Death Rides a Horse (1967)
"Da uomo a uomo" (original title)

In the Old West a little boy witnesses the murder of his family by gunmen and grows up with plans to track them all down, and kill them.

Director:

Giulio Petroni

Writer:

Luciano Vincenzoni (story)

Stars:

Lee Van Cleef, John Phillip Law, Mario Brega

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lee Van Cleef	...	Ryan
John Phillip Law	...	Bill Meceita
Mario Brega	...	One-Eye (Paco)
Luigi Pistilli	...	Walcott - The Bandit Leader
Anthony Dawson	...	Burt Cavanaugh
José Torres	...	Pedro (as Jose Torres)
Franco Balducci	...	Sheriff
Guglielmo Spoletini	...	Manuel - Walcott's Henchmen
Bruno Corazzari	...	Walcott's Accomplice
Felicita Fanny	...	Village girl
Ignazio Leone	...	Shepherd
Angelo Susani	...	Walcott Henchman
Carlo Pisacane	...	Holly Spring Station master
Vivienne Bocca	...	Bill Meceita's sister
Walter Giulangeli	...	Mr. Meceita, Bill's Father

Storyline

As a child, Bill witnesses the murder of his family by four robbers. Fifteen years later, he embarks on his revenge. During his quest, he crosses paths with Ryan, an ex-con who wants the money the robbers owe him.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | revenge | framed | boy | horse riding | 

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Taglines:

This is revenge... And there's nothing sweet about it!

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Genres:

Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some western violence

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

31 August 1967 (Italy)

Also Known As:

As Man to Man

Filming Locations:

La Calahorra, Granada, Andalucía, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

PEC

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original title of the film was "Duel in the Wind." Lee Van Cleef came up with the Italian title while discussing the movie with John Phillip Law who sighted the film was a "man to man" story. Van Cleef remarked, "Why don't they call it 'From Man to Man'?" The Italian producers liked how it sounded in Italian ("Da Uomo a Uomo") so much they used it. And then the film was subsequently retitled "Death Rides a Horse" in English speaking markets, which Law said he never liked.

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Goofs

When the bad guys charge the village after the fire is gone, there are lot more than there were before. Also, the same people fall off their horses in identical scenes right after each other.

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Quotes

Ryan: We both got an old account to settle with the same people. Only I want to take first crack at 'em.
Bill: We could go on together.
Ryan: No, son, you got too much hate in you. Sooner or later, that's gonna get you in trouble.
Bill: Hate is hate. There's no two ways...
Ryan: Somebody once wrote that revenge is a dish that has to be eaten cold. As hot as you are, you're liable to end with indigestion. No, I'm going on alone.

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Connections

References The Magnificent Seven (1960)

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Soundtracks

"Death Rides A Horse (Vocal version)"
Composed by Attanasio and Ennio Morricone
Performed by Raoul

User Reviews

DEATH RIDES A HORSE (Giulio Petroni, 1967) ***

This is one of the most legendary Spaghetti Western titles (also because, until recently, it was so difficult to watch in decent form having fallen into the Public Domain), a fine revenge drama well handled by former documentarist Petroni (this was his first genre effort) - though it's somewhat overlong and slowly-paced to boot!

Once again, we have the tension-filled relationship between two unlikely characters - one the experienced and betrayed ex-con Lee Van Cleef and the other the brash and hate-filled youth John Philip Law - both gunning after the same gang seeking revenge. They're not exactly allies but when one hasn't preceded the other and their paths cross, they tend to help each other out (though it's more often Van Cleef who has to watch over the still-green Law); in one memorable and oft re-used scene, the latter is interred up to his neck and left to the mercy of insects, vultures and the scorching desert sun! The villains include Euro-Cult favorite Luigi Pistilli (his role here was basically replicated for Sergio Corbucci's THE GREAT SILENCE [1968]) and veteran British actor Anthony Dawson.

The twist at the end - also one which has seen much service, particularly in recent thrillers - is very effective, threatening to dissolve the growing friendship between the two men (Van Cleef has actually come to consider Law as the son he never had!) and which compels them to a face-off (with surprising results). Ennio Morricone's odd and mostly vocal score was actually utilized by Quentin Tarantino for his KILL BILL (2003/4) saga.

I had first watched this via a PD-release and this re-acquaintance came by way of a VHS recording off Cable TV, still in an English-dubbed (though, at least, featuring the leads' own voices) pan-and-scan version; I was aware that the film had been issued on R2 DVD by MGM, though I wasn't sure if the Italian track was included. Still, in spite of the lowly price, the utter lack of extras has dissuaded me from a purchase - given that it's yet to receive an official release on R1 and it may very well turn up in a SE from Italy (the director's subsequent film, TEPEPA [1968; reviewed below], received the deluxe 2-Disc treatment, with Petroni himself contributing an intermittent Audio Commentary!)...