TAKE A HARD RIDE(1974)

[The Firecracker]

There's another Gemma box set from Japan that has ARIZONA COLT(which I bet blows away WEs version.)but sadly in italian only(if only someone would sync up the english track).

I just realized that I posted the info of "Arizona Colt" on the wrong thread

oh well...were here now.


in regards to your post above Colt...
I too was very shocked at the quality of WE's copy of AC. Its by far their worst (havent seen their "Boot Hill" or "Pistoleros").

[Banjo]

The sleeve notes were sort of apologetic saying that the best available print(or words to that effect) was used for Man From Nowhere
 

[Banjo]

Arizona Colts review:-

TAKE A HARD RIDE isn't necessarily an italian production as aside from Antonio Margheriti directing and a few crew members it's more or less a US-italian co-production. This amalgamation of the blaxploitation genre with the spaghetti-US western genres is quite entertaining if a bit sluggish at first. Although there is ample amounts of action during the first 30 minutes the movie just sits there until about 40 minutes in. It's almost a greatest hits package as every cliche is thrown into the mix as Jim Brown must escort a shipment of gold cross country and every gang and crooked lawman is after it including Lee Van Cleef who, through the course of the film, is difficult to tell whether he is a good guy or a bad guy. He looks very tired here even a bit sickly although he looked better the following year in the execrable GODS GUN. Jim Brown is the upright and just lawman, Fred Williamson(whose accent changes regularly)plays the sneaky gambler who has his own intentions for the gold and Jim Kelly plays a mute martial artist who was raised by indians. The film benefits from a very playful atmosphere and some quite exciting and well done action sequences including one helluva massive explosion at the films conclusion. The soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith is good but is more attuned to the american westerns. If you're a fan of the blaxploitation genre don't expect the usual trash talking as any wordplay is specific to the time period here. However, if you wish to check out some other films featuring Jim Brown, Williamson or Kelly together or separately the following are some worth checking out-
THREE THE HARD WAY
TOUGH GUYS
TICK...TICK...TICK
BUCKTOWN
TRUCK TURNER
SLAUGHTER
SLAUGHTERS BIG RIP-OFF

[titoli]

I subscribe to AC's review. I saw an italian dubbed print (very good quality) so I can't say about Williamson's accent. I think that the movie earns a 6\10 thanx to Brown (I like him, he's good) and Williamson (he can't play but makes me laugh each time I see him). LVC looks sick, he had health problems for sure. Unfortunately Catherine Spaak doesn't show any skin. There's a good sequence with a lot of roundabout action.

[Richard--W]

Jerry Goldsmith's score is the only merit in Take a Hard Ride. At about the mid-point the story threads are abandoned instead of paced out and resolved in favor of endless encounters that add up to nothing.Lee Van Cleef is wasted. Not just wasted. His footage isn't very well shot, as if he's not being respected  The real interest is in Brown and Williamson. Disappointing film. It's clear nobody cared about it.  I traded in the Anchor Bay DVD and bought the soundtrack CD. Then I got stuck with the film again when it came out as the unnecessary co-feature on Rio Conchos.

I much prefer Williamson's "Charley" westerns trilogy.

I wouldn't mind making a new western that would fit the score.


Richard

[cigar joe]

Jerry Goldsmith's score is the only merit in Take a Hard Ride. At about the mid-point the story threads are abandoned instead of paced out and resolved in favor of endless encounters that add up to nothing.Lee Van Cleef is wasted. Not just wasted. His footage isn't very well shot, as if he's not being respected  The real interest is in Brown and Williamson. Disappointing film. It's clear nobody cared about it.  I traded in the Anchor Bay DVD and bought the soundtrack CD. Then I got stuck with the film again when it came out as the unnecessary co-feature on Rio Conchos.

I much prefer Williamson's "Charley" westerns trilogy.

I wouldn't mind making a new western that would fit the score.


Richard

How is that release of Rio Conchos? probably my favorite Richard Boone Western followed by Hombre & The Tall T, but I've never caught up with A Thunder of Drums yet.

[Richard--W]

Rio Conchos is an excellent transfer. Lovely dye-transfer color saturation. They didn't digitize the film into linoleum. Williamson has a supporting role, not the lead. It's a sturdy western in which Boone does some of his very best work. I like the uncouth opening. He's a little crazy at the outset, and we find out why. A Thunder of Drums offers another of Boone's best roles. The script is above average, coming from a James Warner Bellah story. The transfer on the Warner Archive DVD is fine. I recommend both films specially if you're a Richard Boone fan. In comparison Take a Hard Ride is a bad joke.


Richard

[cigar joe]

Rio Conchos is an excellent transfer. Lovely dye-transfer color saturation. They didn't digitize the film into linoleum. Williamson has a supporting role, not the lead. It's a sturdy western in which Boone does some of his very best work. I like the uncouth opening. He's a little crazy at the outset, and we find out why. A Thunder of Drums offers another of Boone's best roles. The script is above average, coming from a James Warner Bellah story. The transfer on the Warner Archive DVD is fine. I recommend both films specially if you're a Richard Boone fan. In comparison Take a Hard Ride is a bad joke.


Richard

Thanks

[stanton]

Rio Conchos is an excellent transfer. Lovely dye-transfer color saturation. They didn't digitize the film into linoleum. Williamson has a supporting role, not the lead.

You mean Jim Brown in Rio Conchos

[Richard--W]

Oh hell. Yeah that's who I meant.

Richard

[moorman]

This was pretty good. Loved the musical score and the plot. Both Jim Brown and Fred Williamson were good here.  Jim kelly was used good here.  His character reminded me of the Indian in Sabata.  Kelly was able to show case his REAL fighting skills.  The inclusion of Lee Van Cleff was a bonus.  He wasn't  used much but his character was still central to the plot.  7 out of 10...