The Great Silence (Il Grande Silenzio)

[Henry]

What's the film like and does anyone own the R1 DVD? I love American westerns but the only 'spaghettis' I've seen are Leone's trilogy (which I like a lot) and Corbucci's Django (which I didn't like at all). Any constructive comments will be much appreciated. :)

[Hendrik]

...well... ahh...

http://www.insane.nu/kult/grsilenc.htm

. . . :o . . .

[adamvbarker]

I own the R1, and it's a nice picture with only a couple of extras - a soundless version of the alternative ending, and an intro by Alex Cox that you shouldn't watch till after you've seen the movie as it gives so much plot away.

I think it's a staggeringly good movie - dark, pessimistic and stylish in a strange way even though it has rough edges. The snow-covered mountain passes make an interesting visual change from the usual desert landscapes of this kind of movie. Trintignant and Kinski are extremely charismatic. (It's only a shame that we don't get to hear Kinski's voice - even though it appears to have been mostly shot in English, it's dubbed throughout in typical 'spaghetti western' style. That said the guy doing Kinski's voice isn't bad. And the problem doesn't arise with Trintignant, since he plays a character called 'Silence'.)

I think it's much better than Django , but it is more like Django than it is like Leone's trilogy, so I can't promise you'll like it. I prefer Corbucci to Leone generally, so I might not be the person best placed to advise you, but it might be worth a go.

And to anyone else who like spaghetti westerns, or just likes cool movies, this is well worth getting.

Kinski, mad as a biscuit, as usual:
http://www.goldeneggproductions.com/cap009.jpg

[Henry]

Thanks guys, I've just taken the plunge and ordered a copy.

[gZa]

Just to add to what adamvbarker said...
It also has a classic Ennio Morricone score, it's really melancholy which coupled with the vast snow-scapes adds tremendously to the sombre mood.
Without doubt one of the daddies of the genre!