Blood for a Silver Dollar

While "Blood For A Silver Dollar" is far from the worst spaghetti western made, I have to admit that all the same it failed to rouse me - and I usually LOVE spaghetti westerns! It felt interchangeable from the countless spaghetti westerns I had seen before watching it. I think the main reason for that is the script. The story doesn't contain any surprises - you'll always be one step ahead of the hero and the other characters from seeing the same situations in other spaghetti westerns before. Apparently because of this, Giuliano Gemma and the rest of the cast don't seem able to bring any life to their clichéd characters. Behind the camera, director Giorgio Ferroni does manage to give the enterprise an acceptable look, but can't generate that much excitement, in part due to the fact there's little action. Recommended only for those who have never seen a spaghetti western before in their life.

Definitely not a full fledged "Spaghetti Western". "Blood for a Silver Dollar" does have some anti hero elements, but not enough to distance itself from a more "Americanized oater." When Giuliano Gemma sneaks up behind a bad guy, and before shooting lights his cigar for him, I was suddenly take back to "For a Few dollars More." The dubbing is especially terrible in this film, the action is mostly concentrated towards the finish, and character development sorely lacking. Another weak point would be the main villain being not menacing enough. There are moments of enjoyment dealing with Confederate weapons, and a couple weak attempts at humor. "Blood for a Silver Dollar" will never be confused with a Leone Western, but is totally watchable, mostly because Gemma is so easy to like and root for. MERK.

I had the "pleasure" of watching this at a local cinema 45 years after it got made/released. I have to add that it was the German dubbed version I watched. Which added to the "party"/fun factor, because of the ridiculous dialog (not that I actually imagine that the real dialog is any better mind you). While there are clichés abound and quite a few things could be seen as sexual innuendo (between men mind you), this seems to have been the (german) lingo back then. But again this was all adding to the fun factor. But not to the factor that would make this a really good movie of course. If you have a boys night in (no pun intended) and just want to lay back and watch some crazy Western movie, you could do worse!

A wandering soldier (Guiliano Gemma (here billed Montgomery Wood)) is tricked into helping his brother be killed by a bandit disguised as a wealthy landowner who has a hold on the cowardly town. Another film made in the wake of the success of A Fistful of Dollars (1964), this has neither the style nor moodiness of the best spaghetti westerns. However, there are some unusual and effective camera angles and occasional hints at the supernatural (a precursor to Eastwood's marvelous High Plains Drifter (1973). Wood is 'killed' before it is discovered a silver dollar saved his life. The story is somehow both routine and convoluted making for a rather boring film.

Heading west, ex-Confederate Giuliano Gemma agrees to help capture a bandit, only to find out that the "outlaw is his brother and himself a patsy in an even bigger plot involving a crooked banker and a group of put-upon homesteaders. Like most of Giuliano Gemma's westerns, this isn't near the top of the heap. However, it's sturdy enough, with a lot of action, some pretty dastardly villains, and a few good plot twists. It could have used a little bit more grit and suspense in the first hour though. Also, Gemma is always fun to root for, no matter how good or bad the film is. In the beginning (sporting a beard), he looks kind of like Charleton Heston in Planet Of The Apes!

The revenge story of this movie has got an unusual twist, because the hero (Giuliano Gemma) shot his brother himself! However, that was an accident as he was hired to shoot a gunman named "Blackeye" (in the German dubbed version, good for some laughs elsewhere) and little did he know... He was supposed to die in that shootout himself as well, but a dollar coin in his pocket stopped the bullet. Later he becomes a member of the gang that now rules the town, trying to find out who is the boss responsible for all this. Shot in 1965 when spaghetti western was still fresh, this is a simple yet very entertaining movie although not a typical example for the genre, as it lacks the cynicism and ritualism of the later Django movies. But I hope no-one considers these to be necessary ingredients for a good western? Voted 7/10.

I only saw this film once in 1975 and for some reason it has stuck in my mind! The opening scene in particular. I am hoping that by writing here someone may be aware of its availability on PAL video and in English! There has to be a copy somewhere! I rememeber it being a particularly good example of this genre - ie: the "Italian Western."

Quite a good spaghetti western. Interesting performances by all concerned together with some fine photography and direction. The theme song is worth a mention as well - very haunting. Fans of the genre should try to catch up with this one.