A Bullet for the General (1967)

A band of Mexican gun-runners employed by a revolutionary general accept an American into their gang, unaware of his intentions.

Director:

Damiano Damiani

Writers:

Salvatore Laurani (story and screenplay), Franco Solinas (adaptation)

Stars:

Gian Maria Volontè, Klaus Kinski, Martine Beswick

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gian Maria Volontè	...	El Chuncho Muños / El Chuncho Niños (as Gian Maria Volonté)
Klaus Kinski	...	El Santo
Martine Beswick	...	Adelita
Lou Castel	...	Bill 'Niño' Tate / Bill 'Niño' Taylor
Jaime Fernández	...	Gen. Elías (as Jaime Fernandez)
Andrea Checchi	...	Don Felipe
Spartaco Conversi	...	Eufemio
Joaquín Parra	...	Picaro (as Joaquin Parra)
Aldo Sambrell	...	Lt. Alvaro Ferreira
José Manuel Martín	...	Raimundo (as José Manuel Martin)
Santiago Santos	...	Guapo
Valentino Macchi	...	Train Engineer

Storyline

In the rough years of the revolution in Mexico, the hardened bandit chief, El Chucho, is in need of arms, ammunition, and a much-sought-after machine gun to support the leader of the revolution, the rebel General, Elías. With this in mind, Chucho attacks a government supply train and gets an unforeseen assistance from Bill Tate--the American gringo in the impeccable suit--with whom will soon become friends. Now, Bill is truly indispensable to the gang, however, could he be hiding his true objective behind a boyish and calm face?

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Plot Keywords:

bandolero | spaghetti western | mexican revolution | mexican general | sonora mexico | 

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Taglines:

A soldier of fortune whose treasure is death.

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Genres:

Action | Western

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Certificate:

M

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian Spanish English

Release Date:

September 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Bullet for the General

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

M. C. M.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min (International Cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

It is rumored --to the point of almost being a legend--that director Damiano Damiani became so frustrated with Gian Maria Volontè and Klaus Kinski, two actors who were notorious for being difficult to work with, that one day they pushed him so hard that he beat them and whipped them on the set until they finally behaved and did as they were told.

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Quotes

[International version]
El Chuncho: [after learning how Tate manipulated him] Niño, you're a very intelligent boy. And you never make mistakes, huh?
Bill 'Niño' Tate: You can save the compliments. Jump on, the train's leaving.
El Chuncho: You've been a... very good friend to me, haven't you? Isn't that true? I like you.
[Tate chuckles]
El Chuncho: And it's a shame I have to kill you.
Bill 'Niño' Tate: Will you stop...?
El Chuncho: [grunting while trying to pull his gun out of his suit] No, no, Niño. I'm finishing.
Bill 'Niño' Tate: But Chuncho, that's nonsense. I made you into a rich man. Why do ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Red Dead Revolver (2004)

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Soundtracks

Ya Me Voy
(uncredited)
Written by Luis Bacalov
Performed by Ramon Mereles
Courtesy of EMI General Music srl

User Reviews

My favourite non-Sergio Leone spaghetti western.

'A Bullet For The General' is my favourite non-Sergio Leone spaghetti western. It actually has some connection with Leone as it was directed by Damiano Damiani, who Leone later co-directed 'A Genius, Two Friends and an Idiot' with, and stars Gian Maria Volonte who fans will recognize from 'A Fistful Of Dollars' and 'For A Few Dollars More'. On top of that the legendary Klaus Kinski, who was also in 'For A Few Dollars more' (as well as many other spaghetti westerns) plays Volonte's brother. One thing I should point out is that despite Kinski getting second billing, and having his photo alone splashed all over the cover of the video I watched, he's not in the movie all that much, so be warned. Volonte's REAL co-star is Lou Castel, best known to me from his work in 'Orgasmo' and 'Killer Nun'. Castel plays "Gringo" a mysterious American who ingratiates himself into a gang of bandits led by El Chuncho (Volonte) after a train robbery. El Chuncho takes an immediate liking to Gringo and they joins forces, selling weapons to Mexican revolutionaries. Volonte and Castel make a terrific duo, as good as Eastwood and Wallach in 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly'. Klaus Kinski as I say has little screen time, but is always a pleasure to watch, and plays an unusual role for him, the saintly El Santo. Added to that is the presence of the stunning Martine Beswicke ('One Million Years BC', 'Dr Jekyll And Sister Hyde'), one of the most beautiful actresses of all time. Boy, do I never get tired of looking at her! 'A Bullet For The General' works as exciting entertainment, but the relationship between the two main characters is interesting, and the atmospheric background of the Mexican Revolution (this is two years before 'The Wild Bunch' remember) makes this recommended viewing. Finally, the ending is a killer, and El Chuncho's parting lines are unforgettable. If you've seen Leone's best westerns and 'The Wild Bunch' put 'A Bullet For The General' right at the top of your "to see" list. You won't regret it.