Keoma

The 'Spaghetti Western' Masterpiece From The Producer Of DJANGO
Franco Nero (DJANGO, THE FIFTH CORD) is KEOMA, a half-breed gunfighter weary of killing as a way of life. But when he returns to his troubled childhood home, Keoma is caught in a savage battle between innocent settlers, sadistic bandits and his vengeful half-brothers. In a wasteland gone mad with rage and pain, can one man massacre his way to redemption?

KEOMA is an extraordinary combination of potent symbolism, powerful performances and relentless violence, brilliantly directed by Enzo G. Castellari (STREET LAW, THE BIG RACKET). Woody Strode (ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST), William Berger (DJANGO STRIKES AGAIN) and Olga Karlatos (ZOMBIE) co-star in this one-of-a-kind classic that fans and critics consider to be one of the greatest 'Spaghetti Westerns' of all time.

DVD Extras

Audio Commentary with Director Enzo G. Castellari and Journalist Waylon Wahl
Keoma: Legends Never Die - Interview with Star Franco Nero
Theatrical Trailer
Talent Bios

Tech Specs

Color
Dolby Digital Mono
English
2.35:1 / 16x9
1976
101 Mins
Not Rated
Region Code: 0



Keoma returns home after the end of the Civil War, battered, and weary, to touch the place he was from, in an effort to find himself after the carnage of the war. He finds his town under some sort of quarantine for plague, enforced by a greedy land buyer, who is not allowing any one in or out of town, even to get help or supplies. The sick are taken to an old mine camp, and left to fend for themselves while they sicken and die. It seems that the plan is to wait until everyone ahs died of this illness, then re do the town as he sees fit. He is aided in this by a bevy of ex-confederate soldiers and local gunslingers, three of whom are Keoma's half-brothers. After paying a visit to his father, on the farm, beset with memories, Keoma resolves to free the town from the clutches of the evil ones. madness and gun fights ensue.


OK movie, not my favorite, but not the worst western I've seen either. The elements of the movie that worked for me the best were the quasi spiritual/familial motivations fo the main character. Raised in his fathers home with his three half-brothers, a young halfbreed Indian boy is taught about life and survival by his father, a family slave, and his half-brothers, who simply hated him on sight.

So this poor guy basically goes home to rest after a long war, and begins getting hassled before he's downed his first shot of whiskey in the town saloon. Bound to piss anyone off. But they are family too, dammit! So whats a crackshot half breed commando home from the war to do? Turn the other cheek perhaps? Join forces witht he cabal currently running things? If you said "hell no!" youd be right. Keoma starts by rescuing a pregnant widow, and attempting to get her something to drink. Which leads, oddly enough, to a few dead bodies scattered around the bar. There ARE some really cool shots in the film, one where he and his father are engaged in a bit of nostalgic target practice. The shot is from the INSIDE of a wooden barrel, and the scene comes into view ad bullet holes perforate the wooden slats allowing the camera to show the shooters. The second shot that i realy liked, occured at the onset of a gunfight where Keoma was explaining his offer of 4 cents payment for the medication to the blackmailing gunfighters, "the price of four bullets, you see.". The shot is from Keoma's POV, of his own hand holding four fingers up in the air, lowering a finger as he counts down. One, and a finger comes down, showing one of the gunfighters, who was hidden by the same finger while it was up, Two, same thing, finger comes down, and theres another bad guy right there. Same for three and four. Very well set up shot! I noticed that the costumes in this film were very very raggedy and filthy, as fitting for a down on its heals mining town. Which was nice, as I personally HATE it when you have a bunch of dust blowing round a clap board town and everyone is walking around immaculate with shiny shoes and bright white shirts, like the dirt just doesnt touch them. The old west was DIRTY dammit, and this movie shows that very well.
Its a good movie, just not my fav, is all, but RUN MAN RUN is going to be REALLY hard to beat as my spaghetti western chart topper. Check the www.blue-underground.com
site for all the trailers etc, and I hope you enjoyed this latest review!
thanx!