Keoma is a 1976 movie directed by Enzo G. Castellari.
Keoma tells the story of a gunfighter who returns to his plague-ravaged hometown to battle his half-brothers and discover a meaning for his life. Franco Nero plays the title character – a half-breed former soldier attempting to find meaning in his nomadic existence.
In some respects, Keoma is a post-modern European Western – which is an oxymoron of sorts given the sub-genre’s genesis. Or at the least, Keoma represents the sunset on a wildly inventive, creatively pure era of movie making.
Either way, we get Franco Nero doing his best Jesus-esque, half-breed post-modern Hippie impersonation.
Nero plays a character very familiar to Western fans – the half-breed fighting for the respect of his family. Yet, the role feels unique given the actor’s background – particularly as Sergio Corbucci’s suave, selfish mercenary. In Keoma, Nero is an earthy, introspective fighter for the oppressed.
The setting also offers a fresh perspective – there’s a bombed out, apocalyptic feel to Keoma’s hometown. Addressed as only “the plague”, victims are rounded up and discarded in camps outside of town. The survivors – including Keoma’s three half-brothers – pledge their support to Donald O’Brien’s ruthless baron Caldwell.
Into this environment enters Keoma – whose only support comes in the form of his father, who has become a fading symbol of morality. William Berger plays Keoma’s father and the casting is brilliant. Berger looks like an older Nero and possesses a similar easy swagger.
Keoma’s brothers are effective bad guys and an odd blend of styles and looks. They’re a wonderful, accidental tribute to the international casting prevalent in European Westerns. Orso Maria Guerrini, Antonio Marsina and Joshua Sinclair play characters who are respectively self-entitled, brutal and vulnerable.
The cast is rounded out by Western veteran Woody Strode, who portrays family friend and expert archer George. George is the sympathetic drunk who is bullied by the brothers. He is vilified, called the N-word and urinated on. Strode is dynamic in his scenes – he carries a vibrant, physical presence. Keoma’s return motivates George – his death scene is memorable as he lurches forward, riddled with gunshots. It’s a fitting end for the character’s redemption.
Olga Karlatos plays Liza, the plague-infected woman Keoma rescues. Her role is a more physical one and plays on the archetype of the pregnant woman in the West. However, the intensity of her eyes convey much about her situation – her close-up bright eyed stare downs with Nero are the stuff of Spaghetti Western legends.
Nero is a presence as Keoma. It’s a unique Western role for him – one that emphasizes the philosophical bent of a character trying to discover the truths of his existence. He’s far from infallible and mostly damaged – yet he mystically appears to exact justice.
Stylistically, Keoma achieves a rare feat in its originality. Castellari combines quick cuts and dreamy flashbacks to recreate Keoma’s childhood and enhance the current conflict. The use of slow motion, athletic reactions to bullets and punches landing is a unique device in a sub-genre where everything’s been seen before.
The sensory highlight of the movie sees Liza experiencing unbearable pain as she gives birth. The scenes are mixed with Keoma and his brothers hunting each other. Liza’s visceral screams take the place of bullets being fired. The brothers die as the baby is born.
The BEST – The Price of Four Bullets
The best visual of the movie comes as Keoma takes down four henchman. He counts down – his grimy fingers revealing each man before mowing them down.
The BEST Part 2 – The Negative Native
A local woman appears throughout the movie essentially to chastise Keoma for the destruction he will inevitably cause. At the movie’s onset, she urges him to leave. She then predicts he won’t be able to save Liza. Later, she intervenes to save Keoma – an act that ultimately screws her in the end, depending on your sensibilities.
The BEST Part 3 – The Opening Narrative Song
Similar to other European Westerns of the time, Keoma opens with a soaring, Joni Mitchell-esque theme song that serves as a background for sprawling, gorgeous Spanish hills. The spirit is reminiscent of Billy Jack and endlessly comforting.
The WORST – The Other Narrative Songs
Yet, the songs continue throughout the movie and become weirdly explicit and a bit intense.
The WORST Part 2 – Dumping Off the Baby
After Liza dies and the brothers are vanquished, Keoma again encounters the weathered, desperate Negative Native. She is now burdened with raising a baby as Keoma proclaims the child can never die “because it’s free.” He is as well – riding off into the sunset while the Native gets the raw end of the deal.
The WORST Part 3 – “I’m Bound to Catch the Plague”
44-year old European Westerns are a great escape from today’s rampant problems. However, when you glimpse handkerchief masks and people keeping their distance, it quickly brings it back to reality.
FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 3.75/5
Keoma accomplishes a great deal simply by being a unique European Western at a time of the genre’s extinction. Nero is terrific as usual in a novel role for him. The post-apocalyptic feel is a great metaphor for the genre and there is plenty of action and style to savor. The story drags at times, but Keoma is definitely worth a watch.
