The Big Gundown

The Western seems to be nearly dead as a genre these days, aside from the occasional notable addition. Some of the better recent efforts (like 2007's 3:10 to Yuma) have been remakes.  As good as any remake may turn out to be, western fans may just as well spend some time hunting down some lesser-known Spaghetti Western gems that never got much notice in the USA.  The Big Gundown is one of these, and it's a shame it isn't better known.

There are are at least two cuts of this movie, a shorter version that weighs in under 90 minutes that cuts out much of the character development and some of the storyline.  I watched the full-length version, so the review will obviously be based on that; if you seek the movie out I'd recommend trying to find the uncut version. At this point the region 2 DVD may still be your best bet.

The movie has several things going for it.  The first is Lee Van Cleef's portrayal of bounty hunter Jonathan Corbett.  Van Cleef was made for this kind of role; he brought a cool, steely-eyed screen presence that not many could match. Corbett is a more complex character than many gunslinger types, and Van Cleef manages to bring that across in one of his best performances.

The second, and perhaps most noticeable plus for the film is Ennio Morricone's score.  The music in the film is great; from the sometimes vaguely operatic chase themes, to the showdowns and even the wedding dance.  While I enjoy music a great deal, it's unusual for me to notice it as often as I did during the Big Gundown.  The score and soundtrack are widely available in the US, unlike the movie itself.

Tomas Milian is excellent as Cuchillo Sanchez, the man Corbett is hired to hunt down.  Accused of raping and killing a 12-year old girl, Cuchillo proves to be a wily opponent who has no interest in being brought back to face justice.

The supporting cast is also good, with a wide array of oddball characters. From Baron von Schulenberg, the immaculate and tightly-wound Austrian gunslinger/duelist that you just know is dying to have it out with Corbett to the crazy widow and her ranch full of infatuated henchmen.  Corbett and Chuchillo's encounters with these people keep the movie lively and interesting.

The smart storyline elevates The Big Gundown above being a mere series of chase scenes and gunfights, although it does feature a number of those. Corbett starts out believing that this is the same as any other bounty job he might take, but along the way he begins to question himself, his employers, and precisely what the true nature of the job is.  While he's quick with a gun and seems cold, Corbett still believes in real justice. Even if it means killing a lot of people who should have been on his side.

Highly recommended for any fan of westerns.  It may not be the best western that came out in 1966, but it's still a great one, and worth the trouble of tracking down.