Klaus Kinski and George Hilton are lost behind enemy lines in this curious Euro-war film. Wild East R0 DVD
The Film
Allied
forces are pushing into occupied Europe but the pressure is too much
for Private Grayson and Corporal Haskins (Klaus Kinski) who are
sentenced to death for murder. Fresh out of West Point, Michael
Sheppard (George Hilton) is detailed to escort the men and their
executioners to the appropriate location, but when the group are
attacked by German soldiers, only Sheppard and the two convicts are
left alive. They make a run for safety, Sheppard is still convinced
that he can get the two men to return for their punishment but the
other two just want to escape from the war. They find a small town to
hide in and are welcomed as saviours by the townspeople, but when the
German and Allied forces advance on the small town they might have to
really prove themselves...
From
the opening scenes of the film with biblical quotes from Genesis, it is
clear that this is not going to be an orthodox war film - we move quickly to a
nighttime battle scene in a crashing, gothic horror thunderstorm and later the
trio's arrival in San Miguel borders on the surreal. Although the
anti-war aspects emphasised at the end are quite typical of the genre,
the religious themes that seem to crop up through the film are rather unusual
although sadly, like with the surrealism and horror, the script never quite seems to be clear about what it
wants to do with all of these different ideas and it never particularly
comes together to make a particular point.
Outside of these aspects, Salt in the Wound has a decent if none-too original war-movie storyline - the idea of crooks becoming commandos had been popularised in The Dirty Dozen
(1967) but director Tonino Ricci's script avoids becoming a mere clone
and these crooks have no intention of becoming heros or even
fighting, instead just trying to get away from the American forces who
want to execute them. Similarly he doesn't make this into a 'buddy
picture' like the better known Inglorious Bastards (1978) and the rivaly and hatred between the leads is one of the best
aspects of the film. Characterisation is not particularly strong but we
do get the know the trio particularly when they reach the town and by
the end we do care about their fate. Pacing is quite slow, particularly
in the scenes in the town, but it avoids becoming boring.
Visually, Salt in the Wound is
heavily inspired by the Spaghetti Western boom and with a change of
uniforms and weapons it could easily have worked as a Civil War
western. The town is very well done and well populated with extras,
while the uniforms and equipment all look realistic - the dramatic
climax sees some real tanks getting in on the action. The real
highlight is Riz Ortolani's dramatic military score which gives the film a
particuarly strong backing.
Casting
Klaus Kinski as an American GI might seem like an odd decision but it
works well, he can pull of the depressive uncaring attitudelike no-one
else which is perfect for the start when he is awaiting death, but he
does have a sensitive side which comes out later. George Hilton is
similarly well cast and looks every bit the 'college boy' soldier.
Little known Canadian actor Ray Saunders is cast as Grayson, the other
convict and gives a strong performance.
On first impressions, a Spaghetti Western with a Second World War setting, Salt in the Wound
is lifted by some rather unusual themes and ideas, particularly the
religious iconography - unfortunately it never seems to know what to do
with these and the film is certainly not as 'deep' as it could have
been. Fans of action packed war films will enjoy the explosive finalé
but there is not much action before that. Still, the acting from
Kinski, Hilton and Saunders is quite superb and the film is certainly
of interest to Eurocult fans.
In Brief
Anyone famous in it?
Klaus Kinski - the legendary and infamous German actor who also starred in Eurowar film 5 per l'inferno (1969) George Hilton - one of the biggest stars of the Spaghetti Western boom including Massacre Time (1966)
Directed by anyone interesting?
Tonino Ricci - a little known Italian director who worked as second unit director on Lucio Fulci's White Fang (1973) and its sequel before becoming a director, working on such films as Thor the Conqueror (1983)
Any gore?
Lots of blood.
Any sex?
None.
Who is it for?
Fans of Kinski and Hilton and the less action packed Eurowar films.
The DVD
Visuals
Original Aspect Ratio - 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. Colour. The
print quality is watchable - generally lacking in detail and with minor
damage throughout, there is a lot more damage with missed frames at
reel changes.
Audio
English original mono. Sounds okay, lacking clarity but the dialogue is always understandable.
Subtitles
None
Extras
The disc includes:
Original
Theatrical trailer - tries to sell the film as an all out action war movie.
Photo and poster gallery - as a video file with soundtrack backing.
Cut status unknown - no apparent cuts. The print is English language.
Summary
A rather unusual war film, but certainly interesting and boosted by good acting and soundtrack. Partly recommended.
The
print quality is quite poor at times but always watchable, certainly
better than most PD releases - the full widescreen image is a real
bonus. Unlikely to ever get a better release.
