His Name Was King is a 1971 movie directed by Giancarlo Romitelli.
His Name Was King tells the story of King, a bounty hunter who seeks revenge on the brutal gang who murdered his brother.
Here’s a quick description of this movie: it may contain the greatest Spaghetti Western theme song ever, the action scenes are well done and the Benson Brothers are classic villains.
What more do you need?
The Luis Bacalov-penned theme song is spectacular and represents everything special about the genre. It’s a song that creates a soulful, legendary aura for its main character – basically before we even meet him. However, in the true spirit of the genre, the character can’t match the soaring expectations of the song.
Veteran actor Richard Harrison plays King – aka John Marley – who is an expert tracker and bounty hunter. He looks the part and appears skilled with weapons and riding horses – prerequisites for any Western lead. He boasts a Marlboro Man, early Tom Selleck vibe but ultimately proves a bit wooden.
Harrison comes to life during the movie’s climatic final shootout. His character battered, he finally displays some much lacking emotion. Yet, he’s easily overshadowed by the dynamic Klaus Kinski who sleepwalks through his limited scenes.
There’s little reason for Kinski to even show up. His Sheriff character doesn’t have a major impact on the story. Kinski displays little emotion and only stands out in two scenes. He’s absent for large stretches of the movie. Yet Kinski is the international star power that drives intrigue.
And of course, when he’s engaged, Kinski is a captivating actor.
As the story unfolds, King’s brother is murdered by the Benson Brothers – and his wife Carol, played by Anne Puskin, takes refuge with Kinski’s Sheriff Brian. One of Brian’s deputies assaults Carol, which leads to a spectacular Kinski scene. The diminutive Kinski channels his rage into an awkward but explosive judo chop and knife throw in an act of retribution.
Kinski again emerges for the final shootout. It’s never apparent whether he’s making a deliberate acting choice or simply mocking the process, but Kinski saunters through the climatic scene before punctuating his end with a terrific death fall.
Yet the movie belongs to the brutal Benson Brothers. In terms of Western bad guys, the Bensons are top notch. They bust into King’s brother’s room – where he and his new wife Carol are consummating their marriage. It’s a cruel scene that displays their savage demeanor. As King’s pursuit later intensifies, they disguise themselves as soldiers in a fun, cowardly turn.
However, what truly establishes the Bensons as villains is found in the movie’s superb, explicit translations. This is established early as the Bensons declare: “But the great King is going to die like a stupid fuck!” and later “Give us this motherfucker and we’ll go!”
The Bensons’ comeuppance is satisfying. There is a fun shootout scene incorporating dynamite, followed by King tracking down the brothers. Another shootout follows before a final brawl that starts awkward, then turns bloody before King hangs the villain.
Romitelli offers some expansive shots of the Spanish hills – he easily captures their natural beauty. In most of these shots, King rides while Bacalov’s extraordinary theme song plays. The song is essentially the star of the movie. Different versions play throughout and are slowed down for dramatic effect.
The BEST – That Theme Song
Ennio Morricone is rightly regarded as a master of movie soundtracks, but Luis Bacalov can boast writing two of the greatest theme songs – His Name Was King and Django.
The BEST Part 2 – The Empty Rifle
There’s a fun early scene that establishes King’s skill. He’s trapped – facing four men. He hands over his rifle, which is going to be used against him. Of course, it’s not loaded. After a pause of confusion, King swiftly fires on all four.
The WORST – A Morse Code Novel
There’s an unintentionally hilarious scene where King uses sunlight to send a Morse Code message. The message is comparable to at least a five-page letter.
The WORST Part 2 – King’s Brother’s Love Scene
Even for Spaghetti Western standards, the love scene between King’s brother and Carol could rank as the most awkward ever filmed. Each character is extraordinarily corpse-like. The scene grows more clumsy as the Benson Brothers creepily watch from above.
FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 3.5/5
If it wasn’t for the theme song, His Name Was King would rank much lower. The song truly makes the movie. Yet, there is the appeal of some select Kinski scenes and the Benson Brothers are scene stealers. It’s worth a watch.
