written and performed by Janis Ian, is actually the high point of the film.
Like many, if I'm not drawn into, or "hooked," on a television show in the first 5 to 10 minutes I will either turn it off or move on to another station. My viewing habits are no different when it comes to watching a Spaghetti Western.
Given that there are sixty or so movies in total on the two "box" sets of films that I am working through, it stands to reason that there are going to be a few clunkers among them, though the term "few" might be overly optimistic. Not only are these films, to my sensibilities, nearly unwatchable, they are also (to put a spin on a classic Western motif) "Unwanted." The first of these is the slow moving (and somewhat incoherent) Four Rode Out (1970) starring Pernell Roberts (Bonanza and Trapper John, MD) and Leslie Nielsen (The Naked Gun and Airplane films) and appears to be a prime example of a "Hollywood" movie attempting to successfully duplicate the Italian-produced Western aesthetic... poorly. Interestingly, it is not included on SWDB's list of films, so may not actually be a true Spaghetti Western... it may just be "bad."
Though Four Rode Out may have improved after the first eleven minutes, I will likely never know... you are welcome, however, to check it out for yourself as this beauty is actually available for viewing on Youtube.
No comments:
Post a Comment