Four of the Apocalypse

Four of the Apocalypse is a 1975 Western directed by Lucio Fulci.

Four of the Apocalypse tells the story of four petty criminals who find themselves on the run in the Utah desert. They are pursued by a savage outlaw before ultimately gaining retribution.

Here’s my quick review: this movie is a glorious, bloody mess.

Not much that happens in Four of the Apocalypse makes sense. The lead actor, Fabio Testi, is completely miscast in the desert. There is little reason for a pregnant prostitute, a drunk and a man obsessed with spirits to join together – nor is it clear why the crazed Chaco is following them.

Yet, the brilliance of European Westerns is that they are sloppy, weird, violent and take ridiculous chances. Fulci delivers a post-modern Western bathed in both blood and 70’s soft rock.

There’s a melodramatic quality to Four of the Apocalypse that’s more fitting of a TV mini-series. The washed out closeups and mawkish dialogue between Testi’s Stubby and Lynne Frederick’s Bunny is both sweet and horrendous. Testi is fine as a leading man – although he’s awkward in an action role. However, Frederick is given an atrocious role and plays down to its limitations.

The rest of the cast includes veteran character actor Michael J. Pollard as the drunken Clem and Harry Baird as the kind, unstable Bud. Pollard is solid in what is a one-note role. He’s built to be an accessory in Westerns. Baird is given the most unique character – he’s obsessed with communicating with the dead. However, he plays Bud with the simplicity of a developmentally stunted child.

The scene stealer is Tomas Milian, who portrays the savage Chaco. The character is a great spin on a post-Manson hippie killer. His entry into the movie – similar to all other characters – is awkward and confusing. He simply appears, asking to join Stubby’s crew. There’s a frolicking, AM radio-embellished montage where he hunts birds before morphing into evil.

Milian turns in one of his most memorable Western roles. His Chaco is equal parts chic hippie and Serpico-inspired. He’s completely lost in the maniacal role, yet his trademark charm oozes in a few scenes. His transformation into drug-fueled carnage is the highlight of the movie. The rape scene is obviously disturbing and cements the character as a hated outlaw.

The tone of the movie switches – as it repeatedly does – as Chaco drugs the four with peyote. He rapes Bunny and shoots Clem before escaping. Yet this period of darkness is short-lived, as Milian’s Chaco virtually disappears from the movie.

They enter a new town, where a motley group of males are trying to establish a new settlement. Here, Clem dies and Bunny gives birth before dying herself. It’s a somber, melodramatic shift, punctuated by two of the worst movie death scenes you’ll encounter. The remainder of the movie centers on Bunny’s baby and Stubby’s efforts to gain revenge on Chaco.

Testi is an intriguing actor – you can easily glimpse his charm and leading man characteristics. However, he’s limited by Stubby’s character. Stubby is a gambler and swindler, yet we see few of those qualities throughout the movie. He’s awkward when he finally gains vengeance on Chaco – there are few actors who make holding a gun look less convincing. In a nod to European Western weirdness, his weapon of choice is probably a shaving kit.

The BEST – Stubby’s Suitcase

Stubby may not be outwardly skilled at many things, but he is all about organization. His suitcase is an oddly satisfying sub Reddit – everything neatly compacted, including his secret weapon shaving kit.

The BEST Part 2 – Stubby’s Dog Buddy

Stubby rides off into the sunset and is joined by a stray dog – because why not?

The BEST Part 3 – Stubby the Surgeon

For a moment, we finally realize a talent Stubby possesses. He skillfully removes a slug from Clem’s knee. However, Clem later dies – likely from infection. Then, Stubby looks bewildered as Bunny does the same. So much for that.

The BEST Part 4 – God and Babies

Bruno Corazzari’s Lemmy takes the award for best one-liners. Lemmy is the grumpy character tasked with delivering Bunny’s baby. He’s brilliantly frustrated and existential, asking: “what the hell does God have to do with delivering babies?” He’s also curious: “I’m wanted for whatever comes after bigemy.”

The WORST – Oh by the Way, Bunny’s Dead

The men of Aldeville are so smitten with the arrival of Bunny’s baby – the proverbial pure inspiration for their new city – that Bunny’s tragic death goes largely unnoticed. It’s a shame, since Frederick pretends she’s in a horror movie during this scene.

The WORST Part 2 – Clem is Dinner

Bud turns out to be a bizarre character. He’s child-like, but incredibly kind. His fascination with ghosts is never fully explored and becomes a crutch to hang insanity on. As such, he decides to serve part of Clem’s dead body before vanishing among the abandoned houses of Aldeville.

FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 3.75/5

Four of the Apocalypse is both a huge mess and brilliant European Western. It is a bizarre but entertaining combination of soft 70’s style and brutal violence. Not everything works – which is ideal for a genre that takes risks. It’s definitely worth a watch – especially to catch Tomas Milian in one of his most memorable performances.