Today marks the 50th anniversary of the premier of the
Italian comedy western “The Magnificent West” directed by Gianni Crea and
starring Vassili Karis. The film tells the story of a young gunslinger
named Texas Bill (Karis ) and his friend Pistola (Italo Gaseperini) who save an
innkeeper and his daughter Mary (Fiorella Mannoia) from the hands of two
outlaws just a few years after saving two brothers, Fred and Jim , from an
unjust hanging. Their dual action raises the ire of Martin (Gordon Mitchell), a
gang leader who dominates, with terror the city of Tucson. He tries to get rid
of Texas Bill by having him jailed, but the young gunman, with the help of
Pistola, escapes and joins a group of farmers who have settled in a village a
few miles from Tucson. Anticipating a showdown with Martin's men, they are
prepared to meet the gang head-on and when they do attack are soundly defeated.
Martin’s rule is reduced to impotence, Texas
along with Mary, rides off to new adventures.
Il magnifico west – Italian title
Texas Bill – Brazilian title
Une corde a l’aube – French title
El Oeste magnifico – Spanish title
My Name is Texas Bill – English title
The Magnificent Texan – U.K. title
The Magnificent West – U.S.A. title
A 1972 Italian film production [Dinmanica (Rome)]
Producer: Elio Ottaviani
Director: Gianni Crea
Story: Gianni Crea
Screenplay: Gianni Crea
Cinematography: Giovanni Raffaldi [Eastmancolor, widescreen]
Music: Stelvio Cipriani
Running time: 84 minutes
Cast:
Texas
Bill – Vassili Karis (Vassili Karamesinis)
Lefty Jim – Lorenzo Fineschi
Fred – Derio Pino (Dario Pino)
‘Pistola’ – Italo Gasperini
Sam Gun – Gennarino Pappagalli
Martin – Gordon Mitchell (Charles Pendleton)
Martin henchman – Artemio Antonini, Enzo Pulcrano (Vincenzo
Pulcrano), Sergio
Scarchilli
Mary – Fiorella Mannoia
Bearded Martin henchman – Emilio Messina
Girl at dance – Olga Bisera (Olga Vukotic)
Spy - Pino Mattei (Giuseppe Mattei)
With: Mimmo Raffa (Domenico Raffa)
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