50th Anniversary of “Matalo”

 

Today marks the 50^th anniversary of the premier of “Matalo” directed by Cesare Canevari, Nico Ducci, and Mino Roli (I guess just one person didn’t want to have to take credit for this mess) and starring Lou Castel, Corrado Pani, Antonio Salinas, Luis Dávila and Claudia Gravy.

Bart (Pani), a young outlaw eager to kill in cold blood, is saved from the gallows by his friends a group of ruthless bandits in order take possession of a gold shipment. He joins three shady characters – Phillip (Dávila), Ted (Salines) and Mary (Gravy) - who attack a stagecoach carrying two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. During the robbery Bart is shot and left for dead, while his accomplices reach an abandoned town, Benson City, with the loot. Their intention is to stay hidden for a few days. Sometime later a widow (Diana Sorel) and a young Australian named Ray (Castel) who is a peaceful young man whose only weapons are a few boomerangs arrive in town. Suspicious, Phillip and the other two imprison them and torture them trying to find out about a non-existent secret. Taking advantage of a temporary absence of Phillip and Mary, however, Ray manages to break free and kills Ted. Meanwhile, Bart, who is still alive, is determined to get rid of his accomplices. He goes into hiding waiting for the right moment to steal the money. During a furious shoot-out, however, Bart is beaten to death by an old lady Gertrude Benson (Ana María Noé), the sole inhabitant of the desolate town. Indifferent to the gold left by the bandits, Ray walks away with the widow.

Mátalo! – Italian title

¡Mátalo! – Spanish title

Mata-Lo! – Brazilian title

Det Stora Klippet – Dutch title

Kolmen kopla – Finnish title

Matalo – French title

Wilkomen in de Holle – German title

Kremaste ta ktini – Greek title

Kolmen Kopla – Norwegian title

Det stora klippet – Swedish title

They Called Him Matalo – English title

Kill Him! – English title

Welcome to Hell City – English title

Matalo! – English title

 

A 1970 Italian, Spanish film co-production [Rofima Cinematografica (Rome),

     Copercines Cooperativa Cinematografica, Luis S.A. (Madrid)]

Producer: Eduardo Manzanos Brochero

Director: Cesare Canevari, Nico Ducci, Mino Roli

Story: Eduardo Manzanos Brochero

Screenplay: Eduardo Manzanos (Eduardo Manzanos Brochero), Nico Ducci, Mino Roli

     (Erminio Pontiroli)

Cinematography: Julio Ortas (Julio Plaza) [Eastmancolor, widescreen]

Music: Mario Migliardi

     Song: “Matalo” sung by Giano Ton

Running time: 91 minutes

 

Cast:

Ray/Todd – Lou Castel (Ulv Quarzel)

Bart/Burt – Corrado Pani

Ted/Theo – Antonio Salines

Mary – Claudia Gravy (Maria Perin)

Phillip – Luis Dávila (Hector Gonzalez)

Mrs. Gertrude/Constance Benson – Ana María Noé

Bridget – Ana María Mendoza

Baxter – Miguel Del Castillo

Widow – Diana Sorel (Laura Jimeno)

Bearded bandit - Joaquín Parra

With: Bruno Boschetti, Mirella Pamphili (Azzurra Pamphilli)