Django

Django (1966)

Franco Nero stars at the titular character Django in this killer Spaghetti Western from director Sergio Corbucci. If you are a fan of westerns then this story will seem very familiar to you. When we first see Django he runs across a group of Mexican bandits beating a woman. After the bandits are mowed down by another group of men that are basically going to do even worse to the woman Django intervenes and takes them out. With the woman in tow and dragging a coffin behind him Django walks into town. Here he meets up with Major Jackson, a former Confederate officer that has little love for Django (who it seems fought for the Union)! One gunfight later the Major leaves town with less henchmen, returns with even more, and then leaves with even less then before… It’s that kind of movie guys. Eventually Django meets up with the local Mexican bandits and there leader. Here we find out that Django has a plan to steal the Major’s gold. Long story short he is double-crossed, beat down, and finally takes out all his enemies. The moral of the story? Don’t mess with Django.

One of the coolest thing about this hobby is no matter how jaded you are or how many movies you have watched there is always something really cool that you haven’t seen yet. For me Django falls into this category. Watching it for the first time on this great Blu-Ray from Blue Underground really was the way to go. The story is very familiar, but never boring. There is a very cool energy to the movie. There is always something interesting for fun happening on screen. Either we are seeing how bad the bad guys are or Django is gunning someone down. Oh and I won’t spoil it, but when we finally see what is in the coffin the movie ramps up to an entirely new level of crazy fun. There is also a completely over the top scene involving a preacher and the leader of the bandits that was surprising and a bit twisted.

Now I’ve never been a huge Franco Nero fan and I don’t seek out his movies. This might explain why it has taken me so long to get around to watching Django. But I’ll give the guy all the credit in the world for his performance here. He is asked to carry the movie and does so. Initially is started off like he was going to do a Clint Eastwood impersonation thru the whole movie, but he gradually makes the character his own. Hell I’m a huge fan of the Eastwood Spaghetti Westerns, but I think that Nero is better in Django! Yeah I said it…

In addition to being a very exciting and fun movie Django also is a solidly made movie. The gunfights are quick and captured well on film. It isn’t as epic or insane as something like the Wild Bunch, but I still found it very satisfying. Overall the camera work and lighting are top notch. This might be a Spaghetti Western, but those behind (and to be fair in front as well) are taking it serious and doing a great job. The production values are also nice. The sets look great and I loved the look of the characters. A good job was done both in front of and behind of the camera. Can’t ask for more than that.

So I dig the movie. Now it is time to talk about the Blu-Ray from Blue Underground. Django was made in 1966, so it isn’t going to look perfect. But in spite of some grain here and there I have to say that the Blu-Ray looks pretty damn good. I mean I had never seen the movie, so obviously I can’t tell you if it is better than the DVD. But again I’m pretty happy with the transfer and how it looked in high definition. Also included on the Blu-Ray are several special features. First up is a 13 minute long featurette called Django the one and only. It includes a nice interview with Franco Nero and Ruggero Deodato, who served as the assistant director. They have some interesting stories about working with director Corbucci and in Nero’s case how he became involved in the movie. Plus I though it was kind of fun that it was directed by David Gregory, who we have had on the show before. There is also a 10 minute long short movie starring Nero called the Last Pistolero, which I got a kick out of. I recommend this for all Nero fans. But the best thing about the special features is an amazing “vintage” documentary from 1968 that blew my mind. Really you have to check it out.

I highly recommend both the movie and the Blu-Ray from Blue Underground. Check out there website here for more information about the disc. Also I figure I’ll give our podcast a cheap plug as well. We covered the Blu-Ray release of Django on episode 32 of the podcast, which is available here.

3 ½ out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer