Poseidon-3 Review of The Oil Prince

The Oil Prince (1965)

German-flavored western saga with pretty visuals and poor dubbing.

[9 January 2008]

A later entry in the so-called (due to being German-made) "Kraut Western" series of Karl May novels-turned-films, this one doesn't quite measure up to some of the others, but does have a few things to recommend it. Granger takes on a role very similar to one that Lex Barker had portrayed in prior films, that of a buckskin-clad adventurer, frequently joined by his trusted Indian friend Brice. Here they must aid a wagon train of settlers who are being misled and mistreated by a greedy oil baron (Leipnitz) who wishes to lay claim to the land they are heading towards. Leipnitz sticks them with an impostor for a scout, plays a spy (Hill) in their midst and then turns the Indians, led by Popovic-Mavid, against them. Granger is solid, though he brings a more effete quality to the series than rugged, macho Barker did (something not aided by his flouncy scarf.) Brice is one step away from being unintentionally funny with stoic demeanor, sudden appearances and his pigeon English. In one scene, he says, "Surely, my friend…" and one almost waits for Granger to say, "Stop calling me Shirley!" in response. He also has an awfully haphazard moment or two performing an otherwise surprisingly thrilling rescue on a raging river. Leipnitz has a terrific look, all clad in black leather and with a neatly trimmed beard. His villainy adds to the film. Hill is handsome and decent, but doesn't get the amount of screen time or showcasing he would command a few years later. Weissgerber is a middle-aged pioneer woman while Meril is a young lady falling for Hill. Both women are okay, but can't help but pale next to previous ladies in the series such as Elke Sommer, Daliah Lavi and Karin Dor. There is some atrocious (and annoying) "comic relief" with Weissgerber's brother, a meek, cowardly composer of operas and Srdoc, a 48 year-old, is ineffectively cast as a crotchety and decrepit old man. As in most of these films, the bulk of the dubbing is laughably bad, with many of the characters sounding like grizzled, growly-voiced cowpokes, no matter what they look like. Still, there are things to enjoy here. The scenery (though not that of the western U.S. – tulips pop up in one scene!) is stunning. There are some great shots of a rushing river and waterfall. Unusual approaches to action and mayhem are present, for example there is a mute assassin called "Knife", for obvious reasons, and a general difference in tone from the standard western films, which are being emulated. It doesn't always work, but it's usually entertaining on a modest level. Sadly, the title rampage is cut short rather quickly, making for a somewhat anticlimactic denouement. The best of the Karl May filmizations is "The Treasure of Silver Lake".