Most Spaghetti westerns concern themselves with rituals, like elaborate showdowns, but "Big Gundown" director Sergio Sollima has written an above-average, rather intelligent Italian oater with Sergio Donati that relies as much on characterization as it does violence to make its points. Intellectual Boston history professor Brad Fletcher (Gian Maria Volonte of "Fistful of Dollars")quits teaching and heads out west for the salubrious climate. No sooner has he crossed the Mississippi than he runs afoul of a lawman escorting the notorious outlaw, Solomon "Beauregard" Bennet(Tomas Milian of "Companeros"), and he intervenes out of mercy to give the poor wretch a drink. This entire scene reminded me of "Ben-Hur" with one man providing water to another less fortunate. Bennett catches his escort off-guard, smashes the water jug over his head, snatches his six-gun and escapes. Bennett takes Fletcher hostage, but Bennett is wounded. They seize a stagecoach and clear out until the vehicle crashes on the trail, throwing the driver, and allowing the horses to escape, too.
Later, Fletcher helps the outlaw recover from his wound. Initially, Bennett qualifies as the villain, but he whistles a different tune by fade-out. Meanwhile, a tenacious Pinkerton agent, Charlie Siringo (William Berger of "Sabata"),infiltrates Bennett's gang. The hopeless history professor persuades Bennett not to kill him, and Fletcher joins Bennett's gang. He learns how to handle a six-shooter. Along the way, the two men appear to swap attitudes. Moreover, after a bank robbery gone awry, Fletcher assumes leadership of Bennett's gang. Bennett is captured and confined in jail, while Fletcher rides away with the loot. Essentially, the timid, mild-mannered Fletcher becomes as deadly, if not deadlier than Bennett, and prefers not to buckle under pressure. Fletcher orchestrates an afternoon bank robbery down to the last detail and boasts that they won't have to fire a shot to clean out the bank. Siringo slips a warning note into a woman's handbag as she is crossing the street. Ironically, when she tries to give the note to the local sheriff, he dismisses her efforts. Eventually, the note winds up in a Mexican boy's hands and he spills the beans. A shoot-out erupts, several people die, but Fletcher gets away with a bag filled with loot.
Beautifully lensed by Rafeal Pacheco of "For A Few Extra Dollars," this western benefits from fantastic camera movements. "Fistful of Dollars" composer Ennio Morricone provides a memorable orchestral soundtrack to the film.
Later, Fletcher helps the outlaw recover from his wound. Initially, Bennett qualifies as the villain, but he whistles a different tune by fade-out. Meanwhile, a tenacious Pinkerton agent, Charlie Siringo (William Berger of "Sabata"),infiltrates Bennett's gang. The hopeless history professor persuades Bennett not to kill him, and Fletcher joins Bennett's gang. He learns how to handle a six-shooter. Along the way, the two men appear to swap attitudes. Moreover, after a bank robbery gone awry, Fletcher assumes leadership of Bennett's gang. Bennett is captured and confined in jail, while Fletcher rides away with the loot. Essentially, the timid, mild-mannered Fletcher becomes as deadly, if not deadlier than Bennett, and prefers not to buckle under pressure. Fletcher orchestrates an afternoon bank robbery down to the last detail and boasts that they won't have to fire a shot to clean out the bank. Siringo slips a warning note into a woman's handbag as she is crossing the street. Ironically, when she tries to give the note to the local sheriff, he dismisses her efforts. Eventually, the note winds up in a Mexican boy's hands and he spills the beans. A shoot-out erupts, several people die, but Fletcher gets away with a bag filled with loot.
Beautifully lensed by Rafeal Pacheco of "For A Few Extra Dollars," this western benefits from fantastic camera movements. "Fistful of Dollars" composer Ennio Morricone provides a memorable orchestral soundtrack to the film.