Keoma (1976)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Enzo G. Castellari

Writers:

Enzo G. Castellari (screenplay)
Nico Ducci (screenplay)

Release Date:

27 January 1977 (West Germany)

Genre:

Drama | Western | Action

Plot:

Half-breed Keoma returns to his border hometown after service in the Civil War and finds it under the control of Caldwell...

Plot Keywords:

Half Brother | Half Breed | Revenge | Slave | Father Son Relationship

Cast

Franco Nero	...	Keoma
Woody Strode	...	George
William Berger	...	William Shannon
Donald O'Brien	...	Caldwell (as Donald O'Brian)
Olga Karlatos	...	Lisa
Giovanni Cianfriglia	...	Gang Member (as Ken Wood)
Orso Maria Guerrini	...	Butch Shannon
Gabriella Giacobbe	...	The Witch
Antonio Marsina	...	Lenny Shannon
Joshua Sinclair	...	Sam Shannon (as John Loffredo)
Leonardo Scavino	...	Doctor (as Leon Lenoir)
Wolfango Soldati	...	Confederate Soldier
Victoria Zinny	...	Brothel Owner

Also Known As:

Desperado (USA) (cut version)
Django Rides Again (USA)
Django's Great Return (USA)
Keoma il vendicatore (Italy) (alternative title)
The Violent Breed

Runtime:

Norway:97 min | Italy:105 min | West Germany:90 min

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-16 (cut) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Sweden:15 | Norway:15 (DVD release) (2007) | UK:12 (re-rating) (2004 ) (cut) | Spain:18 | West Germany:16 (f) | Singapore:PG | Finland:K-15 (cut) | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | France:-12 | Norway:16 (video rating) | UK:18 | Norway:(Banned) (1978-2003) (cinema release)

Filming Locations:

Campo Imperatore, L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy

Company:

Uranos Cinematografica

Trivia:

The storyline of the film was mostly improvised same time the film was made. First version of the script was written by Luigi Montefiori (aka George Eastman), but director Enzo G. Castellari didn't like the story. Because of problems with schedule, they written script for next day every evening after filming of the day.

Quotes:

The Witch: Why did you come back?
Keoma: The world keeps going around and around. So you always end up in the same place.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Spaghetti West (2005) (V)

An unfairly scorned and mocked movie

I know I'll have to comment this movie on a future occasion,but,for now,I want to state at least some things about it."Keoma" is a very mocked movie,even scorned,despised.Nero might have seemed to look somehow ridiculous,with his long hair and big hat;but he's not.The score could have sound ridiculous.But it does not.Various rigmaroles have been told about this unique,respectable and ambitious film which is thought by some to be ...religious.It's not.

The story of a halfbreed,a half-Indian,"Keoma" is a powerful and accomplished movie.It gets even at the poetry of the innocent happiness,although for only a few moments (Nero riding across the hilly country,once he has rescued Mrs.Karlatos for the second time). The photography is fine.

Does "Keoma" lack humor?No,because it's not supposed to have any. "Keoma" is one of Nero's best performances (he was the coolest in "Django" ,"L'Uomo,...",and,above all,in" Texas, ...").As for Strode,this is perhaps his finest part. Castellari complained about the lyrics of the soundtrack and said he doesn't like it (because of the lyrics,I guess).Well,I have found the music good enough.The whole movie is,obviously,an essay,and doesn't deserve the harshness of many unfair critics.OK,the music could be improved;but,as it is,it's not shameful,it's not bad.Let's not make too much out of that music!

Castellari has also made a good vigilante movie with Franco Nero ,in '74 ("Il Cittadino...").

Nero has made (only) 14 westerns,in 36 years.Judging by his roles in "Texas,..." and "L'uomo...",he is one of the greatest actors that ever honored the Westerns' sets with their talent."Keoma" is his 11th. Western.

Men like Margheriti,Castellari,Baldi,Fulci,Bazzoni,and many others,are for the European cinema what I. Allen,Siegel,Peckinpah,Aldrich,are for the American one.

In a future comment,I'll discuss "Keoma" more in detail.