The Unhanged (1971)
"Hirttämättömät" (original title)

Two outlaws, The Lonely Rider and the Indian Tonto, have caught (at least they think they have) Speedy Gonzales, a ruthless gunfighter from the town of Njietponimaistadi. They start to ... See full summary »

Directors:

Vesa-Matti Loiri, Spede Pasanen

Writer:

Spede Pasanen

Stars:

Vesa-Matti Loiri, Simo Salminen, Spede Pasanen

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Vesa-Matti Loiri	...	Lonely Rider
Simo Salminen	...	Tonto
Spede Pasanen	...	Speedy Gonzales
Pirjo Laitila	...	Margareta Smith
Evita Wager	...	Intiaanityttö
Heli Lehtonen	...	Intiaanityttö
Olavi Ahonen	...	Sheriffi
Jaakko Talaskivi	...	Mies Juomapaikalla
Pentti Taivainen	...	Mies Juomapaikalla

Storyline

Two outlaws, The Lonely Rider and the Indian Tonto, have caught (at least they think they have) Speedy Gonzales, a ruthless gunfighter from the town of Njietponimaistadi. They start to travel to another town for the reward, through the desert without water and fighting against Indians. And just to find out that they have made a full circle back to origin.

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Plot Keywords:

outlaw | water | desert | reward | wagon | 

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Genres:

Western | Comedy

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Details

Country:

Finland

Language:

Finnish

Release Date:

27 August 1971 (Finland)

Also Known As:

The Unhanged

Filming Locations:

Porvoo, Finland

Box Office

Budget:

FIM 392,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmituotanto Spede Pasanen

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film was most watched in Finland in 1971, but still the gross was 132,000 FIM less than the budget.

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Quotes

Speedy Gonzales: To be tighten up is least what a prisoner can demand, or?

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Connections

Spoofs The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

User Reviews

Best western comedy ever!

Hirttämättömät (=Unhangables) is a Finnish western comedy with road movie elements. Lonely Rider and his (mostly) faithful sidekick Tonto try to transport so-called criminal Speedy Gonzales for hanging in hope for a hefty reward. Little do they know... after some major problems they all end up crossing a hot and long desert with their entire water supply depleted. Or has it?

The whole story relies on the three hilarious main characters but mainly on Lonely Rider (played by Vesa-Matti Loiri). His already great performance gains even funnier sides as he goes almost literally crazy with lack of water. Unlike cunning and cool Speedy or simple but calculating Tonto, Lonely Rider is so boastful, loud, greedy and plainly foolish that you just have to instantly love him. And yeah, all the worst things seem to happen to him.

If you're expecting a realistic western set, don't bother. As earlier stated, this movie was shot almost entirely on sandpits. Such a lovely place as Finland just doesn't have arid and wasted places good enough for fine looking western scenes. Never mind that. It's not the plot (or the scenes) you should think about, it's the journey itself!

This is a national treasure.