Navajo Joe

This movie was Burt Reynolds's second lead role in a theatrical feature film. This movie is also one of Quentin Tarantino's Top Twenty favourite spaghetti westerns.

Plot In A Paragraph: An Indian warrior called Navajo Joe (Burt Reynolds) seeks revenge on a gang of sadistic outlaws who has massacred the people of his tribe.

Aside from Reynolds the acting in this film is pretty mediocre. There s also pacing problems Burt Reynolds only agreed to make this film because he was under the impression that Sergio Leone would be directing. When he found out it was Sergio Corbucci he tried to pull out, but the contracts had already been signed and it was too late.

As a side note this is the first time Burt wears a wig in a movie, but that's more to do with him playing an Indian than the actual role.

"Navajo Joe" is a spaghetti Western from 1966 starring Burt Reynolds as the titular Native warrior who seeks revenge on a gang of sadistic outlaws who massacred his wife and tribe.

They say Italians have been making the worst movies for a hundred years, but "Navajo Joe" is pretty good for a spaghetti oater. In an interview Reynolds admitted that he took Clint Eastwood's example (whom he replaced on the TV series "Rawhide") by going to Europe and starring in an Italian Western; unlike Eastwood who got Sergio Leone, however, Burt got Sergio Corbucci.Despite this, Reynolds was in his prime and looks robust; being a stuntman, he did all his own stunts, which is impressive when you view the movie.

Other highlights include the typically outlandish but memorable score by Ennio Morricone (pseudonymously credited as Leo Nichols), which is reminiscent of his later score for "Burn!" and raven-haired Nicoletta Machiavelli as Estella, a half-breed who takes a liking to Joe. Other than this, the typical revenge plot moves right along for a fairly entertaining 60's European Western where the dubbed voices don't match the lips. "Navajo Joe" may not be great, but it's amusing enough.

The film runs 93 minutes and was shot in Spain.

GRADE: B

Sergio Corbucci western with style to spare. Every good spaghetti western is a revenge story and this one's no exception. Burt Reynolds plays the title character Navajo Joe, who hunts down the men responsible for the death of his wife. Lots of violence amidst the attempts at profundity but it's all good fun. Try not to take it seriously and you'll enjoy it more. There is a cheese factor but, again, it's a spaghetti western so that comes with the territory. More so when you add Burt Reynolds to the mix. I don't care what anybody says, I love the Ennio Morricone score. I was humming "Nav-a-jo Joe Nav-a-jo Joe" for a long time after the movie ended.

Navajo Joe is directed by Sergio Corbucci and collectively written by Fernando Di Leo, Ugo Pirro and Piero Regnoli. It stars Burt Reynolds, Aldo Sambrell, Nicoletta Machiavelli, Tanya Lopert and Fernando Rey. Music is by Ennico Morricone and cinematography by Silvano Ippolitti.

Though Reynolds would say it's the worst film he ever made, anyone who has followed his career will know that simply isn't the case! It's an odd Spaghetti Western that sees Reynolds play the title character, who strides out for revenge against the ragamuffin varmints who slaughtered his woman and tribe. Cue blood letting galore as Joe enacts said revenge with bloodthirsty glee as the hints of anti-racism struggle to show their heads above the pasta strewn pulpit.

Narratively there's nothing else to add, it's simplicity 101 and at times it becomes laborious. Where the film doesn't lack for interest is with the technical aspects. Corbucci hones his skills as a purveyor of brutal set pieces, each striking for entertainment purpose. Ippolitti adds his own brand of cinematography, gracing the story with a pizazz it doesn't deserve, whilst Morricone provides a wonderfully catchy musical score. As for Reynolds? He does OK. Veering close to being pantomime and showing a lack of interest, his all round brooding charisma shines bright and gives the picture a macho edge.

Not a great film by any stretch of the imagination, the script is just too lazy, but it is above average and Spaghetti Western fans can find enough here to gorge on for a satisfying meal. 6/10

...Navajo Joe...directed by Sergio Corbucci.

I'd rate Navajo Joe a "must see"...for Spaghetti-heads, at least....although I wouldn't place it in my top 10 SW. Somewhere in my top 20's more like it.

It's certainly one of the least 'cartoonish' SW...the themes touched on in the movie are well chosen & well done....the score is soooooooo good............Reynolds is good in the part (he's half Cherokee Indian, by the way)........Joe is not your run of the mill SW character--> it's refreshing to have a hero (as opposed to hero/anti-hero) for a change...he's an 'assassin', & a good one...wiping out 40+ guys is no small feat.

The ending was handled well..& slightly ambiguously...there is room for speculation as to Joe's ultimate fate in the movie....although w/ a little thought...it's pretty clear...& adds to the film's quality & richness. The usual atrocious dubbing....occasionally some excellent dialogue will poke through.

Good one.