Navajo Joe (1966)
8/10
I would rather watch Navajo Joe over six feet under
18 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Daniel Baker pull your head out of you know what! First off Burt Reynolds had to leave during filming of Navajo Joe for a commercial, which infuriated Corbucci. Reynolds thought he was going to become a huge star doing a spaghetti western and believed he was going to work with Leone. I believe deep down in his little heart he knows this was one of his better roles he has played.

The opening scene was great with Aldo Sambrell (Mervyn Duncan)smiling at Joe's wife (Cristina Sani). I didn't think (Indians) feared anyone especially Navajo..Answering Daniel's second intelligent remark! It shows Duncan's hatred for his own being half blooded Indian and during his childhood being called a halfbreed. He collects Indian scalps for a dollar a head. Which is funny how Joe makes a deal with the townspeople for a dollar a head. When Duncan learns that he has a bounty on his head he sacks the local town and make's a deal w/ Dr. Lynne in stealing the train carrying $500,000 on board. One by one Joe eliminates the Duncan Gang and Dr. Lynne is killed by Duncan. It is a great final showdown with Merv Duncan and Joe in the Indian Burial ground of his ancestors. Like Corbucci's style the hero is killed off unlike Great Silence were the hero dies and the villain lives. The hate for one another destroys each other it is a cool Ax to the head scene which is edited in most versions. When you see Joe's horse ride into town with the money we know Joe has died....Niccoletta M. plays a small role in this film as a half breed as well but the opposite to Duncan's character.

Ennio Morricone uses an unusual alias as Leo Nichols. Great music, great camera work and great acting. It is a shame Reynolds only contribution to this genre. The saddest part is it never gave Aldo Sambrell a chance to play a lead role only more smaller parts. It is rumored to have a full version were Joe is visited by Nicolleta M before he dies in the burial grounds bullet ridden.
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