Gritty Tales of Survival and Struggle

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MOVIE REVIEW
Savage Guns: Four Classic Westerns Volume 3
I Want Him Dead Unrated –
El Puro Unrated –
Wrath of the Wind Unrated –
Four of the Apocalypse Unrated –

Genre: Drama, Western, Action, Thriller
Year Released: 2023 Arrow Video Blu-ray
Runtime: 6h 21m
Director(s): Paolo Bianchini / Edoardo Mulargia / Mario Camus / Lucio Fulci
Writer(s): Carlos Sarabia / Fabrizio Gianni, Ignacio F. Iquino, Edoardo Mulargia / Manuel Marinero, Mario Camus, Mario Cecchi Gori, José Vicente Puente, Miguel Rubio, Alberto Silvestri, Franco Verucci / Ennio De Concini, Bret Harte, Lucio Fulci
Cast: Craig Hill, Lea Massari, José Manuel Martín / Robert Woods, Aldo Berti, Marc Fiorini / Terence Hill, Maria Grazia Buccella, Mario Pardo / Fabio Testi, Lynne Frederick, Michael J. Pollard
Where To Watch: available December 19, 2023; pre-order here www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: SAVAGE GUNS: FOUR CLASSIC WESTERNS VOLUME 3, where the Western genre is revisited and reinvented. This collection is a vivid trip through the intense emotional landscape of the “Wild West.” The films navigate a spectrum of moral dilemmas and personal vendettas, immersing viewers in an era of raw humanity and rugged landscapes.

Paolo Bianchini's I WANT HIM DEAD sets the tone for the collection, blending a tale of revenge with political undercurrents. Craig Hill's performance as a protagonist bent on retribution not only captivates but also reflects the societal conflicts of the time. While treading familiar ground, the film's narrative takes some creative detours, breathing new life into the Western genre's traditional storyline.

EL PURO, directed by Edoardo Mulargia, strips down the genre to its core. This film focuses on a gunfighter's gritty fight for survival, standing out with its minimalistic production and memorable soundtrack. The film's simplicity underscores the rawness of its setting and characters, showcasing the genre's power without the usual frills.

Mario Camus's WRATH OF THE WIND switches gears and transports viewers to 19th-century Spain, offering a fresh historical and geographical twist. Terence Hill shines as an assassin embroiled in a complex moral struggle set against political upheaval. The film's departure from classic Western motifs enriches the genre with a layer of historical depth.

The collection concludes with Lucio Fulci's FOUR OF THE APOCALYPSE, an intense exploration of human resilience and transformation. The film mixes the fates of four distinct individuals, each confronting their inner demons. The narrative probes the duality of human nature with an eclectic soundtrack that heightens the film's emotional resonance.

Together, these films form a panoramic exploration of the Western genre, each adding a distinct flavor to the narrative. Themes of revenge, redemption, and psychological exploration are seamlessly woven throughout the collection. Enhanced by Arrow Films' high-definition restoration and unique features, SAVAGE GUNS: FOUR CLASSIC WESTERNS VOLUME 3 is an essential watch for Western devotees and newcomers to the genre.

SAVAGE GUNS: FOUR CLASSIC WESTERNS VOLUME 3 is a journey into the heart of the Old West. The collection challenges viewers to grapple with the era's moral ambiguities and harsh realities. This anthology is a testament to the timeless appeal of Westerns, proving that stories set against the backdrop of rugged terrains and complex characters remain compelling. So, gear up for a cinematic ride through the dusty roads and dramatic tales of the Wild West!

Bonus Materials
4-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentations of all four films
2K restorations of all four films from the original 35mm camera negatives, with El Puro newly restored by Arrow Films for this release
Italian and English front and end titles on all four films
Restored original lossless mono Italian and English soundtracks on all four films
English subtitles for the Italian soundtracks
English subtitles available for Deaf and Hard of Hearing audiences for the English soundtracks
Brand new introductions to each film by journalist and critic Fabio Melelli
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the films by author and critic Howard Hughes
Fold-out double-sided poster featuring newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx
Limited edition packaging with reversible sleeves featuring original artwork and a slipcover featuring newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

DISC 1 – I WANT HIM DEAD
Brand new audio commentary by critics Adrian J. Smith and David Flint
The Man Who Hated Violence – brand new interview with director Paolo Bianchini
Cut and Shot – brand new interview with editor Eugenio Alabiso
Nico Unchained – archival interview with composer Nico Fidenco
English theatrical trailer
Image Gallery

DISC 2 – EL PURO
Two versions of the film: the 98-minute cut, presented in Italian and English, and the longer, 108-minute version, presented in both Italian and a newly created hybrid English/Italian mix*
Brand new audio commentary by critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson
Brand new interview with actor Robert Woods
Brand new, in-depth appreciation of the soundtrack and its composer, Alessandro Alessandroni, by musician and disc collector Lovely Jon

DISC 3 – WRATH OF THE WIND
Alternate, 106-minute Spanish-language version of the film, featuring additional and extended scenes not found in the Italian or English versions
Brand new audio commentary by author and critic Howard Hughes
The Days of Wrath – brand new interview with camera operator Roberto D’Ettorre Piazzoli
They Call It… Red Cemetery! – a short film from 2022 by filmmaker Francisco Lacerda, serving as a love letter to the spaghetti western genre
Alternate “Revenge of Trinity” opening titles, newly restored for this release
Image Gallery

DISC 4 – FOUR OF THE APOCALYPSE
Brand new audio commentary by author and producer Kat Ellinger
It Takes Four – previously unreleased interview with production manager Roberto Sbarigia
Brand new, in-depth appreciation of the film by author, critic, and Lucio Fulci scholar Stephen Thrower
Brand new, in-depth appreciation of the soundtrack and its composers, Franco Bixio, Fabio Frizzi, and Vince Tempera, by musician and disc collector Lovely Jon
Newly restored theatrical trailer
Image Gallery
* For some scenes and dialogue lines in the long version, the Italian audio is either lost or was never produced. These are presented in Spanish with English subtitles.

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]