Tag: Sergio sollima

Run Man Run

Run Man Run a.k.a. Corri uomo corri is a 1968 movie directed by Sergio Sollima.

WHAT HAPPENS?

Several groups of distinct personalities are pursuing stolen Revolutionary gold.

ONE LINE REVIEW

Run Man Run is a fun, adventurous Euro Western that showcases Tomas Milian’s physical and comic skills.

THE ACTORS

Milian revisits Cuchillo, his carefree, knife-throwing thief who originated in The Big Gundown. Too good-hearted to be considered a real anti-hero, Milian’s character is perfectly described by Chelo Alonso’s eternally frustrated Dolores: “Just look what I have to do to marry this tramp.” Milian plays up Cuchillo’s comic nature mainly through his expressive, rubbery face. However, he maintains the dangerous edge of a bandit with his precise and deadly knife attacks.

Alonso is terrific as Dolores, whose mission to marry Cuchillo is heightened when she learns of his connection to the stolen treasure. She is hilariously animated as his long-suffering love. Milian’s Cuchillo can only offer her a bounty of excuses: “If I leave you, it’s only to love you more when I come back.” Linda Veras is equally impressive as the domineering, self-righteous Penny – a Salvation Army “soldier” who schemes with her father to obtain the lost treasure.

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Face to Face

Face to Face is a 1967 movie directed by Sergio Sollima.

Face to Face tells the story of a history professor who joins a famous outlaw’s gang before assuming leadership. The two characters, Tomas Milian’s Bennet and Gian Maria Volonte’s Brad Fletcher offer distinct personalities but essentially switch roles as the movie progresses. Milian’s usual quirky charm is noticeably absent as his Bennet is brooding and conflicted. Volonte is terrific as Fletcher, whose early speeches about the philosophy of power manifest into vicious actions. Sollima’s action sequences are excellent but the movie suffers from laboring scenes and odd pacing.

THE BEST – The Action

Sollima is grossly underrated as an action director – both in terms of European Westerns and movies in general. His scenes are compact, stylish and violent. Milian’s sullen character is rescued by these scenes – he’s an efficient, brutal killer. Volonte’s weak, bookish character is transformed by similar scenes.

THE WORST – The Professor’s Miraculous Recovery

Early in the movie, Fletcher suffers from lung disease and carries an ashen, crippled appearance. Yet, as the movie progresses and Fletcher transforms into a violent bandit, his color improves and his health is essentially forgotten.

FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 3.75/5

The concept and lead actors of Face to Face are incredible but somehow the vision isn’t realized. Sollima’s action sequences are highlights but the movie suffers from slow pacing.

The Big Gundown

The Big Gundown is a 1966 movie directed by Sergio Sollima.

WHAT HAPPENS?

A lawman pursues a peasant wanted for the murder of a young girl.

ONE LINE REVIEW

The Big Gundown is a raw, stylish Euro Western featuring two terrific acting performances.

THE ACTORS

Lee Van Cleef and Tomas Milian respectively star as unofficial lawman John Corbett and infamous bandit Cuchillo. Each actor gives what is probably their greatest Euro Western performance – which given their lengthy filmographies, is an impressive statement.

Van Cleef presents his usual stoic, sardonic toughness. He’s grim and measured but retains a maniacal edge. Yet he distinguishes himself in this role by showing decidedly human traits. Power broker Brokston will reward Corbett with a Senator position if he captures Cuchillo. Throughout the pursuit, Van Cleef’s character is continually tricked and needs help to accomplish his mission.

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Revolver

Revolver is a 1973 movie directed by Sergio Sollima.

Revolver tells the story of Vito Cipriani, a jail warden whose wife is kidnapped. In order to save her, Vito has to unravel the layers of a crime syndicate and rely on a recently freed prisoner.

There’s a basic Eurocrime movie formula: an international actor duo confronts the rotten pillars of the “system”, a hippie element is introduced and wild car chases and shootouts ensue. Revolver doesn’t stray far from the blueprint, yet it transcends the genre, proving itself as a smart, stylish crime movie.

Revolver’s place as one of the best Eurocrime movies is predicated on an accomplished Spaghetti Western director in Sergio Sollima and two terrific leads in Fabio Testi and Oliver Reed.

Testi displays his usual charming and cynical qualities in portraying Milo Ruiz, a prisoner with murky underworld connections. Testi’s sardonic nature provides a counter to Reed’s intensity.

Reed is extraordinary – particularly as the movie progresses. He plays a hardened prison warden whose life is unraveled when his wife is kidnapped. Reed’s expressions of shock and rage are perfect for Eurocrime cameras – his intense eyes convey the desperation of his character.

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