Deaf Smith & Johnny Ears (1973)
"Los amigos" (original title)

Set in 1830's Texas just after the Republic won its independence from Mexico. The Republic's future is in doubt, with various factions and foreign powers hoping to sway matters to their own... See full summary »

Director:

Paolo Cavara

Writers:

Lucia Brudi, Paolo Cavara,

Stars:

Franco Nero, Anthony Quinn, Pamela Tiffin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Franco Nero	...	Johnny Ears
Anthony Quinn	...	Erastus 'Deaf' Smith
Pamela Tiffin	...	Susie the hooker
Ira von Fürstenberg	...	Hester McDonald Morton
Adolfo Lastretti	...	Williams
Franco Graziosi	...	Gen. Lucius Morton
Antonino Faà di Bruno	...	The Senator
Renato Romano	...	J.M. Hoffman
Francesca Benedetti	...	Mrs. Porter the Madame
Conchita Airoldi	...	Rosita McDonald (as Cristina Airoldi)
Romano Puppo	...	Bull, Morton's Goon
Franca Sciutto	...	Bess
Enrico Casadei	...	Barrett
Lorenzo Fineschi	...	James
Mario Carra	...	Corey

Storyline

Set in 1830's Texas just after the Republic won its independence from Mexico. The Republic's future is in doubt, with various factions and foreign powers hoping to sway matters to their own advantage. President Sam Houston instructs one of his agents, deaf-mute Erastus "Deaf" Smith, to infiltrate and put down one of the growing rebel factions. Accompanying him is his friend Johnny Ears, who must not only do Smith's hearing for him, but must also conceal Smith's handicap, as the rebels have intercepted a message that a deaf-mute spy is in their midst.

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Plot Keywords:

deaf mute | texas | cowboy hat | western hero | sex | 

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Taglines:

The man who hears with his eyes and speaks with his gun...

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

29 March 1973 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Deaf Smith & Johnny Ears

Filming Locations:

Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Compagnia Cinematografica, Idea Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The Gatling gun used is like nothing ever produced. The real Gatling gun wouldn't be invented until the 1860s. It fires cartridge ammunition that wouldn't be invented for decades.

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Quotes

Johnny Ears: I'm not getting myself killed for nothing!

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Connections

Referenced in Red Dead Revolver (2004)

User Reviews

Not bad...

This is not a bad little movie, of a certain 'style' that was popular when it was made.

It's loud - and violent - at times, but there-in lies a heart and whilst neither (Franco) Nero or (Anthony) Quinn show us their inner feelings, rather like a lesser Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid, there is a sort of loyal, strange chemistry between them, that like the best of friendships, work for reasons only known to them.

Unlike 'B' westerns of 20 years earlier, that almost tried too hard to get the most out of their tiny budget/bad script/untalented actor, director etc, Deaf Ears... doesn't, it just gets on with it, which is nice as we can relax and let it unfold.

Erastus 'Deaf' Smith (Anthony Quinn) is the deaf mute messenger who is hired by General Sam Houston to infiltrate a rebel faction that are trying to stop Texas becoming part of the U.S. His friend, Johnny Eras (Nero) comes to assist him with his mission.

There's the usual womanising in the cat-house that helps beef up both the lead's manliness and the male viewing numbers is there as is blowing things up.

Though the film is also known as the bland 'Los Amigos', it's often and usually goes by this far more intriguing one. I saw it on TCM (Turner Classic Movies). It says on the Radio Times website that it was in Italian, but it was not, though in hindsight I'm sure it was dubbed - and Quinn, who is multi-lingual, doesn't speak, of course. The ending and its music is quite a strange enigma, mind you.

If you're after a good, standard, straight western, I'd dither at recommending it, but if you do like your spaghetti westerns, with some sauce, then go for it.