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Released by: Stingray
Released on: October 26, 2002.
Director: Carlo Lizzani
Cast: Thomas Hunter, Henry Silva, Dan Duryea, Nicoletta Machiavelli, Gianna Serra, Nando Gazzolo
Year: 1966
The Film:
At the end of the American Civil War, two friends return home with a whole lot of stolen cash. Unfortunately for them, the Yankee soldiers catch them with the loot. Ken Seagull (played by Nando Gazzolo of Django Shoots First) escapes, but Jerry Brewster (Thomas Hunter of X-312 Flight To Hell) is not so lucky and ends up in the slammer, doing hard time (and, for some strange reason, spending a lot of time standing up in a man sized bird cage!).
Brewster is released from prison five years later, only to find out that his old buddy Seagull is now a sinister landowner who has prospered off of the money that they stole while he rotted in jail and his wife died in poverty. To make matters worse, the son that Brewster left behind believes him to be dead, and Brewster blames Seagull for all of this.
Brewster sets about to get his revenge, but Seagull has a pretty decent gang of hired guns that he's going to have to get through first, lead by the despicable Garcia Mendez (played with no small amount of glee by Henry Silva of L'Insolent).
Of course, as the movie gets going, things ultimately head towards the inevitable showdown as Brewster tries to not only get revenge, but somehow manage to get his life back together again as well.
With Henry Silva in a prominent role and a score by Ennio Morricone, you would think that The Hills Run Red would have all the makings of a classic Spaghetti Western. Sadly, it comes off as only slightly above average. It's by no means a bad film though and there are a few things that make it worth seeking out despite the fact that the story is far from original and actually, at time, downright predictable.
Silva chews right through whatever scenery is in his way and gives a stand out performance here, even if he's not the most convincing Mexican we've ever seen on screen. Hunter is also decent in the lead as Brewster, delivering a moderately sympathetic turn. The scenery and locations used in the film are quite interesting and effective, lending a nice look and feel to the film that otherwise wouldn't have been present.
Morricone's score doesn't stand out as one of his best and seems almost phoned in, but considering how many classics the man has contributed, this is forgivable. It's not terrible, it's just not outstanding, much like the film itself.
Video/Audio/Extras:
The film is presented in its original widescreen aspect ratio of 2.35.1 but is not enhanced for anamorphic television sets. The only real problem with the transfer is some very noticeable shimmery edge enhancement throughout the duration. Other than that, there's only very mild print damage that pops up from time to time. Colors are nice and strong, blacks fare well and don't break up, and the print used is very clean and free or major defects.
The disc is presented in an English language dub that has reasonable clarity and is of average quality. There is a slight tinniness to the track overall, but it's never a problem hearing the actors over the sound effects of the score. Japanese subtitles are included on the disc but are removable.
In addition to scene selection, a beat up fullframe trailer (looks like the US theatrical one) is included on the DVD.
The Final Word:
While this isn't one of the best Spaghetti Westerns ever made, Silva's performance saves it from mediocrity and the final showdown that happens in the last fifteen minutes of the film make it all worthwhile.
The Hills Run Red is available in Japan as part of the Legend Of The Gunmen DVD Box Set (along with Navajo Joe and A Professional Gun) from Stingray with an MSRP of 14,400 Yen.