Chiedi perdono a Dio... non a me

Ardisson should have done more spags. He had the look and the chops to pull off the laconic protagonist. This film is a stark reminder of what might have been, as director Musolino passed away at a young age after making only two films (this being the better one). It is well made, with a style that reminds of Leone without completely ripping the master off.

"May God Forgive You...But I Won't" is a rock solid spaghetti western. It's a good looking movie. It tells its story well and its action is well staged. George Ardisson does a nice job as the hero. The supporting cast also does a nice job. "May God Forgive You...But I Won't" does go off the rails once in a while but it quickly gets back on track. I've been watching a lot of spaghetti westerns these past couple of years. They are a hit or miss kind of thing. This movie goes on the plus side of the ledger. (IMDB has a six hundred character minimum so I have to ramble on a little bit longer. How was your day?)

Right off the bat, the title of "God May Forgive, But I Won't" sets a deliciously dramatic tone that promises gunslinging and grudges, and it doesn't disappoint. The film, a lesser-known Spaghetti Western from 1968, delivers on its name with a delightful use of its own title in a pivotal moment-an absolute treat for any cinephile.

George Ardisson stars as the stoic Cjamango McDonald, bringing a performance that, unfortunately, lacks the depth and versatility one might hope for. Comparatively, he makes Anthony Steffen seem like a master of subtlety, which is saying something. Despite Ardisson's wooden delivery, the film manages to hold the viewer's interest thanks to a more convincingly portrayed Mexican antagonist played by Ignazio Spalla and the reliable Gidra, who adds a touch of quality to whatever scene he graces.

The storyline itself is a bit of a hodgepodge, typical of revenge-themed narratives but with enough twists to keep it engaging. I never once felt the urge to switch off; the pacing and energy somehow keep you hooked, curious to see how the tangled paths of vengeance will unravel.

Visually, the film doesn't reach the artistic heights of the genre's best, but the cinematography is more than competent.

In summary, while "God May Forgive, But I Won't" might not be a masterpiece, it's a watchable entry into the Spaghetti Western canon. If you can get past some stiff performances, you might just find yourself enjoying this rough-around-the-edges tale of retribution.

It becomes pretty clear a few times in this spaghetti western that it was trying to ape the original "Django" movie, not just for the fact the hero in this movie has a name similar to "Django". That didn't concern me that much, especially since for the most part the movie seems to be trying to do its own thing. The movie does have some interest here and there - a good musical score, a story that goes in a few unexpected areas, and a decent action climax. But the movie has some significant problems. One of the main problems is that the motivations of some key characters remains vague or simply not explained at all. Another problem is that the movie unfolds at a somewhat slower pace than you usually get for a revenge western. Fans of spaghetti westerns will probably get enough enjoyment out of it, though it isn't one that should be actively sought out.

Standard violent revenge story. Ardisson was always good as an action man in the 60s and early 70s and who doesn't love Sanchez in his usual jovial roles? The use of music from Goldfinger unfortunately took me out of the story when it appeared. There's less female pulchritude than usual for a Euro western. Cristina Iosani's exotic and busty sex appeal, on display in Robert Woods' My Name Is Pecos, is covered up in long dresses here as she plays Ardisson's love interest. The Gatling gun sequence is loud but bloodless, like it is in most westerns and US TV shows with the exception of The Wild Bunch.