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

When men are shot the squibs are obvious beneath their shirts.

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Quotes

Johnny Ears: My old man used to say, "Take a pan of water, put some coffee in it, boil it, throw a horseshoe in it. If the horseshoe sinks, add more coffee.

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Connections

Referenced in Red Dead Revolver (2004)

User Reviews

A nice job by Mr. Anthony Quinn

It is not really a good movie. The best things are the character of Deaf Smith (Quinn), the beautiful prostitutes appearing in the film and the moves of the camera around a deaf gunman, that help us to understand how he is aware of the people around him. Anthony Quinn performance is incredible, being the most notable character without pronouncing a single word. All the scenes where he appears flows around him, even when the apparently most charming Johnny Ears (Nero) tries to be funny (sometimes he creates the opposite effect). Smith is funnier, harder and more interesting than Ears, and maybe that is the main reason to watch this film.