Gone on Vacation

‘For a Few Dollars More’ celebrated in Nijar

The cultural association of Cabo de Gata remembered today 50 years of feature films in Los Albaricoques.

 

La Voz de Almeria

By Evaristo Martinez

7/25/2015

‘For a Few Dollars More’, the second of Sergio Leone’s ‘dollar trilogy’, is rmemebered on its fiftieth birthday. Half a century since Lee Van Cleef, Clint Eastwood and Gian Maria Volonte faced off are seen once again in Los Albaricoques, Nijar, in one of the major climaxes in the history of the western. To celebrate this anniversary, the cultural association Cabo de Gata-Nijar, with the sponsorship of the City, recreated Saturday July 25th the final duel. The event, christened with the name of 'Crazy for Spaghetti Westerns', will began at 8 p.m. and included the participation of fifteen actors.

The cast of actors, composed of personnel from the villages west of Tabernas and Níjar are residents of this hamlet and helped recreate some scenes of the film through the streets that Clint Eastwood, Lee van Cleef and Sergio Leone walked. They interpreted the initial sequences of 'A Fistful of Dollars', the first film that rolled in Almeria Leone and was honored after five decades last year.

After the performance, at 10 p.m. speeches were held giving thanks to the organizers and local authorities.

Sergio Leone died on April 30, 1989. A heart attack ended his life when he was 60 and, although his career was not very extensive, he left to posterity a handful of titles that not only redefined the western genre, but the language itself of the cinema. "I dislike that everyone points to me as the father of the spaghetti western. Because I'm the father, yes, but there are a lot of bastards" he exclaimed over a crowd of imitators who led to the international success of his ‘ dollar trilogy’, shot in different Spanish locations and filmmakers discovered the world landscapes of Almeria.

"Leone found here not only the Mexican people he wanted but characters with those characteristics. We were lucky that ‘peliculeros’, as we called them, helped us survive economically, since many residents worked as extras and crew members explains Manuel Hernandez, who owns the Hostal Rural Alba Restaurant in Los Albaricoques.

Lost treasures of Almería

From the Hostal Rural Alba Restaurant  in Los Albaricoques. Was used as Aguascalientes in For a Few Dollars More’ and Manuel Hernandez seeks to recover the "many treasures" Almeria has not always taken advantage of.

Hernandez also belongs to the Cultural Association Cabo de Gata-Nijar, which seeks to pay homage to the past of these places of film such as was shown on Saturday.

For him, Almería "is still in debt" to Leone, as his cinema discovered places that are still known and remembered after 50 years.

National Day of the Cowboy 2015

RESOLUTION

Designating July 25, 2015, as “National Day of the American Cowboy”.

Whereas pioneering men and women, recognized as “cowboys”, helped to establish the American West;

Whereas the cowboy embodies honesty, integrity, courage, compassion, respect, a strong work ethic, and patriotism;

Whereas the cowboy spirit exemplifies strength of character, sound family values, and good common sense;

Whereas the cowboy archetype transcends ethnicity, gender, geographic boundaries, and political affiliations;

Whereas the cowboy, who lives off the land and works to protect and enhance the environment, is an excellent steward of the land and its creatures;

Whereas cowboy traditions have been a part of American culture for generations;

Whereas the cowboy continues to be an important part of the economy through the work of many thousands of ranchers across the United States who contribute to the economic well-being of every State;

Whereas millions of fans watch professional and working ranch rodeo events annually, making rodeo one of the most-watched sports in the United States;

Whereas membership and participation in rodeo and other organizations that promote and encompass the livelihood of cowboys span every generation and transcend race and gender;

Whereas the cowboy is a central figure in literature, film, and music and occupies a central place in the public imagination;

Whereas the cowboy is an American icon; and

Whereas the ongoing contributions made by cowboys and cowgirls to their communities should be recognized and encouraged: Now, therefore, be it

Spaghetti Western Locations

We continue our search for locations for “The Gatling Gun”. After Chris makes contact with Jeremiah Grants brothers and showing him the letter allowing him to use his name, he rides into Las Cruces and pays a visit to the local dentist Dr. Alan Curtis. Curtis is working undercover for the U.S. Government. Chris explains what his mission is Doc Curtis tells Tanner that the main stronghold of the Confederates in the area is at a ranch owned by Belle Boyd. After filling Curtis he tells him he may need further help from him a rides away.

The town set used for Las Cruces was the American western set at Elios Studios in Rome, Italy. 

For a more detailed view of this site and other Spaghetti Western locations please visit my friend Yoshi Yasuda’s location site: http://y-yasuda.net/film-location.htm  and Captain Douglas Film Locations http://www.western-locations-spain.com/