Tag: Peter carsten

And God Said to Cain

And God Said to Cain is a 1970 movie directed by Antonio Margheriti.

WHAT HAPPENS?

A recently freed man enacts revenge on the family that framed him for a crime.

ONE LINE REVIEW

And God Said to Cain is an incredibly original and enjoyable, moody, Gothic Western.

THE ACTORS

Klaus Kinski stars as Gary Hamilton, a man framed for a crime and sentenced to hard labor. After being pardoned, he methodically gains revenge on the family that turned on him. Kinski shows atypical restraint throughout the movie, delivering a quiet but remarkably expressive performance. In some respects, the movie doesn’t exactly require Kinski – although his signature intense eyes helps to convey the story’s murky, Gothic feel.

The rest of the supporting cast aren’t noteworthy – Peter Carsten’s Acombar – the character Kinski’s Hamilton is pursuing – overacts and doesn’t feel like a true antagonist. However, his goofy facial expressions match well with the movie’s melodramatic feel. Marcella Michelangeli steals scenes as the tormented Maria. Her melancholic glances and moody piano playing convey a Giallo sensibility amidst the occurring violence.

Continue reading “And God Said to Cain”

Dark of the Sun

Dark of the Sun is a 1968 movie directed by Jack Cardiff.

A band of mercenaries travel across a hostile stretch of the Congo to steal 50 million dollars’ worth of diamonds. Greed and infighting foil the mission and leads to deadly consequences. Rod Taylor plays the grizzled but charismatic Captain Curry and Jim Brown is the cool, idealistic Sergeant Ruffo. Peter Carsten rounds out the cast as the scheming, vicious Captain Henlein. The movie boasts terrific action scenes throughout, highlighted by a train station shootout and two combat scenes featuring Taylor and Carsten.

THE BEST – Chainsaw Fights and Hand Grenades

The Nazi sympathizer Henlein wields a chainsaw against Taylor, which is a prelude to their wild chase and vicious brawl that ends the movie. Even more impressive is Taylor and Brown’s attack on a hotel full of native rebels.

THE WORST – A Very Complicated Emotional Relationship Among Mercenaries

The movie is fairly simple – or at least it should be. There’s a ton of action and Taylor and Brown are super cool leads. Mercenaries are hunting a diamond stash in the Congo, yet we hear Brown’s Ruffo getting way too deep on Taylor’s Curry: “He won’t give you that extra part of himself…..but he’s worth it.”

Ummmm……okay. So about those diamonds.

FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 3.75/5

Dark of the Sun is a fun action movie featuring two solid leads. Unfortunately, the movie stumbles over its clumsy ideas of conscience. Yet, it’s still worth a watch.