I watched this for the first time yesterday and really enjoyed it. The pacing seems more measured than slow, with lots of tense silences and things left unsaid. I'd agree that the male lead doesn't really seem to fit the film, but other than that it's a big thumbs-up from me. A gripper.
I picked up the Anolis Ltd. edition Woodbox - through Tony at Exploited - and watched this last night for the first time and really, really enjoyed it.
The B&W cinematography that opens and closes the film,
The Rope And The Colt (sung by the always excellent Scott Walker
), the excellent guitar & horn driven score with chorus and solo female backing, the close-ups of characters against deep azure skies gives the film an unreal studio bound feel, as if the they're posing - almost statuesque like mythic greek gods - before an artificial backdrop or a bluescreen, the surreal sequence at the Roger's dinner table, reminiscent of both Sam Fuller's FORTY GUNS and Tony Richardson's TOM JONES, with the tension building and abruptly ending up in a big Dadaesque joke, and the film's climax, operatic and tragic, all mark this as an atypical, but worthy Spaghetti Western.
If you like DJANGO KILL, this will probably be right up your alley.
Anolis' Woodbox is a beaut.
The transfer itself is anamoprhic, gorgeous at times and subpar occasionally, due to the different elements used in putting together the DVD. The English audio comes through loud and clear, and there are also options for the original French, German, and Italian with optional German subs. Haven't had a chance to watch the documentary yet, in French with English or German subs, but am looking forward to it.
