Jonathan degli orsi
From The Spaghetti Western Database
Jonathan degli orsi (Italy/Russia 1993 / Director: Enzo G. Castellari)
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- Run Time: 120 min
- Release Date: 20.4.95
- Shot in Russia
Also known as
Jonathan of the bears | Die Rache des weißen Indianers (Germany) | Dzhonatan - drug medvedey (Russia) | Jonathan E o Urso (Brazil)
Cast and crew
Franco Nero (Jonathan), John Saxon (Fred Goodwin), Floyd `Red Crow` Westerman (Chief Tawanka), David Hess (Maddock), Rodrigo Obregón, Clive Riche (Musician), Ennio Girolami (as Ennio Girolamo), Bobby Rhodes (Williamson), Marie Louise Sinclair (Brothel Madam), Boris Khmelnitsky , Knifewing Segura (Chatow), Melody Robertson (Shaya), Igor Alimov (Jonathan, as a boy), Viktor Gajnov (as Victor Gainov)
- Producer: Franco Nero, Vittorio Noia, Alexandre Skodo
- Story by: Franco Nero, Lorenzo de Luca
- Screenplay: Franco Nero , Lorenzo de Luca, Enzo G. Castellari
- Photographer: Mikhail Agranovitch (Eastmancolor - Panoramico 1,66:1)
- Music: Clive Riche, Aleksandr Belyayev, Fabio Costantino, Knifewing Segura
Synopsis
Jonathan Kowalski (Franco Nero) saw the murder of his parents as a child. At the time he was able to flee into a bear cave, where he was ultimately found by local resident Indians... The Indians adopt the boy and treat him like one of their own. Kowalski actually winds up marrying Indian woman Shaya (Melody Robertson). But Kowalski's heart does not find peace. The white Indian is determined to track down the murderers of his parents. The arrival of money hungry oil baron Goodwin (John Saxon), who wishes to exploit the sacred land of the Indians, interferes with Kowalski's quest.
Reviews
With a nod to Sergio Leone, this film, bills itself the first "borscht Western," It was photographed in Russia with a cast of Russians, Italians, and Americans. The story follows the past and present life of Jonathan. When he was only six, Jonathan watched while thieves killed his parents. The orphan found a playful friend in a bear-cub. He was then found and adopted by an Indian chief who preferred Jonathon to his own son, Chatow. The rivalry between the boys continued into adulthood. The adult, Jonathan became a legend for his prowess with the bow and arrow and his gallant rescues. He still searches for his parent's killers. Fred Goodwin leads a gang of greedy oil-claim jumpers who terrorize a town. When Goodwin finds oil in the Indian burial ground where the chief lies buried, a vicious war begins. Jonathan comes to town trailing a captured Indian maiden and ends up being crucified by Goodwin. He is saved by a former member of the gang. Jonathan exacts his bloody revenge. - unknown
Despite the nice locations, the decent cinematography and Franco Nero, the film is an unbelievable drag, especially the first half. The plot meanders along and the amount of flashbacks to Jonathan's past is almost unbearable, so is the meaningless yadayada by the very Taijik-looking Indians. The movie gets better in the second half, but only if you haven't fallen asleep by then. Worth watching just to check it off your list, but if you're into late spaghetti western reunions, you should try Keoma --Sebastian 21:45, 2 September 2008 (UTC)
DVD
Available in Italy (non-English)
