The Grand Duel (1972)

A grizzled ex-sheriff helps a man framed for murder to confront the powerful trio of brothers who want him dead.

Director:

Giancarlo Santi

Writer:

Ernesto Gastaldi

Stars:

Lee Van Cleef, Alberto Dentice, Jess Hahn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lee Van Cleef	...	Sheriff Clayton
Alberto Dentice	...	Philip Vermeer (as Peter O'Brien)
Jess Hahn	...	Bighorse the Stagecoach Driver
Horst Frank	...	David Saxon / Patriarch Samuel Saxon
Klaus Grünberg	...	Adam Saxon (as Klaus Grunberg)
Antonio Casale	...	Holk (as Antony Vernon)
Marc Mazza	...	Sheriff Eli Saxon
Dominique Darel	...	Elizabeth
Alessandra Cardini	...	Anita (as Sandra Cardini)
Gastone Pescucci	...	Borghese the Caretaker
Elvira Cortese	...	Madame Oro
Anna Maria Gherardi	...	Saxon's Girl
Hans Terofal	...	Jo Barrel
Salvatore Baccaro	...	Saloon Servant
Remo Capitani	...	Bounty Killer (as Ray O'Connor)

Storyline

Philipp Wermeer has been framed for the murder of a powerful figure known as The Patriarch. Wermeer escapes, but the three Saxon brothers, sons of The Patriarch, have arranged for a large bounty on Wermeer's head. Clayton is a grizzled ex-sheriff stripped of his office in Jefferson after refusing to acknowledge Wermeer's guilt. During a series of fire-fights, Clayton contrives to help Wermeer escape from attacks of bounty-hunters. Together, the two make their way to Jefferson, where they can confront the three powerful Saxon brothers, and reveal the surprising truth about who killed The Patriarch.

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Plot Keywords:

spaghetti western | italo western | murder | bounty hunter | child killed | 

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Taglines:

Telly Savalas - Lee Van Cleef - The two meanest men alive! [double bill with "Crime Boss"]

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Genres:

Western

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Among the many westerns that can be watched for free on "Fawesome" (Forever Awesome TV & Movies) through Roku and other streaming services.

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Goofs

Modern high-voltage transmission towers are clearly visible behind the Saxon brothers during the climactic showdown.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Madame Oro, Stage Passenger: Hey Driver, can't you put the fear of God into those mules of yours?

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Alternate Versions

UK versions are cut by 5 secs to remove shots of a horsefall.

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Connections

Referenced in Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the '70s (2012)

User Reviews

Actually, the film was shot in multiple languages

The post above that states that this film was shot in English is only partially correct. Each of the characters spoke their own language, and the script was available in quite a few. How do I know -- I am the deputy who goes up to the stagecoach and gets used as Lee van Cleef's coat rack. Lee and Jess did speak English, but the people in the stagecoach spoke mostly Italian. The bounty hunters spoke a multitude of languages, one even spoke Serbo Croatian. Do not know about the speaking any of the cast after the stage left Gila Bend, that was the only part I saw. I was a young Army Officer in Italy and had the opportunity (along with one of my NCOs -- Bill on the rack with the Gila Bend sign) to play the role of the deputies in the beginning of the film. It was an opportunity I will always remember. Lee was a true gentleman, Jess was a hoot, and Lee's stuntman/double, X Brand (Pahoo in the Series Yancy Derringer) was an extremely nice person. I will always remember being in this great film

Details

Country:

Italy West Germany France Monaco

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Storm Rider

Filming Locations:

Elios Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mount Street Film, Corona Filmproduktion, Terra-Filmkunst

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1