Maligned in some quarters, but actually a good all round Spaghetti Western. I suspect it's been the victim, like many European films of the period, of bad quality pan and scan VHS prints, and it must be said, some shocking dubbing. I managed to watch it via a nice print in the correct aspect ratio, though the dubbing is slightly frustrating still. Editing is a bit heavy in places, though this may have been done subsequently, by censors or distributors looking to shorten/adjust the film. Otherwise the direction, along with the acting is fine by comparison to most others in the genre. There are plenty of action scenes too, both fist and gun fights, along with a political plot line to keep the film moving along at a reasonable pace. Always a great pleasure to see the stunning Rosalba Neri in action, although sadly along with the other instantly recognisable face in the film - that of the irrepressible Fernando Sancho - she is somewhat under used. The lead, Willy Colombini (aka James Newman) is however no Giuliano Gemma, or even an Anthony Steffen for that matter, but does an OK job, and he looks the part it must be said. The film itself does too, with some very nice scenic locations and the cinematography is pretty good. All in all, a good and very entertaining film generally, though like most films of this style, needs to be watched subjectively and with an open mind. A very decent entry into the Spaghetti Western genre in my opinion.
2 Reviews
So-so and very mediocre Spaghetti Western with extraordinary appearance by the great Fernando Sancho
ma-cortes10 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Johnny Texas (Willi Colombini) is recruited by the United States Rangers , he is requested by Colonel Steward (Fernando Sancho) to negotiate the passage of pioneer wagon trains bound for Oregon, through a valley in the region that is dominated by a hallucinated bandit known as O'Connor (Howard Ross) who commands his army of bandits known as the "Desperados". O'Connor is a former friend of the Johnny Texas gang. Johnny also has his head on the line across the country for his murders and robberies and since Johnny is already in business, Chief Steward of the Rangers, blackmails Johnny into trying to negotiate , as he is hired to find a safe passage for a wagon train and impatient settlers to the West. Then Johnny schemes some crazy plan , as he can take down O'Connor's fortress, blowing it up . Along the way , Johnny ends up having an affair with Rosita (Rosalba Neri), a mixed-race lover in his spare time. Johnny has to take out the gang of his old friend O'Connor for money or force. These bandits are still busy pillaging the passenger caravans of the settlers . A deal made with O'Connor seems to be successful, but at the first opportunity he betrays Johnny and attacks a wagon train and ends up seizing a lot of gold and, above all, dynamite causing the game to suddenly change due to his firepower.
Everyone in this movie has some psychotic symptoms and showing violent shootouts with high body count . In fact , in "Johnny Texas is wanted" a large number of Americans, five Mexicans and one woman die in the blink of an eye, all gunslingers are happy-trigger . They feel that in their nervousness as they pull the trigger on whatever their motives are . Stars the unknown Willi Colombini as Johnny Texas , the latter is a bad character : wanted for murder and bank robbery in the country, he has a waiting for his crimes and with that it becomes easy for Colonel Steward to convince him to do him this small favor and in exchange for his freedom and their crimes are forgiven by the government , eventuallyJohnny ends up getting his last chance to send "Los Desperados" to the grave , blow up the hideout, and get the gold back. Actor Willy Colombini who appears here under the pseudonym James Newman has made a few Roman epics and other B-films. Co-stars Howard Ross as his merciless contender , he is the psychotic and trigger-happy gunslinger who murders without mercy . The director included a government spy Lucía Cansino nicely played by gorgeous Monika Brugger, ex-Miss Bavaria , who steals the show disguised as a dancer and who together with Johnny will form a beautiful duo to further fill the blood trail along with three more prisoners from their former gang , who are freed by the feat, among them "Sam" the fine actor Dante Maggio always present in roles of revolutionary and Mexican leaders. Interestingly also a brief appearance by Nerio Bernardi as US Army General , Erna Schurer who played various Nazi-exploitation , and other very secondary starlets as Mirella Pamphili and Rossella D'Aquino . Speaking of them, the women in this movie are totally ignored and trivialized by their possessors and they seem to enjoy it . Special mention for Rosalba Neri who has a brief appearance in this film and is raped and murdered by a stranger from O'Connor's gang. That's why O'Connor kills eight of his Desperados in front of Johnny to show him and leave no doubt that one of the eight was Rosita's murderer, trying to show her revenge for . Of course , the always great Fernando Sancho stands out as a two-fisted Colonel of the Texas Rangers who'll stop at nothing to get his purports and at whatever cost .
Good music by Marcello Gigante , a very different opening theme by Spaghetti standards, using only female vocal arrangements with the sensational voice of lyric singer Gianna Spagnulo and a church bell ringing in the background. Musical score is very suggestive in the wake of Morricone standards . Johnny Texas has some beautiful locations in Lazio and Rome photographed by cameraman Emilio Varriano . A violent and bloodthirsty film directed by director Emmimmo Salvi .This craftsman wrote and directed all kinds of genres , such as : Peplum/Adventures : Seven Adventures of Ali Baba or Le 7 fatiche di Alì Babà , Titan versus Vulcanus , david and Goliath , Giant of Metropolis or Il gigante di Metropolis , Treasure of the Petrified Forest , Sinbad and the seven Saracens ; Spaghetti : Wanted Johnny Texas , Three bullets for Ringo ; Monster movie : Un gangster venuto da Brooklyn ; Eurospy : None But the Lonely Spy . Rating : 4.5/10. Regular and exaggerated Spaghetti Western , only for hardcore aficionados and completists.
Everyone in this movie has some psychotic symptoms and showing violent shootouts with high body count . In fact , in "Johnny Texas is wanted" a large number of Americans, five Mexicans and one woman die in the blink of an eye, all gunslingers are happy-trigger . They feel that in their nervousness as they pull the trigger on whatever their motives are . Stars the unknown Willi Colombini as Johnny Texas , the latter is a bad character : wanted for murder and bank robbery in the country, he has a waiting for his crimes and with that it becomes easy for Colonel Steward to convince him to do him this small favor and in exchange for his freedom and their crimes are forgiven by the government , eventuallyJohnny ends up getting his last chance to send "Los Desperados" to the grave , blow up the hideout, and get the gold back. Actor Willy Colombini who appears here under the pseudonym James Newman has made a few Roman epics and other B-films. Co-stars Howard Ross as his merciless contender , he is the psychotic and trigger-happy gunslinger who murders without mercy . The director included a government spy Lucía Cansino nicely played by gorgeous Monika Brugger, ex-Miss Bavaria , who steals the show disguised as a dancer and who together with Johnny will form a beautiful duo to further fill the blood trail along with three more prisoners from their former gang , who are freed by the feat, among them "Sam" the fine actor Dante Maggio always present in roles of revolutionary and Mexican leaders. Interestingly also a brief appearance by Nerio Bernardi as US Army General , Erna Schurer who played various Nazi-exploitation , and other very secondary starlets as Mirella Pamphili and Rossella D'Aquino . Speaking of them, the women in this movie are totally ignored and trivialized by their possessors and they seem to enjoy it . Special mention for Rosalba Neri who has a brief appearance in this film and is raped and murdered by a stranger from O'Connor's gang. That's why O'Connor kills eight of his Desperados in front of Johnny to show him and leave no doubt that one of the eight was Rosita's murderer, trying to show her revenge for . Of course , the always great Fernando Sancho stands out as a two-fisted Colonel of the Texas Rangers who'll stop at nothing to get his purports and at whatever cost .
Good music by Marcello Gigante , a very different opening theme by Spaghetti standards, using only female vocal arrangements with the sensational voice of lyric singer Gianna Spagnulo and a church bell ringing in the background. Musical score is very suggestive in the wake of Morricone standards . Johnny Texas has some beautiful locations in Lazio and Rome photographed by cameraman Emilio Varriano . A violent and bloodthirsty film directed by director Emmimmo Salvi .This craftsman wrote and directed all kinds of genres , such as : Peplum/Adventures : Seven Adventures of Ali Baba or Le 7 fatiche di Alì Babà , Titan versus Vulcanus , david and Goliath , Giant of Metropolis or Il gigante di Metropolis , Treasure of the Petrified Forest , Sinbad and the seven Saracens ; Spaghetti : Wanted Johnny Texas , Three bullets for Ringo ; Monster movie : Un gangster venuto da Brooklyn ; Eurospy : None But the Lonely Spy . Rating : 4.5/10. Regular and exaggerated Spaghetti Western , only for hardcore aficionados and completists.
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