Cemetery Without Crosses is a 1969 movie directed by Robert Hossein.
WHAT HAPPENS?
A widow lures a gunfighter into a kidnapping plot in order to gain revenge on a powerful family.
ONE LINE REVIEW
Cemetary Without Crosses is an exceptionally unique, moody and somber Euro Western.
THE ACTORS
Michele Mercier and Robert Hossein are atypical leads for the genre but deliver brilliant understated performances. Mercier plays Maria, a widow seeking revenge against a powerful family responsible for her husband’s murder. Mercier creates a haunting presence throughout the movie – her eyes and pained but bold expressions convey both the determination and emptiness of her situation. As the movie progresses, she gains a sense of quiet power as her vengeance is delivered through Hossein’s Manuel.
Hossein is another intriguing choice for the genre. Lacking either the typical rugged or feminine traits of many Euro Western leading men, he offers an endearing and perpetually anguished persona. He’s not a physical presence There is something broken or unreachable in Manuel – accented by his slipping on a glove before a shootout. It’s as if Hossein’s character has to change into his role of a gunfighter – something he appears consciously removed from.
THE DIRECTOR
Hossein doubles as director – pulling off a unique feat in allowing silence to build throughout the movie. In doing so, his actor’s words and simple emotions achieve a greater impact. Hossein’s character, Manuel, is among those with the fewest lines of dialogue. However, his anguished expression presents an air of mystery – similar to Mercier’s widow character. Hossein manages to create a stylish movie, using several creative POV shots and framing tricks to establish his settings and characters.
THE BEST – Graveyard Trunk Shot
As the Rogers’ Brothers are guilted into burying Maria’s dead husband, our namesake shot is revealed. We’ll call it a coffin shot and I’d like to dream that Tarantino was thinking of this movie when shooting Kill Bill.
THE BEST PART 2 – Take Your Damn Time
Of the many self-created idioms I trumpet on these pages, this is my bread and butter. I absolutely love when a director takes his/her time to tell a story. Hossein never rushes during the movie and a satisfying result occurs.
THE BEST Part 3 – Creating Villains
Hossein frames the Rogers’ Brothers in simple but interesting ways – making them appear more badass than dangerous. At times, the moments would lend themselves to more contemporary graphics or bursts of music – similar to Inglorious Bastards. It’s an impressive trick – especially since two of the brothers barely speak throughout the movie.
THE BEST Part 4 – Respecting the Audience
There are moments in Euro Westerns where you wonder if a director’s choice is based on style or finance. Here, Hossein develops a scene where Anne-Marie Balin’s Diana Rogers is kidnapped and left alone in a hotel room as Maria’s scheming brothers enter. The scene implies a sexual assault but the audience only hears a penetrating scream. Clearly, Hossein respects his viewers to make their own assumptions – but also saves some money in the process. Either way, it’s an effective and chilling scene that pays off in the movie’s climax.
THE BEST Part 5 – Actual Horse Riding
Too often in Westerns – regardless of their origin – characters riding horses feels like part of a movie’s background rather than a specific action. During a few scenes here, riding a horse looks the way it should – it’s a difficult, erratic and painful experience.
THE BEST Part 6 – The Mustard Joke
Hossein certainly indulges as a director – and given the genre, it’s hard to fault him for doing so. There’s a drawn out scene where his Manuel is eating with the extended Rogers’ family and employees. The gag involves a jar of mustard but is filmed from the penetrating perspective of a dozen eyes fixated on Manuel. It’s both a fun and intense scene and a loving send-up of the genre’s fixation on its characters’ eyes.
THE WORST – Sloppy Fight Scenes
The gunfighting is quick and precise – and ultimately satisfying for the story being told. However, one of the few faults of the movie comes when characters brawl. The punches are clumsy and detract from the unique atmosphere patiently created.
FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 4.25/5
Cemetary Without Crosses is an exceptional Euro Western. A must watch for fans of the genre.
