Death Rides a Horse aka Da uomo a uomo (1967)

[cigar joe]

Got this DVD the other day from Amazon, (to get an order total above $25 for free shipping, lol) the DVD copy is as bad as the VHS copy I made years ago off TV. I heard that the quality was poor but I'm just trying to build a DVD SW collection. It was only $8, so no big loss, but be advised.

It would be nice to have a mint copy of this title on DVD. Its not a bad second tier SW. I still always thought that "The Big Gundown" was above quality than DRaH. So if you like DRaH you'll love TBG if you ever get to see it.

Also TBG has a superior Morricone score than DRaH.

[mortimer]

Both these films are begging for a decent widescreen dvd release. The big gundown is on all month on the western channel but its full screen. Hopefully blue underground can get the rights to these 2 and give them the release they deserve.

[leonefan]

I just happened to watch DRAH friday night, it was a rental from NetFlix.  Yes, the transfer is horrible and that's putting it lightly.  The sound is just as bad.  I hope they release a decent widescreen version because it is a great film.  

[leonefan]

I was browsing dvdplanet.com and found out that there is another release of DRAH from United American.  The one I saw is by Direct Source.  Anyone seen the UA version is the quality any better?  Here's the links:

http://www.dvdplanet.com/product_listing.asp?productid=23711&format=DVD

[mortimer]

Its not widescreen so I doubt its any different

[dave jenkins]

Having just seen DRAH for the first time (on the new Japanese DVD that has a good widescreen transfer), I'd like to nominate it for the best non-Leone SW (I consider My Name Is Nobody a Leone film).

I believe that we can dispense with the other claimants: The Big Gundown and Companeros, which both have their good points, to be sure, but which also have Tomas Milian. As I detest, loath, and despise Tomas Milian (or perhaps I should say his screen persona), I consider his presence in these otherwise estimable films a serious liability. Nonetheless, granting that others may not share my feelings, let us now turn to more positive arguments, namely, all the good things in DRAH.

I list them as follows, in descending order of importance:

Lee Van Cleef
Mario Brega
Groggy (I can never remember this actor's name)
Cool revenge plot
Bank heist
firearms demonstrations
outlaw gang that likes to laugh evilly often
clever ways of killing members of said outlaw gang
solid ending with a satisfying twist (including the reappearance of a gang member we'd forgotton about)

In other words, this film is more like FAFDM than any other film we are ever likely to see. If you can't have Leone, the next best thing is a really good imitation. Ergo, DRAH is the best non-Leone SW.

Arguments to the contrary?

[cigar joe]

Don't really like the Morricone score as much as TBG, and I kind of have accepted Tomas Milian as a bonafide SW star. And LVC is closer to his Col. Mortimer character.


But DRAH is a good SW revenge flick.

[grandpa_chum]

8$!... you got ripped off... not sure what exactly you got but i got a dual sided death rides a horse/above the law lee van cleef double feature for 3.50

[Nobody]

Van Cleef double for 3.50? You got ripped off...I got DRAH together with nine other westerns/SW for 10$.

[cigar joe]

lol.

[General Sibley]

Van Cleef double for 3.50? You got ripped off...I got DRAH together with nine other westerns/SW for 10$.

Hah!  I can top that.  I saw DRAH, TBG, and TGS on the Western channel for free - AND I STILL GOT RIPPED OFF!  I want my 5 hours back  

[dave jenkins]

Don't really like the Morricone score as much as TBG

I grant that the score for DRAH is its weakest element.

[grandpa_chum]

haha... 9 for 10 bucks... not bad.

[visitor]

I grant that the score for DRAH is its weakest element.

the score to DA UOMO A UOMO(akaDEATH RIDES A HORSE) is one of Ennio Morricone's most outstanding pieces. It elevates an otherwise standard  revenge Italo western to operatic proportions.
The full score is one of the most sought after of the Morricone canon, eclipsed only by PER QUALCHE DOLLARO...
He did re-use themes from Fitful and FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE in the score..


it needs to be seen WIDESCREEN for full effect as a film

[dave jenkins]

the score to DA UOMO A UOMO(akaDEATH RIDES A HORSE) is one of Ennio Morricone's most outstanding pieces. It elevates an otherwise standard  revenge Italo western to operatic proportions.
The full score is one of the most sought after of the Morricone canon, eclipsed only by PER QUALCHE DOLLARO...
He did re-use themes from Fitful and FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE in the score..


it needs to be seen WIDESCREEN for full effect as a film

Huh, I thought I might be missing something, so I did buy the soundtrack album last week and had a listen. I must say it seemed rather pedestrian. Not as interesting as any of the Leone soundtracks, not even as interesting as those for Companeros or Face To Face. Hmmm. Well, I'll give it another try......

You're undoubtedly right about the widescreen version of the film. Those seeking to pass judgment on DRAH without having seen it in its proper form don't know what they're talking about.

BTW, how does the Italian title translate? A Horse Rides a Horse? Who can help me out here?