Keoma (1976)

The `Spaghetti Western' Masterpiece From The Producer Of DJANGO

Franco Nero (DJANGO, THE FIFTH CORD) is KEOMA, a half-breed gunfighter weary of killing as a way of life. But when he returns to his troubled childhood home, Keoma is caught in a savage battle between innocent settlers, sadistic bandits and his vengeful half-brothers. In a wasteland gone mad with rage and pain, can one man massacre his way to redemption?

KEOMA is an extraordinary combination of potent symbolism, powerful performances and relentless violence, brilliantly directed by Enzo G. Castellari (STREET LAW, THE BIG RACKET). Woody Strode (ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST), William Berger (DJANGO STRIKES AGAIN) and Olga Karlatos (ZOMBIE) co-star in this one-of-a-kind classic that fans and critics consider to be one of the greatest `Spaghetti Westerns' of all time.

One of the last spaghetti westerns

Made in 1976, Keoma was released at the tail end of the spaghetti western craze, but it's one of the best either way. Following the Civil War, half-breed gunman Keoma returns home to find the town taken over by an ex-Confederate soldier, Caldwell, and his gang and the townspeople suffering from a form of the plague. Caldwell isn't letting in help or medicine of any kind. Keoma saves a young pregnant woman and immediately comes under the thumb of Caldwell and his gang. Another surprise is in store when Keoma's three half brothers are in the gang, the brothers who hated him and beat him growing up and would like nothing more than to get revenge. This is a pretty dark film, almost apocalyptic in some ways, and is really a blend of 70s westerns made in the US and everything that made spaghetti westerns so great. Keoma has a folksy theme song that's a little overused but very haunting at times, lots of flashbacks, and stylized, slow-motion violence right out of a Sam Peckinpah movie. It's not your typical spaghetti western, but it's still one of the best.

In maybe his best role in a spaghetti western, Franco Nero plays Keoma, the half-breed gunman trying to clean up his hometown after the Civil War. With long hair, scruffy beard, and torn clothes, Keoma looks like an extra out of the Mad Max movies! The humor so typical from Nero's parts aren't there, but it's a great performance. William Berger matches Nero as Will Shannon, Keoma's father who has seen his family torn apart since the war. One scene with Keoma and Will talking about how things have changed is worth the price of the DVD alone. So often given physical roles with little story importance, Woody Strode gets a great part as George, an old man who's known Keoma for years and sides with him upon his return. Don't worry though, Strode gets some very cool scenes with a bow and arrow. Donald O'Brien is good in a smaller part as Caldwell, the ruthless leader of a murderous gang. Olga Karlatos plays Lisa, the pregnant woman Keoma saves, with Orso Maria Guerrini, Antonio Marsina, and Joshua Sinclair playing Butch, Lenny, and Sam, Keona's vengeful brothers.

The Blue Underground DVD is a must-have for fans of the genre with a beautiful widescreen presentation. Special features include "Keoma: Legends Never Die," an informative 10-minute interview with Nero about the movie, a commentary with director Enzo Castellari, talent bios, and a trailer. So for a trippy, but highly enjoyable spaghetti western with great parts for Nero, Berger, and Strode, check out Keoma! November 3, 2008

A magical and beautiful spaghetti western.

Keoma is a unique and wonderful film. It has what you would want from any spaghetti western, and perhaps a bit more. Franco Nero is excellent as the title character. His Italian accent just fits perfectly for some reason. The story starts out simply enough, and soon becomes an epic tale of revenge, with great action and excellent slow motion scenes permeating the gunfights. My only complaint is the soundtrack, which can sometimes get out of hand and ridiculous, but it doesn't take up the whole movie, thankfully.

If you really enjoy movies like Django, For a Fistful of Dollars, or The Great Silence, then you shouldn't hesitate to pick this one up. You'll be pleasantly surprised. June 2, 2008

A Fantastic Ital Western Flawed by Soundtrack

The perfect Italian western with all the right ingredients, except a soundtrack. Don't get me wrong the instrumental of the soundtrack is great, but the voices are not that great. A must for Nero fans, you'll be pleased. March 5, 2008

A different movie

I try to collect all of the stuff that specific actor's/director's play/direct, but there are some exclusions. There are also many DVDs from directors/actors that I respect, but don't collect everything. Finally there are some specific movies which do not relate to any of my favourites. Such is Keoma. I don't collect western movies (except for those three movies with Leone-Eastwood connection), I don't collect Franco Nero's movies, I didn't follow Enzo Castellano's movies as well, but this movie is outstanding, a different one.

Everything is simple: the story line (they started filming without script in their hands!), the actors, camera work, but the overall result gives something different than a simple bang-bang movie. One has to watch it first to understand. This is a metaphorical expression of life and death which requires some brain work from a watcher. And from listener too! The music/songs are indivisible from the movie (as it was planned to be). The vocal is nervous, yes, but such is the film, and our life, in fact. It does not leave a listener indifferent, it captures, it tells the story, it leads from the beginning to the end.

The only disadvantage is that the movie is in Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, but I forgot about it at all by the middle of the movie. Since ther is (was?) no other choice, I decided not to lower my rating down to 4 stars.

The picture quality is, I believe, the best possible for the moment, because Blue Underground would make it better if they had a chance. I hope it is so. January 20, 2008

One of Franco Nero's best

I thought Keoma was just a wonderful spaghetti western film . Franco Nero as always manages to give another great performance. Enzo G.Castellari gives wonderful direction to this western classic. 8/10

I would recommend anything from Corbucci to Leone. I'd also recommend Castellari's Street Law , The Big Racket , and The Heroin Busters.

[...]. July 16, 2007

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