“Tampeko” [archived magazine article]

 

Katholisches Wochenblatt und der Landmann

June 23, 1967

Italian Film – American Story

 

The Turbulent Past of the New Worl 

The setting for the thrilling color film “Tampeko” (Fort Yuma Gold) is the region between Colorado and New Mexico, shortly after the end of the American Civil War.

     A Union patrol returns to Camp Davis, its numbers severely depleted by clashes with bandits. However, the unit brings two prisoners back to the camp. One is immediately shot on Captain Lefevre’s orders, while the other manages to save his life by revealing a crucial secret: 800 Confederates led by Major Sanders—who are continuing to fight despite the ceasefire—are preparing an attack on Fort Yuma. Sanders has joined forces with the bandit leader Riggs to seize the cash reserves held at the fort.

     This message prompts the commander of Camp David to send a messenger to Yuma immediately. However, none of his men are familiar with the Colorado territory.

     Among the prisoners in the camp is Gary, a young officer from Colorado. He agrees to guide Captain Lefevre and Sergeant Pitt in order to save his comrades from being wiped out by this senseless attack.

     The three men set out on the dangerous journey. Pitt, an old hand, immediately strikes up a friendship with the young and daredevil Gary. Lefevre, however, remains reserved and suspicious.

     In Alamosa, Gary meets a very sweet and spirited variety-show girl named Connie who is on her way to Brighton. He protects Connie from unwanted advances by other men, and it seems the two have taken a liking to each other—yet their paths lead in opposite directions.

[Sophie Daumer and Giuliano Gemma in a scene from the Western “Tampeko”, which recalls a tragic chapter in American history.]

[Giuliano Gemma as Gary Tampeko and Jose Calvo as Sam in the color film “Tampeko,” which depicts the adventures of a brave man during the Civil War.]

[Giuliano Gemma, one of the most sought-after heroes of the current wave of Westerns, also has to face many tests of courage in the film “Tampeko”.]

     Riggs’s men are lying in wait for Gary and his companions in a treacherous canyon. They are met with a hail of bullets. Thanks to his alertness, Gary manages to evade the attackers just in time. Amidst a massive sandstorm, he and Pitt reach the canyon exit. But before they can reach safety, Pitt is struck by a bullet from behind. The angle of the shot puzzles Gary, as the bandits had entrenched themselves high above them. As the sandstorm reaches its peak, Gary forces the pursuing Lefevre to hand over the message. He ties him up and continues on alone. Has Gary broken his word, or is Lefevre the true traitor?

[The young, charming, and golden-blonde Frenchwoman Sophie Daumier plays the female lead—"Connie"—in the new Western color film “Tampeko”.]

     Gary reaches the river and saves the ferry carrying the stagecoach, where Connie is in danger. Meanwhile, Lefevre is freed by a Union patrol and pursues Gary, immediately opening fire on him. A gunfight ensues, but Gary soon runs out of ammunition. He hides the message in Connie's suitcase just as a bullet strikes him; he falls into the water and is swept away by the current.

     Sam, an old prospector, finds Gary, rescues him, and nurses him back to health. Gary first entrusts his rescuer with the message that absolutely must be delivered to Yuma. Together, they set out for Brighton to look for Connie. However, Gary is ambushed once again; he is knocked unconscious and taken to Riggs' hideout, where he comes face-to-face with the traitor Lefevre.

     The bandits now try to force Gary to reveal the location of the message through inhumane torture. But Gary remains silent. He is a broken wreck of a man when Connie finds him. She succeeds in persuading Riggs to spare Gary's life.

     Gary, who was only seemingly blinded by the torture, now turns on his guards. Meanwhile, Sam has reached Fort Yuma and delivered the message to the commander. He then rides out toward the Confederates with a white flag to prevent their attack.

    In the tunnel leading to the fort, Gary kills the bandit leader and Major Sanders in a deadly fight. Captain Lefevre flees outside and sets fire to the wooden shack where Connie is being held captive. Gary is forced to use his last two rounds to blow open the shack's door so Connie can escape. Gary’s situation appears hopeless, as Lefevre knows he must be out of ammunition. A small revolver—a keepsake from Sergeant Pitt—proves to be Gary’s salvation. Lefevre dies, and Gary carries Connie, dazed by the smoke, away from the burning shack. When she opens her eyes, she says with a smile: "You’re one hell of a guy, Cowboy!"

[The era of the American Civil War offers a wealth of material for novelists and filmmakers alike. One film that seeks to reconnect with the classic Western tradition is “Tampeko”, in which Giuliano Gemma portrays the title character with remarkable sensitivity.