Content: Ringo, called „Angelface“, is a cynic, who enjoys killing, but succeeds everytime to let his doings look like self-defence. Despite his cleverness he’s jailed again around X-mas, because he has killed four rogues, who wanted to waste him. But the law in the shape of upright sheriff Ben gets some problems, as evil Mexican Bandido chief Sancho comes over the border with his gang and robs the local bank. Unfortunately fat Sancho catches a bullet, so that the gang has to take a break on the fortified hacienda of Major Clyde, where the soon are sieged by the Sheriff’s men. Despite the Mexicanos kill a hostage, usually poor Peones, every morning and evening, Ben refuses to accommodate and waits for the army to attack the hacienda. Until then a brave hero shall infiltrate the bandidos to weaken them. Sadly there’s no one else than the imprisoned Ringo, who agrees against a lot of 30 percent of the booty and an acquittal in his murder charge. After he has even operated Sancho the lead out of his body, he gains the chief’s trust, until Ringo puts his cards on the table: Against a lot of 40 percent he promises to take the Mexicanos out of the mess to Mexico before the arrival of the army; ready evacuation-plan inclusive. Because the Sheriff decimates Sancho’s gang with ably pinholes, the Mexicanos once agree gnashingly.
| The Gunslinger says: Despite optically clearly based on the US-western, Tessari’s well photographed and cutted flick is clearly SW. This is basically owed to Giuliano Gemma in the title role, a classic SW character: cynical, bloodthirsty and infinite egoistic, he always tries every time to bring out the best for his purse. His short time altruistic mood, as he e.g. saves he hostages, to me seems like a director’s (producer’s?) manipulation to supply Ringo at least with a bit of humanity, sense of honour and sympathy. Anyhow, finally he takes at any rate his 30 percent. Gemma’s sidekicks do a good job too, fronted by Antonio Casas as lovesick Major, who mates moll Dolores (Nieves Navarro) completely unrestrained. Fernando Sancho and José Manuel Martín are the fitting rogues, not very intelligent, but credible awesome. Some nice, creative sadisms of the Mexicanos against their hostages additionally boost the spaghetti fun. Great Morricone-score: dominated by strings, supported by trumpets and sparse choirs
| Rating: $$$$$-
| Bodycount: ca. 20 Gringos, ca. 20 Mexicanos, 2 Women
| Explicit Brutalities: - The Bandidos are quite inventive to kill their hostages in different ways:
- Russian roulette: Indio (Neno Zamperla) aims and fires on the hostages consecutively, needless to say, that his colt is armed with just one bullet
- Victim roulette: The hostages are arranged around a round table, back to the middle. The bandidos bet on the propable next victim. Finally they let a loaded colt fall on the table. The winner is the bandido, whose bet is dead.
- Shooting with aiming through a little mirror: Sancho’s morning exercises
- Ringo gets a pounding by the Mexicanos, who suspect him playing double cross. The result merely is, that they have to pay even more for Ringo’s services
| Luv': Major Clyde courts Dolores: First it was expedience, but then it becomes love. His daughter Ruby (Lorella de Luca = “Hally Hammond”) loves sheriff Ben, but is separated from him the whole film long. 3/10
| Gore: 1/10
| Specials: Ringo drinks only milk
| Trailer: by SpoonMHD
|
| OT:
Una Pistola per Ringo
AT:
Una Pistola para Ringo (SP)
A Pistol for Ringo (UK)
Ballad of Death Valley (USA)
Year: I/SP 1965
D, S: Duccio Tessari
C: Francisco Marin
M: Ennio Morricone
with: Giuliano Gemma, Fernando Sancho, Antonio Casas, José Manuel Martin
 | By Giuliano Gemma with love
|  | An upright, clean guy: "George Martin"
|  | Nieves Navarro cleaning up inside, whereas the boys care for the street
|  | Fernando Sancho enjoying his morning toilet
|  | Picture with three ladies: Nieves Navarro, Antonio Casas as Lady of the Camellias and Lorella de Luca
|  | | Do you like or should I? Fernando Sancho and Neno Zamperla question Giuliano Gemma |
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