(Only minor spoilers if at all here, just wanted to warn you) I saw this movie listed as one to see out of Lucio Fulci works so I had to go out and find it.
Now it's pretty rough at a lot of parts; Raw, violent, but then not all that unusual for movies of the period 1975' and for Westerns in general as there is often a major (read violent) revenge element(s).
Some neat things about this movie. I actually live close to some of the the named areas of the film (although the actual movie was filmed in Spain, Italy and Austria). Altaville, California is an actual small old mining town. It's just past historic Angels Camp, California. While there is not much historic buildings left (the old school house comes to mind), unlike Angels Camp that has quite a bit remaining. Also "Poker Flat" is a near by town (very little remaining) and I'm sure there are others.
All these real locations shouldn't be that surprising though as Bret Harte is a well known and prolific writer who lived here. He's up there with the likes of Mark Twain (who also lived in the area for a while). Many locations here in this area are named after him (Harte). While doubtful the events from the movie are actual, undoubtedly he based them on real people as are the locations real.
One of the best scenes, one of the most real, was towards the end when the baby was delivered. As it was true back in the gold rush days there were very few women and children here. I'm sure the whole town(s) would have been delighted at the blessed birth of a child. It was a touching moment and added a nice contrast between the over the top violence and roughness; as were the scenes where the protagonist learned to Love and protect the poor misguided girl. Maybe a lot of the men of the old west were rough & tough characters (living out in the elements, working long hard hours) but they were still human. This is the greatness of Lucio Fulci to bring out these extremes.
Great classic Western film, highly recommended.
Now it's pretty rough at a lot of parts; Raw, violent, but then not all that unusual for movies of the period 1975' and for Westerns in general as there is often a major (read violent) revenge element(s).
Some neat things about this movie. I actually live close to some of the the named areas of the film (although the actual movie was filmed in Spain, Italy and Austria). Altaville, California is an actual small old mining town. It's just past historic Angels Camp, California. While there is not much historic buildings left (the old school house comes to mind), unlike Angels Camp that has quite a bit remaining. Also "Poker Flat" is a near by town (very little remaining) and I'm sure there are others.
All these real locations shouldn't be that surprising though as Bret Harte is a well known and prolific writer who lived here. He's up there with the likes of Mark Twain (who also lived in the area for a while). Many locations here in this area are named after him (Harte). While doubtful the events from the movie are actual, undoubtedly he based them on real people as are the locations real.
One of the best scenes, one of the most real, was towards the end when the baby was delivered. As it was true back in the gold rush days there were very few women and children here. I'm sure the whole town(s) would have been delighted at the blessed birth of a child. It was a touching moment and added a nice contrast between the over the top violence and roughness; as were the scenes where the protagonist learned to Love and protect the poor misguided girl. Maybe a lot of the men of the old west were rough & tough characters (living out in the elements, working long hard hours) but they were still human. This is the greatness of Lucio Fulci to bring out these extremes.
Great classic Western film, highly recommended.