The Strangers Gundown
Our Price: $23.95
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $4.52 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Antonio De Teffč, Jean Louis (II), Luciano Rossi, Paolo Gozlino, Teodoro CorrąDVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 107 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-07-30
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Vci Video
DVD Reviews of The Strangers Gundown
DVD Review: 3 1/2 Stars - Django il Bastardo
Summary: 3 Stars
Disclaimer: The version of the film that I saw is included in the Gunslinger Western Collection- as such, I cannot comment on the quality of the item listed on this product page. My review is concerned with the entertainment value of the film only.
In 'The Strangers (sic) Gundown', AKA 'Django the Bastard' or 'Django the Avenger', the iconic main character is bent on revenge (again) - this time he seeks retribution against the officers who betrayed his unit during the war, and who left him for dead. One by one he seeks them out, meeting them with a homemade cross that has their name printed on it and the date of their death - that day's date. To the unfaithful officers, he is like a ghost sent back from the grave, and no amount of hired guns between them can keep Django the accountant from collecting the toll for their crimes of the past.
First of all, despite any weaknesses I noticed or disconnect I felt for the film, I still recommend it for all Italian Western fans. I think most fans of the genre are going to like this film to varying degrees, and even though I may not be enthusiastic about it, its positives outweigh its negatives. Having said that, there are a few elements here that keep it from scoring higher, and most have to do with Anthony Steffen's performance.
'The Strangers Gundown' is from 1969 - Sergio Leone's and Clint Eastwood's genre-defining efforts were already three years past, plenty long enough to have an effect on films to come after. And that is my biggest complaint about this movie - it's that Anthony Steffen as Django tries to channel the 'Man with no name' character, and I don't think he's up to it. In fact, his character didn't resonate at all with me until he had to abandon his detached, ghostly presence and move around like a real person during a few moment in the film's final third. Although that section ended quickly, I felt for those few moments that here was a character I could get behind.
There were other aspects of the film that detracted somewhat, but in reality, they are the same issues most Italian Westerns suffer from (poor dubbing and overemotive acting), and which actually lend the genre some of its quirky charm. I also thought that this incarnation of Django had some interesting visual ideas, but overall I blame director Sergio Garrone for not having the panache to fully utilize them. The idea of Django tracking down his superiors one by one and waiting for them out in the street with a rough-hewn cross bearing their name was an excellent idea, but the film failed to fully exploit the moodiness and creepiness of Django's revenge. (Think of the final moments of 'High Plains Drifter' for a similar scenario and nearly perfect execution.)
It isn't that I disliked the film - it's that I felt it had too many missed opportunities and suffered from a touch to much admiration for Eastwood's nihilistic and stoic demeanor. Three and a half stars with a definite recommend for fans, but keep your expectations in check.
The Gunslinger Western Collection version, put out by Pop Flix, is presented in 2.35:1, and my player lists the audio as 2 channel Dolby Digital and the run time at 97 minutes and change. The film stock is filled with artifacts, reel changeover marks, and occasional vertical lines, but still completely watchable. Conversely, the Vci Video edition as offered on this page claims an enhanced transfer for 16x9 televisions and the inclusions of some trailers. After comparing prices, extras, and entertainment value, I would still recommend the Pop Flix edition (which comes out to just over a dollar a movie), although Italian Western completists may find the higher price for the individually packaged DVD justified.
More The Strangers Gundown reviews:
1
1
Bestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
RINGO, THE FACE OF REVENGERelease date: 2008-11-20; DVD
Best price: $8.99
Django Shoots FirstWEA DES Moines Video; Release date: 2009-10-27; DVD
Best price: $11.99
Price in other shops:
The Great SilenceMusic Video Dist; Release date: 2004-01-27; DVD
Best price: $10.95
Price in other shops:
Mannaja - A Man Called BladeRYKODISC; Release date: 2004-04-27; DVD
Best price: $6.65
Price in other shops:
Death Rides A HorseRelease date: 2011-06-14; DVD
Best price: $13.49
Price in other shops:
DjangoRYK; Release date: 2007-07-24; DVD
Best price: $7.34
Price in other shops:
Django Meets Sartana & Dead Men Don't Make ShadowsRelease date: 2009-11-23; DVD
Best price: $16.95
Price in other shops:
Django Kill - If You Live, Shoot!WEA DES Moines Video; Release date: 2004-04-27; DVD
Best price: $6.65
Price in other shops:
W Django!Koch International; Release date: 2005-12-06; DVD
Best price: $0.96
Price in other shops:
The Best of Spaghetti Westerns. In the Tradition of "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly"Release date: 2011-03-15; DVD
Best price: $14.43
Price in other shops: