The Cruel Ones is a 1967 Italian Western directed by Sergio Corbucci.
The Cruel Ones, aka I crudeli, aka The Hellbenders tells the story of Jonas, a Confederate officer who is attempting to raise an army and continue the Civil War. Along with his sons, he steals Union money and hides it in a coffin – with the rouse that he is escorting his “daughter’s” husband’s remains.
Within the filmography of Sergio Corbucci, The Cruel Ones holds a unique position. It’s sandwiched between Django, Navajo Joe and The Great Silence – three of Corbucci’s most recognized works. It also predates his later “revolutionary period” titles The Mercenary and Companeros.
In a fitting nod to such an artistically rich sub-genre, The Cruel Ones is unlike any of Corbucci’s other Westerns. There is no mysterious drifter or overt political message to be found. It’s reliance on family and Civil War themes are more representative of American Westerns. Yet, The Cruel Ones features Corbucci’s trademark style, sounds and splashy violence.
In short, this is an impressive offering from a vastly underrated director.
The story’s concept – transporting stolen money in a coffin – is the perfect vehicle for a corrupt family to tear themselves apart. Greed and power emerge as potent forces. The family patriarch, Jonas – savagely played by Joseph Cotten – has a grand vision of restoring the defeated Confederate Army. He commands his sons in a vicious attack against Union troops, stealing millions of dollars.
The money is hidden in a coffin under the guise that a widow – first played by Maria Martin and later Norma Bengell – is transporting their dead husband back home for burial. The contrasts between the two actors gives the movie its moral compass.
Martin plays Kitty, a scheming, boozing opportunist who tries to sidle up to the crusty Jonas. She is a dynamic presence but meets an untimely end at the hands of the ill-tempered, woman-hating Jeff. Her death scene is a brutal Corbucci classic. Bengell is found by Ben, the idealistic son, in a saloon. She is an expert poker player and initially casts a haunting but vulnerable profile.
As the movie unfolds, Bengell loses her edge and morphs into the sympathetic damsel in distress archetype. She realizes the depths of Jonas’ treachery and the cruelty of his vision. She relies on Ben to protect her – despite the central role she plays in the coffin scam.
Julian Mateos plays Ben, Jonas’ youngest son. He’s a bit miscast in a Western, but brings a unique outsider sensibility to the role. He boasts a younger Ricardo Montalban quality, delivering in his intimate scenes with Bengell’s Claire. However, he’s also passable doing Western stunts.
The more memorable of the sons is Gino Pernice’s Jeff – who channels pure evil. A Corbucci veteran (he plays Brother Jonathan in Django), Pernice expresses malice with his squinty eyes. He proves the unintentional foil of Jonas’ scheme, simply by abusing women. After Kitty attempts to ride off with the coffin of money, Jeff brutally murders her. He lusts after Claire and a native girl – which causes the family its eventual undoing.
Yet, The Cruel Ones is ultimately Joseph Cotten’s movie. He is stunning as the cruel, driven patriarch Jonas. Cotten is atypical of a Corbucci villain, as he lacks the weirdness and flair of Jack Palance or raw savagery of Aldo Sambrell. However, Cotten’s menace is versatile – he’s devious and driven in his plan, captivating in his dealings with other soldiers and then coldly vicious in his treatment of Claire and his sons.
There is also a deep sense of grief tied to his character. Cotten explores Jonas’ vulnerabilities as his vision begins to crumble. The scene where he drunkenly threatens Claire is bitter and hopeless – he’s broken but incredibly lethal. It’s a fascinating and scary portrayal and among Corbucci’s most dynamic and loathsome characters.
The Cruel Ones features some terrific concentrated bursts of action. The early robbery scene is a visceral highlight – setting the tone for Jonas’ intent. Corbucci throws a wrinkle into the story by introducing Al Mulock’s beggar character. Mulock gives an excellent physical performance, as he gets kicked around by Jonas’ sons. His exit comes in a tremendous scene – he wounds Jonas before falling prey to Ben’s knife.
The finale is a perfect, tragic conclusion befitting the family’s corrupt nature. After Jeff is pursued by natives, he and brother Nat are about to square off. Ben is wedged in the middle and a bleak Mexican standoff ensues.
The BEST – It’s Corbucci
I thoroughly enjoyed The Cruel Ones and I would definitely place it within my Corbucci top five. Yet, I’m also a bit conflicted – since I’m beginning to run out of his movies.
The BEST Part 2 – Smooth Ben
In one passage, Ben paints a picture of his family dynamic before making his move on Claire: “I thought the war would have united of us. But no. I got no home. Except where you are.”
The WORST – Aldo Sambrell Only Makes a Cameo
I was pumped to see Sambrell make his entrance later in the movie, yet I shouldn’t have gotten attached. However, he does he have a great final line, telling Jonas: “I will see you in hell, Amigo!”
The WORST Part 2 – Jonas’ Rouge
Cotten’s Jonas is a vicious, despicable character. But his cheeks are simply radiating – which is a bit of a distraction.
FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 4/5
The Cruel Ones features everything you could want in a Corbucci Western – minus the signature Morricone theme song. Although it’s a bit unconventional given the director’s filmography, The Cruel Ones boasts terrific action and memorable characters. It’s worth a watch.
