office

Gross:

ESP 17,608,159 (Spain)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Centauro Films, Film Eos

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

User Reviews

Spaghetti with Chorizo Western crammed with intrigue , murders and lots of violence and action

An Italian-Spanish co-production full of action , exaggerated characters, shootouts and loads of violence . There is plenty of action in the movie , guaranteeing some shoot'em up or stunts every few minutes . There's also an interesting intrigue and whodunit with some Giallo when happens a killing spree , and the question is : Who is the killer ? For money, for pleasure, for revenge, he doesn't care why he kills or how ¡ . A family formed by a mother (Margarita Lozano) and two daughters (Eleonora Brown) is cruelly killed and are accused two different bands who are facing each other . One gang (Jose Canalejas) is led by Billy Mack (Graig Hill) and another one (Frank Braña) is commanded by Sandy Cassel (George Martin) . When the fiancé named Bud Lee (Howard Ross) of a murdered girl learns the slaughter and atrocity committed he executes a single-handedly revenge , ravages and kills each person involved in the massacre . Bud is relentless in his vendetta , deadly in his violence . Then the two bands flee and go to the town which is inhabited by important people as the Sheriff ( Antonio Molino Rojo) , the banker , the priest (Andrea Bosic), the doctor (Umberto Raho) and a gorgeous Pastor's priest named Barbara Ferguson (Susy Andersen) , among others . But Barbara is kidnapped as hostage and the bandits get away to Mexico . They arrive in a Mexican village but are besieged by a posse (Antonio Molino , Aldo Sambrell , Alvaro De Luna) formed to chase them . There takes place violent fights , facing off , hangings and final surprise about the killer's identity .

It's an exciting western with breathtaking showdown between the protagonist Graig Hill and George Martin and his hoodlums . Both of whom are fine , they ravage the screen, kill , shoot , hit and run , besides receive violent punches, kicks and hitting . Aldo Sambrell as a cruelly baddie role is terrific, he subsequently would play very secondary or minimum characters . Furthermore, there appears usual Italian/Spanish Western secondaries as Alvaro De Luna, Rafael Albaicin, Jose Canalejas , Antonio Molino Rojo , Ricardo Palacios , Jose Luis Martin and of course Frank Braña . The film blends violence , blood , tension , high body-count and it's fast moving and quite entertaining . There is a very odd implementation of shots in the camera work during some particular scenes as the film approaches its climax , as in the final gunfights and the customary showdown conclusion . There are many fine technicians and nice production design by Wolfgang Burman who creates an excellent scenario with barren outdoors , dirty landscapes under a glimmer sun and a fine set on the little town and the surrounded Mexican village . The musician Francesco De Massi composes a nice soundtrack and well conducted ; including enjoyable songs at the beginning and the end . Striking cinematography by Stelvio Massi in Eastmancolor, with negative regularly processed , being necessary a perfect remastering . Interior filmed at Roman Studios and outdoor sequences filmed in Madrid and of course Almeria, Spain.

Nunzio Malasomma's direction is well crafted and inclined toward violence and too much action . ¨Quince Horcas a Asesino¨ or ¨Fifteen scaffolds for a murderer¨ is his only Western , he also directed Peplum as 1960 The revolt of slaves , and his speciality were Drama and Adventure as 1958 Adorabili e Bugiarde ,1951 Quattro rose Rosse , 1950 Il Diavolo in convent , 1947 Il Diavolo ,1943 La Signora in Nero , 1943 In due Si Soffre Meglio ,1943 Incontri di Notte . Rating : Acceptable and passable Spaghetti Western . Worthwhile watching .