Django il bastardo (1969)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Sergio Garrone

Writers:

Sergio Garrone (writer)
Anthony Steffen (writer)

Release Date:

31 August 1970 (Denmark)

Genre:

Action | Thriller | Western

Plot Keywords:

Spaghetti Western | Violence | Civil War | Character Name In Title

Cast

Anthony Steffen	...	Django
Paolo Gozlino	...	Rod Murdok
Luciano Rossi	...	Luke / Jack Murdok (as Lu Kanante)
Teodoro Corrà	...	Williams
Jean Louis	...	Howard Ross
Carlo Gaddi	...	Brett
Fred Robsahm	...	Sam Hawkens
Thomas Rudy	...	Rolan (as Tomas Rudi)
Lucia Bomez	...	Whore
Emy Rossi Scotti	...	Howard's Wife
Rada Rassimov	...	Alethea / Alida Murdok

Also Known As:

Django the Bastard
Stranger's Gundown
The Strangers Gundown (USA) (DVD box title)

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

South Africa:13V | UK:12 (1995) | USA:PG | Norway:(Banned) (1970-2003) (cinema release)

Company:

Società Europea Produzioni Associate Cinematografiche (SEPAC)

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Spaghetti West (2005) (V)

Unique and Creepy Spaghetti Western

I've read alot about "Django The Bastard" and comparisons between it and Eastwood's "High Plains Drifter". I think it's safe to say that "HPD" is not a remake of "DTB" but is is also safe to say that it at least served as the inspiration for Clint's 1972 film IMHO.

I had high expectations for "Django The Bastard" and I was definitely NOT let down. It's an at times crude and low budget affair but it has enough action, tension and chills to make it a terrific little film that just may be one of the trendsetters in the Euro Gothic Western sub-genre. The atmosphere is thick in this creepy movie and Director Sergio Garrone goes all out showing us some unique camera angles which run the full spectrum from overhead shots to close-ups to fade-in's to handheld. Very effective as is the score which at certain times is eerie enough to raise a goosebump or two. Some remarkable scenes as mentioned in other reviews including a creepy opening that is almost completely silent except for the howling wind and the memorable scene in the graveyard.

Really wonderful stuff from the little SW that could. The performances are fine and I think that anyone who is a fan of Eastwood's "High Plains Drifter" owes it to himself or herself to check this one out. It's available on DVD from VCI under it's U.S. title of "The Strangers Gundown". Easily one of my favorite Westerns.