A Time and Place for Killing Review: Difference between revisions

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According to the director, the film was his 'version' of Howard Hawks' ''Rio Bravo'' (*1), an immensely popular Hollywood western among spaghetti western writers and directors. The theme of the of the outnumbered lawmen is blended with the spaghetti theme of the warring factions: Palmera and Meniconi dispute the western town in true mafia style; there's even the story element of 'scarring the family' when one of them abducts the other man's marriageable daughter and has his men have their way with her. There are similarities to [[Massacre Time]], which was also scripted by Dell'Aquila and Di Leo and featured a once feared gunslinger who has become a town drunk. Diehard genre fans might also think of that other permanently inebriated anti-hero from our beloved genre, Robert Woods' [[El Puro]].  
According to the director, the film was his 'version' of Howard Hawks' ''Rio Bravo'' (*1), an immensely popular Hollywood western among spaghetti western writers and directors. The theme of the of the outnumbered lawmen is blended with the spaghetti theme of the warring factions: Palmera and Meniconi dispute the western town in true mafia style; there's even the story element of 'scarring the family' when one of them abducts the other man's marriageable daughter and has his men have their way with her. There are similarities to [[Massacre Time]], which was also scripted by Dell'Aquila and Di Leo and featured a once feared gunslinger who has become a town drunk. Diehard genre fans might also think of that other permanently inebriated anti-hero from our beloved genre, Robert Woods' [[El Puro]].  


Knowing the reputation of these screenwriters, the script is a bit of a letdown. All the ingredients are there, but the theme of the warring factions is a little underdeveloped and the background story of the family and the hidden identity of one of the main characters was far better integrated into the script and narrative of Massacre Time. We eventually learn who Sobiesky really is and why Ghidra was drinking all the time, but these revelations come too late to have any emotional impact. A Time and Place for Killing is a normal spaghetti western, not good but not bad either. Of course John Wayne's boots are far too big for Sobiesky but Ghidra turns in a memorable performance as the town drunk. He perfectly knows what to do - and not to do - in a crucial scene like the one in which he pulls himself together. Most B-movie actors would overact and by consequence blow the scene. Ghidra knows that a small gesture and a grim face paint more than a thousand screams.  
Knowing the reputation of these screenwriters, the script is a bit of a letdown. All the ingredients are there, but the theme of the warring factions is a little underdeveloped and the background story of the family and the hidden identity of one of the main characters was far better integrated into the script and narrative of Massacre Time. We eventually learn who Sobiesky really is and why Ghidra was drinking all the time, but these revelations come too late to have any emotional impact. A Time and Place for Killing is a average spaghetti western, not great, but not bad either. Of course John Wayne's boots are far too big for Sobiesky but Ghidra turns in a memorable performance as the town drunk. He perfectly knows what to do - and not to do - in a crucial scene like the one in which he pulls himself together. Most B-movie actors would overact and by consequence blow the scene. Ghidra knows that a small gesture and a grim face paint more than a thousand screams.  


* Italian title: '''... e venne il tempo di uccidere''' ( ... and it was time to kill)
* Italian title: '''... e venne il tempo di uccidere''' ( ... and it was time to kill)

Revision as of 13:00, 14 October 2017

The only western directed by Vincenzo Dell'Aquila, an experienced screenwriter who had worked with the greats, among them Sergio Leone (*). Most of time he formed a screenwriters pair with the much better known Fernando Di Leo, who also contributed to the script of this movie. Anthony Ghidra is the permanently inebriated sheriff - he is known to locals as 'Tequila Joe' - who looks the other way when two rivaling gangs - headed by Mimmo Palmera and Furio Meniconi - turn his town into a battlefield. French actor Jean Sobiesky is the newly appointed deputy desperately trying to restore some law and order. Of course Ghidra redeems himself in the finale, when he smashes the bottle, picks up his guns and sides with Sobiesky to clean up the place ...

According to the director, the film was his 'version' of Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo (*1), an immensely popular Hollywood western among spaghetti western writers and directors. The theme of the of the outnumbered lawmen is blended with the spaghetti theme of the warring factions: Palmera and Meniconi dispute the western town in true mafia style; there's even the story element of 'scarring the family' when one of them abducts the other man's marriageable daughter and has his men have their way with her. There are similarities to Massacre Time, which was also scripted by Dell'Aquila and Di Leo and featured a once feared gunslinger who has become a town drunk. Diehard genre fans might also think of that other permanently inebriated anti-hero from our beloved genre, Robert Woods' El Puro.

Knowing the reputation of these screenwriters, the script is a bit of a letdown. All the ingredients are there, but the theme of the warring factions is a little underdeveloped and the background story of the family and the hidden identity of one of the main characters was far better integrated into the script and narrative of Massacre Time. We eventually learn who Sobiesky really is and why Ghidra was drinking all the time, but these revelations come too late to have any emotional impact. A Time and Place for Killing is a average spaghetti western, not great, but not bad either. Of course John Wayne's boots are far too big for Sobiesky but Ghidra turns in a memorable performance as the town drunk. He perfectly knows what to do - and not to do - in a crucial scene like the one in which he pulls himself together. Most B-movie actors would overact and by consequence blow the scene. Ghidra knows that a small gesture and a grim face paint more than a thousand screams.

  • Italian title: ... e venne il tempo di uccidere ( ... and it was time to kill)
  • Alternative English title: Tequila Joe

Note:

  • (1) Various sources mention both Dell-Aquila and Di Leo in relation to For a Few Dollars More. According to Giusti they were responsible for the idea ('soggetto') for the movie but did not contribute to the script.

Director: Vincenzo Dell'Aquila - Cast: Jean Sobieski, Anthony Ghidra, Furio Meniconi, Mimmo Palmera, Eleonora Rufo, Felicita Fanny, Mimo Bill, Claudio Ruffini, Remo Capitani, Giovanni Ivan Scratuglia, Paolo Figlia, Fortunato Arena - Music: Francesco De Masi; song 'A Man Alone' sung by Raoul

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