And God said to Cain Review: Difference between revisions

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Often called Margheriti's best western, this is also a controversial movie. It's an unofficial 'remake' of another spaghetti western, made only months earlier, Salvatore Rosso's  '''''[[Pistoleros de Paso Bravo, Los|A Stranger in Paso Bravo]]'''''. Some story elements were changed, but the similarities cannot be denied or simply called coincidental, the more so because in Rosso's film [[Anthony Steffen]] plays an avenger called Gary Hamilton, while his nemesis, played by Eduardo Fajardo, is called Acombar. But a lack of originality, doesn't necessarily imply a lack of creativity. In ''And God said to Cain'' Margheriti further developed some ideas already used in his previous western, '''''[[Joko invoca Dio... e muori|Vengeance]]'''''. While in that movie the horror aspects were still rather restrained, some have suggested that Kinski's character in this movie is a ghost. In the first half hour we see Kinski gradually degenerating into a creature possessed by a craving for revenge, and when he finally arrives at the gates of Acombar Town (in the best sequence of the movie and a truly brilliant scene), he is no more than a shadow, a figure silhouetted against the horizon. In the next scene only his horse rides into town, as if the man has been swallowed by the howling winds. In true horror style, excellent use has been made of slamming windows, flapping curtains and tolling bells to create an atmosphere of terror and imminent danger. Birds start screaming when Hamilton's name is called ...  
Often called Margheriti's best western, this is also a controversial movie. It's an unofficial 'remake' of another spaghetti western, made only months earlier, Salvatore Rosso's  '''''[[Pistoleros de Paso Bravo, Los|A Stranger in Paso Bravo]]'''''. Some story elements were changed, but the similarities cannot be denied, the more so because in Rosso's film [[Anthony Steffen]] plays an avenger called Gary Hamilton, while his nemesis, played by Eduardo Fajardo, is called Acombar. But a lack of originality, doesn't necessarily imply a lack of creativity. In ''And God said to Cain'' Margheriti further developed some ideas already used in his previous western, [[Joko invoca Dio... e muori|Vengeance]]. While in that movie the horror aspects were still rather restrained, some have suggested that Kinski's character in this movie is a ghost. In the first half hour we see Kinski gradually degenerating into a creature possessed by a craving for revenge, and when he finally arrives at the gates of Acombar Town (in the film's best scene), he is no more than a shadow, a figure silhouetted against the horizon. In the next scene only his horse rides into town, as if the man has been swallowed by the howling winds. In true horror style, Margheriti uses slamming windows, flapping curtains and tolling bells to create an atmosphere of terror and imminent danger. Birds start screaming when Hamilton's name is called ...  


[[File:GodCain1.jpg|220px]]
[[File:GodCain1.jpg|220px]]


Another aspect that is pushed further here than in Margheriti's previous western, is the depiction of violence. The famous opening scene of ''Vengeance'', in which a man is about to be quartered, is frightening, but in a suggestive, not exploitative way. But in this film a priest is executed, slowly and deliberately, in front of an immobile camera, and one of the villains is literally crushed by a giant bell, in probably the most graphically violent scene you'll ever see in a spaghetti western. Margheriti also called his own film 'more Sicilian than American': with a script about betrayal and the strength of family ties, it is closer to a ''mafia'' story than a typical story set in the West. When Acombar's son, who seems a decent and mild-tempered person throughout the movie, finds out that his beloved and seemingly respectable father is a criminal, he still chooses his side, referring to the strong feelings of loyalty with the clan and the family, that lie at the base of Italian crime rings' existence. In agreement with the classical family drama, it's the father, the patriarch, who finally causes the downfall of the dynasty by killing his own successor by mistake.  
Another aspect that is pushed further here than in Margheriti's previous western, is the depiction of violence. The famous opening scene of ''Vengeance'', in which a man is about to be quartered, is frightening, but in a suggestive, not exploitative way. In this movie a priest is executed, slowly and deliberately, in front of an immobile camera, and one of the villains is literally crushed by a giant bell, in probably the most graphically violent scene you'll ever see in a spaghetti western. Margheriti also called his own film 'more Sicilian than American': with a script about betrayal and the strength of family ties, it is closer to a ''mafia'' story than a typical story set in the West. When Acombar's son, who seems a decent and mild-tempered person throughout the movie, finds out that his beloved and seemingly respectable father is a criminal, he still chooses his side, referring to the strong feelings of loyalty with the clan and the family, that lie at the base of Italian crime rings' existence. In agreement with the classical family drama, it's the father, the patriarch, who finally causes the downfall of the dynasty by killing his own successor by mistake.  




By cutting all superfluous dialogue and story elements from Salvatore Rosso's movie, that served as a model, Margheriti has managed to make a nearly completely original spaghetti western, cold, frightening, bloody, beautiful. It respects the classic dramatic unities of time, place and action: the story isn't concerned with sub-plots, is mainly set in one place, and unfolds within one terrible, stormy night. Probably only a director with a history in horror could come up with the idea of casting Kinski as a hero, albeit a hero who doesn't look his enemies in the eye but stalks them and doesn't even hesitate to shoot them in the back. As you might guess, Kinski turns in a wonderful, almost hypnotic performance. Familiar with more extrovert heavies like Sancho or Fajardo, most temporary critics weren't happy with (co-producer) Carsten as Acombar, but in retrospect his subdued performance serves the film pretty well. Marcella Michelangeli's part as the woman who betrayed her lover to live with his corrupt friend, is a little underwritten. Another let-down is the film's finale, a rather predictable homage to Orson Welles' mirror scene in ''The Lady from Shanghai''. Otherwise this is a magnificent western. Allegedly [[Clint Eastwood]] was inspired by the dark, haunting look of the film for his oscar winning '''''Unforgiven'''''.
By cutting all superfluous dialogue and story elements from Salvatore Rosso's movie, that served as a model, Margheriti has managed to make a nearly completely original spaghetti western, cold, frightening, bloody and beautiful. It respects the classic dramatic unities of time, place and action: the story isn't concerned with sub-plots, is mainly set in one place, and unfolds within one terrible, stormy night. Probably only a director with a history in horror could come up with the idea of casting Kinski as a hero, albeit a hero who doesn't look his enemies in the eye but stalks them and doesn't even hesitate to shoot them in the back. As you might guess, Kinski turns in a wonderful, almost hypnotic performance. Familiar with more extrovert heavies like Sancho or Fajardo, most temporary critics weren't happy with (co-producer) Carsten as Acombar, but in retrospect his subdued performance serves the film pretty well. Marcella Michelangeli's part as the woman who betrayed her lover to live with his corrupt friend, is a little underwritten. Another let-down is the film's finale, a rather predictable homage to Orson Welles' mirror scene in ''The Lady from Shanghai''. Otherwise this is a magnificent western. Allegedly [[Clint Eastwood]] was inspired by the dark, haunting look of the film for his oscar winning '''''Unforgiven'''''.





Revision as of 20:09, 5 May 2016


DiocainoV.jpg


Cast: Klaus Kinski, Peter Carsten, Marcella Michelageli, Antonio Cantafora, Giuliano Rafaelli, Guido Lollobrigida, Luciano Pigozzi, Lucio de Santis, Director: Antonio Margheriti

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After ten years of forced labour, for a crime he didn't commit, Gary Hamilton (Klaus Kinski) is pardoned. He was framed by his former friend Acombar, who is now married to Gary's former girlfriend Maria. In the meantime Acombar has become a local tyrant, with an army of gunmen to protect him. On the stagecoach Hamilton accidently meets Acombar's son Dick and asks the boy to tell his father about his arrival. A tornado is announced and when Hamilton approaches town the gunmen who are waiting for him are blinded by the dust raised by the heavy winds. Hamilton uses the network of underground galleries (from an Indian graveyard) to stalk his enemies and kill them one by one, helped by some of the town's people who hate Acombar.


Often called Margheriti's best western, this is also a controversial movie. It's an unofficial 'remake' of another spaghetti western, made only months earlier, Salvatore Rosso's A Stranger in Paso Bravo. Some story elements were changed, but the similarities cannot be denied, the more so because in Rosso's film Anthony Steffen plays an avenger called Gary Hamilton, while his nemesis, played by Eduardo Fajardo, is called Acombar. But a lack of originality, doesn't necessarily imply a lack of creativity. In And God said to Cain Margheriti further developed some ideas already used in his previous western, Vengeance. While in that movie the horror aspects were still rather restrained, some have suggested that Kinski's character in this movie is a ghost. In the first half hour we see Kinski gradually degenerating into a creature possessed by a craving for revenge, and when he finally arrives at the gates of Acombar Town (in the film's best scene), he is no more than a shadow, a figure silhouetted against the horizon. In the next scene only his horse rides into town, as if the man has been swallowed by the howling winds. In true horror style, Margheriti uses slamming windows, flapping curtains and tolling bells to create an atmosphere of terror and imminent danger. Birds start screaming when Hamilton's name is called ...

GodCain1.jpg

Another aspect that is pushed further here than in Margheriti's previous western, is the depiction of violence. The famous opening scene of Vengeance, in which a man is about to be quartered, is frightening, but in a suggestive, not exploitative way. In this movie a priest is executed, slowly and deliberately, in front of an immobile camera, and one of the villains is literally crushed by a giant bell, in probably the most graphically violent scene you'll ever see in a spaghetti western. Margheriti also called his own film 'more Sicilian than American': with a script about betrayal and the strength of family ties, it is closer to a mafia story than a typical story set in the West. When Acombar's son, who seems a decent and mild-tempered person throughout the movie, finds out that his beloved and seemingly respectable father is a criminal, he still chooses his side, referring to the strong feelings of loyalty with the clan and the family, that lie at the base of Italian crime rings' existence. In agreement with the classical family drama, it's the father, the patriarch, who finally causes the downfall of the dynasty by killing his own successor by mistake.


By cutting all superfluous dialogue and story elements from Salvatore Rosso's movie, that served as a model, Margheriti has managed to make a nearly completely original spaghetti western, cold, frightening, bloody and beautiful. It respects the classic dramatic unities of time, place and action: the story isn't concerned with sub-plots, is mainly set in one place, and unfolds within one terrible, stormy night. Probably only a director with a history in horror could come up with the idea of casting Kinski as a hero, albeit a hero who doesn't look his enemies in the eye but stalks them and doesn't even hesitate to shoot them in the back. As you might guess, Kinski turns in a wonderful, almost hypnotic performance. Familiar with more extrovert heavies like Sancho or Fajardo, most temporary critics weren't happy with (co-producer) Carsten as Acombar, but in retrospect his subdued performance serves the film pretty well. Marcella Michelangeli's part as the woman who betrayed her lover to live with his corrupt friend, is a little underwritten. Another let-down is the film's finale, a rather predictable homage to Orson Welles' mirror scene in The Lady from Shanghai. Otherwise this is a magnificent western. Allegedly Clint Eastwood was inspired by the dark, haunting look of the film for his oscar winning Unforgiven.


Corresponding Review: A Stranger in Paso Bravo Review


Simon Gelten
Simon Gelten is a long time contributor to the SWDb. "I'm not as old as Tom B. but I'm working on it. I hope to catch up with him by the end of the next decade.", he says. Simon saw all movies by Sergio Leone and several by Sergio Corbucci in cinema, most of the time in Eindhoven, the city where he was born. Currently, Simon is living in Turnhout, Belgium. Simon is active within the database as both Scherpschutter and his alter ego Tiratore Scelto.
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