GEORGE HILTON - IL MONDO E DEGLI AUDACI - Review

John Llewellyn Probert’s House of Mortal Cinema

By John Llewellyn Probert

April 22, 2019

"Excellent Documentary of a Living Legend of Italian Cinema"

Here's something of a House of Mortal Cinema exclusive - a film so hot off the presses (or rather the digital editing suite) that it's still at the stage of being considered for festivals prior to securing a distribution deal.

       

 GEORGE HILTON - THE WORLD BELONGS TO THE DARING (GEORGE HILTON - IL MONDO E DEGLI AUDACI) is a feature-length documentary about the life and career of one of the most famous and ubiquitous stars of Italian cinema's heyday. Best known nowadays for his starring roles in Westerns (SARTANA'S HERE... TRADE YOUR PISTOL FOR A COFFIN, GUNS FOR DOLLARS) and gialli (THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS WARDH, THE CASE OF THE SCORPION'S TAIL), Hilton's movie career started in 1959 and continues to the present day. 

Daniel Camargo's excellent documentary has Hilton himself telling us his life story, added to and embellished by interviews with a whole array of stars, directors and producers from his career. You'll want to know why Hilton got thrown out of a restaurant he went to with Klaus Kinski, plus his memories of other co-stars including Carroll Baker, Van Heflin, Anita Strindberg and of course Edwige Fenech.

       At one point Sartana star Gianni Garko pops in to chat and he and George enter in some fascinating reminiscences about working in the Italian Western genre. We also get thoughts and memories from directors such as Enzo G Castellari, Sergio Martino and Luigi Cozzi, as well as contributions from family members.

Shot with a crisp style and edited sensitively, GEORGE HILTON - THE WORLD BELONGS TO THE DARING manages to pack an enormous amount of information into its 106 minute running time. I certainly learned plenty of things I didn't know, and was made aware of quite a few films I'd never heard of before. 

       There are plenty of clips from Hilton's filmography throughout but Camargo's film-making skills ensure that the natural charm, charisma and likeability of its subject takes precedence. And full marks for including that terrific poster gallery that plays out next to the end credits. Essential viewing for any student of Italian cinema and anyone interested in an era of movie making that sadly is no more. Definitely catch this one at festivals if you get the chance.