3 film, 4 disc collection of Spaghetti Westerns featuring Django. Koch Media R2 German boxset.
Summary
With
all the attention lavished on Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Western trilogy,
some people might think that they are the only titles in the genre -
but in a decade of European Westerns there were over 500 films
produced, of varying quality. One name that cropped up more than any
actor, director or producer was Django.
The eponymous anti-hero, made famous by Sergio Corbucci's 1966 film was
often dubbed onto existing European Western titles by German
distributors, and this set provides examples of one original Django
film, and two films where the lead character was christened as such for
the German release.
The first two films, Per 100,000 Dollari ti Ammazzo and 10.000 Dollari per un Massacro
were produced by former exploitation masters Luciano and Sergio
Martino, and featured the up and coming euro-cult star Gianni Garko
alongside the tragically short-lived Claudio Camaso. Relatively minor
genre entries they are both very impressive, and rank as some of the
best Spaghetti Westerns ever films. Execution is a later, seperate film starring the British actor John Richardson that is distinctly less impressive in every respect.
Cult Euro-Western actor Gianni Garko stars in the first two films, while British actor John Richardson appears in Execution.
Who is it for?
The two Gianni Garko titles in this set are highly recommended to Spaghetti Western fans, while Execution is a pallid affair in comparison, but might prove interesting.
The DVDs
Visuals
All films are in Original Aspect Ratios (2.35:1 and 1.78:1) and Anamorphically Enhanced. The picture quality is strong throughout.
Audio
All discs
have Italian and German mono soundtracks that sound fine. The German tracks are missing in a few scenes, replaced by Italian.
Subtitles
All the discs include German subtitles for the Italian tracks and English subtitles for the Italian tracks.
Extras
All of the discs include theatrical trailers and brief poster galleries.
Split across the two discs containing Gianni Garko films is a 50 minute documentary Mondo Garko,
which includes a lengthy interview with the actor about his Spaghetti
Western career, as well as footage from his various films. Very
interesting. Presented in Italian, with German or English subtitles.
The
boxset includes an Audio CD containing the Nora Orlandi original
soundtracks to the first two films. Sound quality is very good.
The boxset also includes a detailed booklet about the Django films, all in German.
Packing
A fold-out digipack contained in a slipcase.
Region
Region 2 - PAL
Other regions?
Some films have releases in other countries. None superior.
Cuts?
All films are believed to be fully uncut. Prints are Italian langauge.
Summary
A duo of the genre's better films, and a very poor entry.
A great looking set of prints
with good audio and flawless subtitles. The interview feature is
extensive, and subtitled in English and the soundtrack CD is superb. The only slight downside, for
some, is the absence of English dubs, otherwise this set is perfect and
unlikely to be bettered.
