Ringo e Sua Pistola de Ouro

Dubbed movies are, at least for me, difficult to watch in part because the speech always seems out of synch -- and of course is.

This film, known variously as "Johnny Oro" and "Ringo and His Golden Pistol," almost overcomes that difficulty because of very good acting, great scenery (supposedly Italy), many and superlative stunts, and an excellent score.

And even good acting from the dubbers, something I have found rare in the past.

As to that score, I wonder if composer Carlo Savina influenced Ennio Morricone, or if Morricone influenced Savina. There are similarities in their scores, as witness this one and any of the Clint Eastwood "spaghetti Westerns."

But the story here is both unusual and clever. Written by Adriano Bolzoni and Franco Rossetti, "Ringo" presents many and varied characters as well as an involved story of Gringos and Mexicans and Apaches, back-stabbing, cowardice, courage, honor, and, yes, foolishness.

In addition, the chief villain, slimily played by Franco De Rosa, is surely one of the most evil ever portrayed on film.

Mark Damon might have appeared in a better light without a dubbed-in performance, but by and large he made a good ... well, "hero" might not be the correct term here, but as a strong protagonist Damon was quite watchable.

There is an interesting print at YouTube, with the dubbed English and Greek subtitles. I enjoyed it, and can recommend it.

Despite being directed by the legendary Sergio Corbucci, who worked on some classic spaghetti westerns like "Companeros" and "The Great Silence", this particular foreign oater is one of his lesser efforts. It's not really a bad movie, since it's never boring, but all the same it generally feels low key and not a real grabber. The background scenery isn't all that spectacular, there isn't a lot of action (though the climatic action sequence is exciting and spectacular), and there is far too much routine and predicable talk and plot turns. The worst thing about it is the depiction of the hero, who comes across for the most part as really smug and arrogant. Still, the movie doesn't manage to overstay its welcome in part due to a fairly lean running time. So in the end, the movie is kind of a mixed bag. People who dislike westerns (spaghetti or not) will probably despise it. Those who enjoy westerns (particularly in the spaghetti style) will find it more tolerable, but even they will probably admit that it's not a movie to actively seek out.

Johnny is pretty materialistic. Without a piece of gold he won't move a limb. Early in the story he could have killed bad guy Perez - but without the dime no kill. Story develops into a lonely-sheriff-versus-the-bandits one where the sheriff demonstrates his iron will to maintain law and order. Added to this familiar plot there is the element of temptation: if the town dwellers deliver Johnny to the outlaws the town would be saved. Unfortunately this sideline isn't well developed. In the end we get a good portion of action with explosions etc. Score, cinematography(too many studio shots) and acting are adequate. Was made in the same year as DJANGO with very different maverick heroes.

5 / 10.

The Quick Pitch: After bounty hunter Johnny Ringo kills his brothers, a Mexican bandit joins forces with a band of Apaches to seek his revenge.

Overall, Ringo and His Golden Gun is a good, but not great, Spaghetti Western. I may have gone in expecting way too much as the movie was directed by the great Sergio Corbucci. His films Django, The Great Silence, and Companeros are among my favorites of the genre. Ringo and His Golden Gun doesn't quite measure up to that standard. Ringo and His Golden Gun is not as dark and brutal with the over-the-top violence found in many of Corbucci's other films. It almost feels like a standard, run-of-the-mill American Western. Not that that's a bad thing, just not what I was hoping for. I found the first third of the film very entertaining - meeting Ringo and getting the basic story of what's to come. But somewhere in the second act, things started to drag a bit. The grand gunfight during the film's finale should have been a highlight, but it lacked that something special to make it memorable. Most of the acting was solid, including Mark Damon as Ringo. Though I must admit that his ridiculous looking mustache and eyeliner made me chuckle a time or two. Other positives of note include Riccardo Pallottini's cinematography and, especially, Carlo Savina's score. Savina's work on Ringo and His Golden Gun is eerily reminiscent of Ennio Morricone. I've often said that if it weren't for Sergio Leone, Sergio Corbucci would probably be better known. I'll add to that by saying that if it weren't for Morricone, Savina would no doubt be better known.

6/10

Well I think this really isn't so much worse than Sergio Leone's best movies.

Music is really great and i am sure Ennio Morricone would gladly sign under it. There are many themes and very nice "mandolin and trumpet" combinations.

Yes it's true synchronized sound is somewhat funny but it doesn't spoil the authentic filling.

There is some serious acting present by nearly all main characters. I decided to check more of Corbucci's work if i can find it somewhere. Is this movie was shot in Italy or America?

A must see movie for all spaghetti fans.