Journey Into the Heart of Italian Westerns

Read Time:5 Minute, 52 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Blood Money: Four Western Classics Vol. 2 [Limited Edition]
$10,000 Blood Money, Vengeance is Mine, Find a Place to Die & Matalo! (Kill Him)
NR/ – / / /

Genre: Drama, Western, Action, Thriller
Year Released: 2023 Arrow Video Blu-ray
Runtime: 6h 10m
Director(s): Romolo Guerrieri/Giovanni Fago/Giuliano Carnimeo/Cesare Canevari
Writer(s): Franco Fogagnolo (screenplay,) Ernesto Gastaldi (screenplay,) Luciano Martino (screenplay,) Sauro Scavolini (screenplay collaborator)/Sergio Martino, Ernesto Gastaldi/Lamberto Benvenuti (story,) Leonardo Benvenuti (additional material,) Giuliano Carnimeo (screenplay,) Hugo Fregonese (screenplay)/Mino Roli, Nico Ducci, Eduardo Manzanos
Cast: Gianni Garko, Jeffrey Hunter, Pascale Petit, Claudio Camaso, Loredana Nusciak, Adriana Ambesi, Massimo Sarchielli, Dada Gallotti, Franco Lantieri, Pinuccio Ardia, Ermelinda De Felice, Aldo Cecconi, Renato Montalbano, Peggy Nathan, Fernando Sancho, Ferdinando Poggi, Giovanni Pallavicino, Daniela Giordano, Serafino Profumo, Adolfo Lastretti, Nello Pazzafini, Reza Fazeli, Piero Lulli, Lou Castel, Corrado Pani, Antonio Salines, Luis Dávila, Claudia Gravy, Ana María Noé, Ana María Mendoza, Claudie Lange, Susanna Martinková
Language: Italian with English subtitles
Where To Watch: available July 25, 2023; pre-order here www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Hold onto your cowboy hats! Arrow Video’s BLOOD MONEY: FOUR WESTERN CLASSICS VOL. 2 takes us to the gritty genre of the Spaghetti Western. The box sets a robust selection of narratives that cover survival, retribution, and avarice themes. While Westerns aren’t generally my favorite genre, I appreciated these films more than I would have thought. I think the history behind them and the beautiful transfers (looking at footage from other releases and stills online, you can see how much care Arrow put into these restorations and preservation.

Let's kickstart this ride with a story brimming with tension in $10,000 BLOOD MONEY, centered around a bounty hunter hungry for retribution. Here, the stakes are sky-high, effectively setting the tone for this Western compilation. The leading man delivers a performance that resonates with realism, drawing viewers into the heart of the narrative. The cinematography in this piece is akin to a choreographed ballet, engaging the audience with a series of unforgettable scenes. The look and feel of these films add to the raw charm of the film rather than detract from the experience.

We then shift gears to VENGEANCE IS MINE, a narrative that explores intricate family ties intertwined with themes of vengeance. This film redefines the standard spaghetti Western recipe, standing out in the anthology for its unique spin. With its compelling performances and unexpected elements defying clichés, this cinematic piece serves an engaging viewer experience.

Our cinematic journey continues with FIND A PLACE TO DIE, branching into a classic Western tale told through a different lens. This narrative is a harmonious blend of a suspense-filled script, eye-catching visuals, and non-stop action – a real feast for the senses. The gripping storyline and noteworthy acting performances contribute to its solid standing within the collection.

The collection's finale is one for the books in MATALO! (KILL HIM) tradition takes a backseat, paving the way for an unconventional Western narrative. This piece takes viewers on a mind-bending journey, marking a daring conclusion to the anthology. Combining ground-breaking cinematography techniques with a spine-chilling soundtrack offers a fresh perspective on the “contemporary” world as reflected through the Western genre.

BLOOD MONEY: FOUR WESTERN CLASSICS VOL. 2 is a welcomed presentation from Arrow Video. It expertly intertwines four films of diverse styles that all fit into the more prominent genre creating a synergistic cinematic experience. The set invites viewers into the shadowy corners of the Western world, adding a layer of thrill to the narrative.

The rich insights this box set offers into the realm of Italian Westerns are worth it alone, packed with incredible extras. This collection is a veritable treasure trove for all, from genre purists to casual viewers, showcasing various stories. BLOOD MONEY: FOUR WESTERN CLASSICS VOL 2 explores the vast expanses of Spaghetti Westerns and is a coveted gem for any film collection. With its expansive narratives and focus on the genre's fundamental elements, this anthology secures its position in the annals of cinematic history.

Bonus Materials:
4-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
– High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentations of all four films
– Brand new 2K restorations of all four films from the original 35mm camera negatives by Arrow Films
– Original Italian and English front and end titles
– Restored lossless original Italian and English soundtracks
– English subtitles for the Italian soundtracks
– English subtitles for the deaf or hard of hearing for the English soundtracks
– Brand new introductions to each film by journalist and critic Fabio Melelli
– Galleries for all four films
– Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing 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 – $10,000 BLOOD MONEY
– Brand new audio commentary by author and film historian Lee Broughton
– Tears of Django – newly edited featurette with archival interviews with director Romolo Guerrieri and actor Gianni Garko
– The Producer Who Didn’t Like Western Movies – a brand new interview with producer Mino Loy
– How the West Was Won – a brand new interview with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi
– Theatrical trailer

DISC 2 – VENGEANCE IS MINE
– Brand new audio commentary by critics Adrian J. Smith and David Flint
– Cain and Abel – newly edited featurette with archival interviews with actor Gianni Garko and screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi
– In Conversation with Nora Orlandi – newly edited archival interview with the film’s iconic composer
– Movie After Movie – a brand new interview with producer Mino Loy
– Theatrical trailer

DISC 3 – FIND A PLACE TO DIE
– Brand new audio commentary by author and critic Howard Hughes
– Sons of Leone – newly edited archival interview with director Giuliano Carnimeo
– Traditional Figure – brand new, in-depth appreciation of the soundtrack and its composer, Gianni Ferrio, by musician and disc collector Lovely Jon

DISC 4 – MATALO! (KILL HIM)
– Brand new audio commentary by critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson
– A Milanese Story – brand new, in-depth interview with filmmaker Davide Pulici, discussing the career of Matalo! director Cesare Canevari
– Untold Icon – brand new, in-depth appreciation of the soundtrack and its composer, Mario Migliardi, by musician and disc collector Lovely Jon
– Theatrical trailer

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]