50th Anniversary of the premier of “Requiem for a Bounty Killer” (aka Death Played the Flute)

 

Today marks the 50^th anniversary of the premier of “Lo ammazzo come un cane ma lui rideva ancora”. Directed by Angelo Pannacciò using the alias Mark Welles and starring Michael Forest, Steven Tedd and Antonio Molino Rojo. It tells the story of Nick Barton (Miachel Forest) who returning from a trip, Nick Burton (Michael Forest) finds at his ranch destroyed, his daughter Suzy (Suzanna Levi) traumatized and his wife Marilyn and her father James brutally killed. Suzy is left in the hands of Dr. Simon, her boyfriend (Chet Davis), and the faithful Martha (Ivi D’Annunzio) while Burton begins hunting the killers without any clues on who they are or how to recognize them. However, near the ranch he meets Kimble (Steven Tedd), a gunman who is also called "Whistler" for his habit of playing the lullabies on his flute in his spare time. But Kimble who was actually part of the gang led by Ramson (Antonio Molino Rojo) and was one of the participants of the massacre at the Burton ranch accepts the invitation from Nick to help him in revenge for compensation and takes the opportunity to eliminate any of the robbers before they can speak. Kimble also manages to avoid the unjust charge against him by Ramson’s brother, the sheriff. Killing Ramson, Kimble now believes his secret is safe. Nick returns to the farm where the truth is revealed by Jane that she was raped during the massacre. The girl without telling her father recognizes the rapist as Kimble and justice is then served.

 

Lo ammazzo come un cane ma lui rideva ancora – Italian title

Morrerás Como Um Cão – Brazilian title

La rancon du tueur – French title

The Dead Played the Flute – English title

Death Played the Flute – English title

Requiem for a Bounty Killer – English title

Requiem for a Bounty Hunter – U.K. title

 

A 1971 Italian film production [Universalia Vision (Rome)]

Producer: Pelio Quaglia

Director: Mark Welles (Angelo Pannacciò)

Story: Elo Pannacciò (Angelo Pannacciò)

Screenplay: Elo Pannacciò (Angelo Pannacciò), Maurizio Centini

Cinematography: Jaime Deu Casas [Technicolor, Techniscope]

Music: Daniele Patucchi

     Song: “A Man is Made of Love” sung by Ann Collin

Running time: 93 minutes

 

Cast:

Ryan/John Burton/Nick Barton – Michael Forest (Gerald Charlebois)

Kimble/Whistler – Steven Tedd (Giuseppe Cardillo)

Barton’s father – John Petty (Giovanni Petti)

Ramson – Antonio Molino Rojo

Sabata – Laurence Bien

Suzy Barton – Suzanna Levi

Suzy’s fiancée – Chet Davis (Franco Borelli)

Ryan/John Burton/Nick Barton’s wife – Anna Bacchi

Jim – Michele Branca

Reed - Raúl Aparici

Cameron – Sergio Aparici

Kelly – Juan Fairen

Al – Luciano Conti

Ransom henchman – Marcello Meconizzi, Benito Pacifico

Martha - Ivi D’Annunzio,

With: Anna Bacchi, Irio Fantini, Alceste Bogart, Itala Guitto, Itala Guitto

Stunt coordinator – Benito Pacifico