Boot Hill (1969)

I could only find this film in a terrible full screen version that looks like its permanently raining all the way through the film, so let's not allow that to cloud our judgment of the film. Let the comedy and meandering storyline do that instead. That was harsh, but this as far as I know is the beginning of a trend involving Italian Westerns becoming sillier, less violent and more slapstick. Boot Hill is still a sixties Western too, so there's still plenty of gunplay and violence in amongst the bar fights and cheeseball antics. Terence Hill is pursued and wounded by some undesirable types and ends up hiding out in a circus wagon. Followed by these bad guys, he's forced to retaliate with the help of trapeze artist Woody Strode. Once mended, he heads off for wherever just before Romano Puppo turns up and kills Woody's partner Joe, maybe for just being black. Woody's livid and out for blood, but he needs bait and Terence isn't too far away……there's also Bud Spencer as Hill's mate, George Eastman playing a ginger mute called Baby Doll (?), and others (waves disinterested hand). Basically a bunch of jerk businessman are stealing land off the miners and….etc. Gunfights. Bar brawls. Bud Spencer being grumpy. Trapeze stuff. Political imagery. I dunno. The usual. It was okay.

Yep. That's right... I did, indeed, give Boot Hill 8 stars. Yeah. I sure did. And, like - Hey! So what? Eh? And, yes, of course, I gave it 8 stars because, regardless of its unavoidable flaws and inconsistencies, I thought that it was pretty darn good. (Remember - I said "pretty darn good", not "excellent") When it comes to Spaghetti-Westerns of the 1960s, I'd confidently say that Boot Hill was, without question, one of the better produced ones from that particular era.In fact, being the enthusiastic Western fan that I am, I'd even go so far as to say that Boot Hill was easily comparable to any old "Clint Eastwood" Spaghetti-Western that I've ever seen. And, on top of that, I'd also say that actor Terence Hill's overall appeal (and competence) as a movie-cowboy ranked right up there with that of Eastwood's grossly over-rated screen charisma. Yep. It sure did.Besides being fast-paced, well-crafted, and action-packed, Boot Hill was also skillfully directed by Guiseppe Colizzi. And, as an added bonus, this film's editing and cinematography were both nothing short of exceptional.The way I see it, Boot Hill was far from being just another "copy-cat" Western. It sure was. This film (as any worthwhile movie-entertainment goes) contained a solid storyline that (40 years later) still stands tall, on its own merits.Boot Hill's somewhat comical story, which centers around a loner and a traveling circus group who come to the aid of an isolated western town beset upon by a ruthless criminal and his gang of assassins, features male characters with names such as Honey, Baby Doll, Cat, and Mamy.

I've wanted to see Boot Hill for a while now, but it's been difficult to find a watchable transfer. I realize now that I haven't been missing much. For the most part, the film is standard Spaghetti Western stuff. A group of claim jumpers, lead by Honey Fisher (Victor Buono), have everyone in a small mining town under their control. Eventually, though, one of the townsfolk gets tired of being robbed and asks for the help of his friend, Cat Stevens (Terence Hill). Using a traveling circus as cover, Stevens is able to get into town unnoticed for a final showdown with Fisher and his gang of thugs.Other than the use of the circus, the plot and action in Boot Hill aren't as original or as good as you'll find in some other films of this type. The final showdown is predictable and lacks any real tension. When Stevens finally meets up with Finch, the head bad guy, nothing much happens. Although most of the film is played straight, there are a few attempts at humor that feel out of place. For the most part, the acting is decent, but it's nothing to write home about. Hill, Bud Spencer, and Woody Strode are okay, but it's nothing special. The exception is Buono who is by far the standout in the film. Unfortunately, his screen time is limited and he doesn't even appear until the movie is half over.Where Boot Hill excels and what makes it unique are the directorial and editing decisions made with the film. There are a number of instances where scenes of violence are quickly spliced with scenes of the circus. Gunfight – a clown playing a trumpet – a man gets shot – a trapeze act – hiding in a barn – dancing girls. It's a nice touch.Finally, whether intentional or not, Boot Hill features several scenes that can best be described as homosexual in nature. From the miners dancing check-to-check in the opening to Bud Spencer calling the tall, blond, good looking cowboy he lives with "Baby Doll" to the unexplained relationship between Woody Strode and the young, good looking trapeze artist, there's an undeniable homoerotic feel underlying a lot of the movie.

Third and rarest pairing of Terence Hill and Bud Spencer after God Forgives... I Don't (1966) and Ace High (1967), both by director Colizzi, before the Trinity films turned them into Italy's most dubious exports of the Seventies. Hill was given these cold-eyed roles before the more familiar slaparound antics; here he plays a grimy cheroot-huffin' hombre called `Trouble', who enlists a traveling circus (led by Woody Strode and Lionel Stander) to defeat a money-grubbing land baron (Batman's King Tut, Victor Buono). Like all good Spaghetti Westerns, Boot Hill combines claustrophobic visuals and a lumpen left wing philosophy, with the added novelty of the circus backdrop. Bud's almost a supporting player, but thankfully the dumb ox still gets to throw his weight around. Recommended, muchachos.