RELEASED IN 1969 and directed by Giorgio Capitani (aka Holloway), "The Ruthless Four" is an Italian-German Western about an old prospector (Van Heflin) who discovers gold in the Nevada desert and only trusts his quasi-stepson (George Hilton) to apprehend it. Unfortunately for them, the latter is indebted to a shady man (Klaus Kinski) while the former is forced to enlist a bitter ex-comrade (Gilbert Roland).
My title blurb pretty much says it all. The acting is good and Sarah Ross is a highlight in a too-small role as a saloon babe, plus there are a couple of good elongated gunfights (in the middle and at the end). But the story is too one-note to be compelling, not to mention it's predictable. The average Jimmy Stewart Western of the 50s, like "Bend of the River" and "The Far Country," has more happening in 25 minutes than this film does in its entire runtime. Still, the music's good and there's some worthy Western cinematography.
The movie runs 106 minutes and was shot in Almeria, Andalusia, Spain. WRITERS: Fernando Di Leo & Augusto Caminito.
GRADE: C
My title blurb pretty much says it all. The acting is good and Sarah Ross is a highlight in a too-small role as a saloon babe, plus there are a couple of good elongated gunfights (in the middle and at the end). But the story is too one-note to be compelling, not to mention it's predictable. The average Jimmy Stewart Western of the 50s, like "Bend of the River" and "The Far Country," has more happening in 25 minutes than this film does in its entire runtime. Still, the music's good and there's some worthy Western cinematography.
The movie runs 106 minutes and was shot in Almeria, Andalusia, Spain. WRITERS: Fernando Di Leo & Augusto Caminito.
GRADE: C