A Bullet for the General

I was recommended this movie as the typical example of a “Spaghetti Western,” the 60s era cowboy movies made by Italian directors. This has all the tropes you’d expect and was a fun watch. Although, definitely some egregious examples of “Latin-face” as the Mexican rebels are almost all played by white American and British actors.

Damiano Damiani had one of his exceptional successes with 1966's "A Bullet for the General" (AKA: "El Chucho, Quien Sabe?"). The director of "The Empty Canvas" had just directed "The Witch in Love," another film that could not be categorized as a horror film, although Sinister Cinema has a copy of the film out also as simply "The Witch" which is misleading. Both titles of this Blue Underground release on (DVD and) Blu-ray are valid and are included in the first disc of the two disc collector's edition as the U.S. release and the slightly longer international version. There are trailers and an interview with director Damiani, who is very much politically motivated when telling a story and it is clearly evident with "A Bullet for the General" as he says he didn't want to make a traditional western by an Italian but like Leone before him (the film's star Gian Maria Volonte as "El Chucho" (quite a memorable character for this chameleon-like actor was actually a leading actor in Sergio Leone's first spaghetti western "A Fistful of Dollars" although that film was not the actual "first" of that genre but brought it into popularity) was more interested in satirizing the American western and as is always the case with a Damiano Damiani film, he revolutionizes the genres he is working in to make something unique. Even his pre-quel in the "Amityville" franchise becomes a totally unique "sequel" that tests boundaries throughout. (See: "Amityville 2: The Possession"). There is a lot of humor in the film but it is not a standard "spaghetti western" and has a lot to say about the way of the peasants and working class which seems to become its major treatise. The second disc is DVD documentary about actor "Gian Maria Volonte: Un Attore Contro" which is often presenting blurry excerpts from the actor's films until his death rather recently. Although it is interesting, it is a bit disappointing as the package of a two disc set makes you think there are loads of extras about "A Bullet for the General" and the interview with Damiani is only a few minutes long on Disc One, the Blu-ray, but actually I am glad to know much more about Volonte as he always seems different in each film as he is at playing each character differently and hearing how he worked with other actors, writers, producers and directors. Top-billed opposite Volonte on the cover packaging is Klaus Kinski as "El Chucho's" half-brother who has less to do than Lou Castel as the villainous "gringo" and Martine Beswick is on hand with a tad too much dark make-up as a Mexican revolutionary female. Castel's make-up at times is a bit too heavy. The film is great, but not for the western or "Spaghetti Western" genre but for a film set in the American West that has clashes with people getting rich on the poor and their treatment like in Mexico or across the Atlantic and the Mediterranean in Italy and Sicily. Divergent and effective. Story and screenplay by Salvatore Laurani with adaptation by Franco Solinas and music by Luis E. Bacalov which was supervised by Ennio Morricone. Much thanks to Blue Underground for treating it so well.

'Bullet For The General' is typical of the material that was screened during the 'Spahetti-Western' era during the late60's into the early 70's.Many of the faces seen in the film were frequent throughout the series.......The film is set during the Mexican-Revolution telling of bandit / gunrunner 'El Chucho' (Gian Maria Volonte) who withhis men attack the Presidents Soldiers to acquire weapons they have and indeed guard to sell to the revolutionaries,not out of patriotism.When attacking a train to steal weapons 'El Chucho' comes across an American Bill 'nino' Tate' (Lou Castel) whoclaims to be a wanted man in the U.S making himself an acceptable addition to his number.'Tate' brings an added dimension to the group with his own brand of bloody violence...but, why is he so eager tobe a part of 'El Chucho's' bandits, he plays his cards close to his chest.They attack the small town of 'San Miguel' which is occupied by a company of the presidents soldiers, they capture muchammunition along with a gold-machine-gun....most of the group just want to take the weapons to the RevolutionsGeneral to collect payment, 'El Chucho' gets an attack of conscience knowing the town will be attacked by soldiers andit's vulnerable and down-trodden residents slaughtered, he offers to stay and fight, but most of his followers along withhis new best friend 'Tate' but his brother 'El Santo' (Klaus Kinski) with a few others stay to help, however when 'El Chucho'realizes the others have the prized 'golden-machine-gun with them, he gives chase promising to return....however moneyproves to be his master and he and 'Tate set off to sell the captured weapons to the General.The film does have some good action sequences typical of the 'Spaghetti' film series, however in my view it does lack thepolish and indeed humour associated with films such as the 'Eastwood' trilogy and indeed the Stieger/ Coburn offering.The disc has both the U.S and International versions on-board with Audio for Italian and sub-titles also for French and Spanish.There is a bonus disc with the Special-Edition with insights into both the films director and 'Gian Maria Volonte'The Blu-ray upgrade is good.Extras -* A Bullet for the Director* Interview with director Damiano Damiani* Theatrical Trailers* Poster and Stills Gallery(The film is multi-region)

Ha Ha a comedy spaghetti western...so bad it's funny ..😂😃😄😅😆 reading other peoples reviews I thought it would be like a Clint Eastwood film only better indeed I recognised two actors from his films ....Ramone ...remember the heart Ramone ..and the hunchback who had a match struck his hunch lol ..by Lee Vancleef. .didn't know they did comedy ...ha ha ha very funny if you like comedy you'll ha ha love it 😃😄😅😆

Despite watching Sergio Leone's "Dollars" trilogy countless times over the years I never considered giving any of the other spahghetti westerns out there a go until now. And after being a little disappointed with the "Sabata" movies I almost stopped right there, but a friend mentioned that this was worth a look, and they weren't wrong!A Buller For The General definitely has the same "spirit" as Leone's work, and you'll recognise quite a few of the extra's in it too! Including a cameo by the same kid who helped Clint Eastwood in "For A Few Dollars More".Gian Maria Volente shares the lead with Lou Castel and both have good presence and form an unlikely duo. Volente is at his cackling best, but plays a more sympathetic character than usual. It's a shame Klaus Kinski doesn't get more of a chance to develop his character and isn't on screen enough at all.The plot takes a little while to get going, drifting from one gunfight to another for a while, and the encounter at the General's camp could have more of an impact, but overall it's a decent story.As for the DVD itself, the quality of the picture is pretty good given the age of the source material and I didn't notice any problems there - likewise the soundtrack is decent enough.Overall I'd give this 8/10 - If you like spaghetti westerns then I reckon this is a must!

Klaus kinsk, Gian Maria Volante, what more can I say, both just ooze presence and carry the film well. It's not my favourite zapata western by any means but it's definitely worth watching.

One of the best 'Spaghetti Westerns', great picture quality and an engaging story.

Excellent movie,just because of the main part of great Gian Maria Volonte!