Django 2 - Il grande ritorno

This film is very interesting. Many people will scoff at it's production values, but when you consider it's era, it's really not that far off from its contemporaries. Many people make the mistake of comparing this movie to the Rambo franchise.

I suppose this is based on the way the Italians chose to market the film (with Nero with a headband and giant veiny muscles). But the more appropriate comparison should be with Arnold Schwartzenegger's "Commando".

In both films, a burly guy trying to forget his violent past has his daughter kidnapped and is forced to kill hundreds of ethnic stereotyped Hispanic folks to get her back. It's even got exploding guard towers and guys getting stabbed in Arnie "stick around!" style!!!

Recent years have seen many iconic actors return to iconic roles; Bruce Willis returned as John McClane, Harrison Ford returned as Indiana Jones and Sylvester Stallone returned as Rambo - but before all of them, Franco Nero returned to his most iconic role for Django Strikes Again - the only official sequel to Sergio Corbucci's 1966 classic Django. First of all, it has to be said that this sequel is not as great as the original; but it certainly is a very entertaining film and better than many of the rip offs. Franco Nero slips back into his old role superbly and director Nello Rossati provides enough violence and other distractions to keep things flowing nicely. The film of course focuses on Django, now a monk; having given up his murderous ways. That is, until his daughter is kidnapped by soldiers that use slaves to man a silver mine. Django of course goes after his daughter; but is captured and thrown in the mine. Not for long, however, as once Django makes his escape - a bloody rampage ensues.

One criticism I have of this film is the fact that it's not really a Western at all. Aside from the opening sequence, there's nothing to suggest that the film is set in the Wild West and I'd consider it more of a war set revenge thriller. That's not too important, however; the main thing is seeing Django tearing through his enemies with his trusty machine gun, and the film certainly does not disappoint in terms of the body count - which, of course, is massive. Unfortunately he doesn't drag a coffin around like he did in the original; although caskets are featured in a couple of scenes and Django does take to riding a funeral carriage! The lead villain is a general played by Christopher Connelly and gives the film a good antagonistic presence - some of his scenes being more interesting than the ones featuring Django! We also have a small role for the great Donald Pleasance. There's a few good scenes too; nothing as iconic as in the original, but overall this film flows well and I loved it for it's entertainment value. Django Strikes Again is recommended to Django fans.

A woman comes to a monastery and tells Django (Franco Nero), who became a monk many years ago, that he has a daughter in San Vicente that was kidnapped by the evil and cruel 'El Diablo' Orlowsky (Christopher Connelly), a former Hungarian soldier that uses his battleship to abduct men and boys to work as slaves in his silver mines and girls to be sold to brothels. Django follows his ship, but is captured and sent to labor work. He escapes with the support of the etymologist Professor Gunn (Donald Pleasance) and promises to return to rescues all the slaves. He goes to a cemetery where he digs his machine gun, preserved in a coffin buried under a tomb with the name "Django". He brings hell to Earth chasing Orlowsky and his gang.

"Django 2: Il Grande Ritorno" is the sequel of 1966 "Django" and is underrated in IMDb. The violent story is great and has some of excellent sequences, such as when Django is in the cemetery digging his machine gun; or when he schedules the undertaker to a future work; or riding the funeral stagecoach with the machine gun on the back. Christopher Connelly, in his last work, makes an excellent villain. Western is not my favorite genre, but I liked this movie a lot. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Django - A Volta do Vingador" ("Django – The Returno of the Avenger")

At last an official sequel to Sergio Corbucci's classic DJANGO and what a return! Franco Nero reprises the role that made him famous, and it fits him like an old glove. Nello Rossati directs the film with some flair, improving on his previous film with Nero the wacky TOP LINE. The late Christopher Connelly turns in another great performance, and Donald Pleasence is a treat in his amusing role as Ben Gunn. Lots of action and plenty of style make for an enjoyable film and this is certainly that...see it!

N.B. Try to get hold of the Anchor Bay double DVD set, it includes the missing prologue featuring spaghetti western favourite William Berger.

It strange that they make a offical sequel 15+ years later, but this time Franco Nero teams up with TOP LINE director Ted Archer in a so-so sequel. Intresting supporting cast like the late Christopher Connelly, Donald Plesance, and Andy Sidaris regular Obreigon. It's worth a look, and I noticed the film finally came out on video after 12 years. I had to get a copy from Japanese video just to see it. Recommended to Nero fans.