God Forgives... I Don't! (1967)
Terrence Hill and Bud Spencer are an iconic duo in countless films. I am not versed in their movies, but this western is notable for being the first time they appeared together. I think it is mostly Bud Spencer who stands out here, simply from his physical presence and brute strength.
What I like about spaghetti westerns is that almost regardless of how mediocre the movie is, there is always some scenes or details that are unique or cool. This starts off really well. A train drives into town and all its citizens are standing on the platform ready to greet the passengers with a music band and everything. However the train just rolls through and hits the end wall. Everyone on board the train is massacred. The next is a very intense and well shot game of poker, which also beautifully sets up the main characters and premise.
So I was pretty hooked from the start, eager to see where this would go. Sort of expecting something stylish like a Sartana movie. But it sort of got boring from there. The elements are there with a quest for a big box of gold and personal rivalries that goes deep. It drags in the middle and while it does have some good fights and shootouts, it never establishes a great atmosphere. A good score can really make or break a spaghetti western, and this is rather tame.
Terrence Hill doesn’t do a whole lot for me, but Bud Spencer is showing the signs in becoming a future star in his typecasted kind of way. The script is pretty good, but it shows that it is a directorial debut and thus is a decently mediocre spaghetti western with a really cool beginning.
Rating: 3