Jesse & Lester - Dois Primos de Trinity

Yet another comedy western from Italy, and to be honest I spent quite a lot of the running time wondering if I'd watched this particular story of two mismatched brothers after an inheritance before, or if it was just that the story was that similar to some other 'inheritance/brothers' film I'd watched in the past, before realising I had watched it before about two seconds before it ended.

Richard Harrison plays Jessie (a blonde blur on my copy), a fanny rat leaving a trail of debts and carpet monkeys all over the West. Jessie wants to open the greatest brothel the West has ever seen, but he has no money, so enter Donald O'Brian as Lester (a dark blur on my copy) – Jessie's half-brother who is a tee-total Mormon who wants to build a church who informs Jessie that they have both inherited some land from an Uncle. The rest of the film involves the brother's japes as they try to earn cash to fulfil their dreams.

And what japes! Throughout the pixelated, blurry mess, you'll half- witness the brothers continually losing money because of Lester's trust in the local banks (who are continually robbed by a blur called Poker), forced to wash dishes by Chinese bar owner George Wang (a blur with a stereotypical Chinese accent), robbed at gunpoint by the psychotic vague outline of Luciano Rossi, and just plain trying to rip off each other.

What saves all this virtual cataract experience is Richard Harrison's natural acting (much better here than in the more serious films he appears in) and Donald O'Brian's usual over the top shenanigans. There's plenty of action thrown in amongst all the painful comedy displayed by these Westerns by this point but then again if I spend my time wondering if I've seen a film before, then how memorable is it going to be to someone who couldn't give a crap?

Oh, and if you like the soundtrack it's your lucky day because it plays almost constantly throughout the film.

Loud, obnoxious western "comedy", about two estranged brothers who get reunited after receiving an inheritance. One of them is a womanizer who wants to use his money to build a whorehouse, the other a self-righteous priest. Forced comedy ensues after both run into assorted characters and situations. Unsuccessful attempt to capture the effortless zaniness of Terence Hill's Trinity movies, this film seems to go on forever, getting louder and more irritating (everyone mugs too much here) as it goes along. See it only if you are a Richard Harrison fan (he's quite good, regardless) or a Western junkie.

This easy-to-like Italian western comedy was one of the many early 70s knock-offs of the financially successful "Trinity" films starring Terence Hill and Bud Spencer. Although I've always liked the Hill/Spencer vehicles, JESSE AND LESTER is to me a much better film. First of all, Richard Harrison possesses a charisma and sexual appeal that Hill has never had--he's also an actor with a lot of depth and plays the charming rogue character very well. And Donald O'Brien is quite convincing as the devout Mormon. Also, the film is beautifully shot and a pleasure to watch throughout. And that comes through even on the cheap Venezuelan video I own. While the film may run a bit too long (comedies, for me, tend to work better when approx. 80 minutes), it is a little- known gem that should appeal to any fan of the Trinity series... or anyone who likes a good western comedy.

Slapstick and ridiculous horse comedy with crossfire , messes , assaults and brawls . The farcical , absurd misadventures of a pair of botcher underdogs who never get to keep the loot for themselves . They are two estranged half brothers similar to Trinity (Terence Hill) and Bambino (Bud Spencer) who reunite to take a valuale inheritance from their deceased mother. After inheriting a land in a dusty place called Trinity , the antagonistic half-brothers, Lester (Donald O'Brien) and Jesse (Richard Harrison) , join forces to pursue different aspirations, as Lester wants to create a Church , while Jesse dreams a brothel-saloon , only to find themselves get into trouble . Will they ever fulfill their wishes ?

Silly slapstick euro-western and low-brow comedy in Terence Hill-Bud Spencer style with two anti-heroes forming a peculiar buddy-movie couple who get into all sorts of trouble while attempting to claim an inheritance. As highlight of the movie is the wildly contrasting of the mismatched duo and following their footloose , embarrassing adventures . The movie is filled with action , twists , fun , brawls , shootouts , surprise-filled entertainment and with a couple of frankly bemusement moments , but being an inferior spoof-Spaghetti . It does eventually outstay its welcome , and there are a surprising amount of fights and laughter . The movie is running out of ideas a lot ; however , being still good enough to be fun .Amusingly starred by Richard Harrison and Donald O'Brien , it is plenty of action , shootouts , tongue-firmly in cheek , fights with lots of punches , kick-ass , bounds , leaps , twists and loads of shots . The movie takes parts from Enzo Barboni movies such as ¨Trinity is my name¨ and ¨Trinity is still my name¨. Although , it packs some entertaining sketches and hilarious incidents , nevertheless , it seems to get worse and worse as it goes on . This is a lousy , some cheap and irritating Faglioli-Spaghetti Western in Trinity and Bambino style and that's why there is a cult to idiocy surrealism , silliness , dirtiness with an appropriately goofy tone , customary issue in this sub-genre . The violence isn't crude but suits the light-weight fun comedy and silly slapstick , like the Trinity series , as this movie efforts to copy known scenes of other Spaghetti westerns . It certainly has an enthusiastic cast , plenty of familiar secondaries , some very impressive gymnastics , especially in the massive fight sequences , and particularly in Richard Harrison acting and his gym skills , a minor Spaghetti Western , though both protagonists also starred major Spaghetti Westerns . This stirring Ravioli Western packs thrills , shootouts , noisy action , humor with tongue-in-cheek and riding pursuits . Italian production filmed in Lazio , Rome , full of familiar faces , assaults , exaggerated characters , gun-down , lots of shots and fights .

Worthwhile watching for a demonstration of the agreeable and hilarious confrontation between the half-brothers Richard Harrison and Donald O'Brien with some looks that say it all , including a thrilling ending at the town with full of shootings . Here starring Richard Harrison is nice as the likable, charming , blithely amoral and roguish Jesse Smith . Richard is pretty nice , he ravages the screen , he jokes, jumps, leaps and bounds , hits and runs . Strong and robust Richard Harrison was a magnificent muscle-man . Harrison played in Hollywood some minor roles as ¨Kronos¨, ¨South Pacific¨ and ¨Master of world . Then , Harrison jumped at the chance when offered the first character in 1961 ,¨The Invincible Gladiator¨ , which was filming in Europe . He wound up settling in Italy for the next two decades . To avoid being penned in too much as a muscle man , he sought characters in routine spaghetti westerns as ¨Texas the Red¨, ¨Gringo¨, ¨Reverendo Colt¨ , ¨Joe Dakota¨ , even the main role from ¨For a fistful of dollars¨ was offered to Richard Harrison , but he turned down and explaining : Maybe my greatest contribution to cinema was not doing Fistful of Dollars, and recommending Clint Eastwood for the part . He's well accompanied by Donald O'Brien as a peaceful, devout Mormon giving an enjoyable acting . Donald also starred a number of Westerns such as : Keoma , Mannaja , ¡Corre, Cuchillo... corre! , Lo sceriffo di Rockspring , God is my Colt 45 , Paid in Blood , The Judgment of God , Six Bounty Killers for a massacre . Support cast is frankly good with plenty of familar faces . Along with the two sympathetic protagonists appearing ordinary secondary actors who are habitual in Italian Western and Peplum genre , such as : Rick Boyd or Federico Boyd , Emisio Mesina , John Bartha , Fernando Cerulli , Goffredo Unger ,Salvatore Baccaro , Luciano Rossi among others . This bewildering picture was regularly directed by Renzo Genta and uncrdited Richard Harrison. Rating 5/10. So-so Pasta Western , only for hardcore aficionates and completists.

Gunslinging whore-monger Richard Harrison and uptight Mormon Donal O'Brien are estranged brothers who inherit a ranch from their mother, only to find it inhabited by a rowdy group of strip-miners. Unfortunately, getting their land back turns out to be much easier than dealing with each other or keeping a handle on the resulting cash.

Another loosely plotted, low budget entry from the waning days of the Italian western and full of the usual comedic hijinks, this is definitely no classic. However, it is somewhat more interesting than a lot of similar movies, thanks to it's stars and slightly more restrained use of comedy.

When watching Richard Harrison in something like this or his later ninja movies, it's hard to imagine why he would allegedly turn down iconic leading roles in A Fistful Of Dollars and Django!