Continuavano a chiamarlo Trinita - Trinity Is Still My Name

Back in the saddle!

Hello fellow readers, for this week and for the rest of August I had chosen several sexplotation and porn parody films to review but, since the sad news of the recent passing of Carlo Pedersoli, AKA Bud Spencer, I postponed those reviews in exchange for another classic adventure film by the Italian golden duo of  action, Terence Hill & Bud Spencer.

Sequels are always a pain in the ass for film makers and those involved in the world of movies. If we take a minute and think about how many sequels are nearly as good as the prequel or how many sequels are superior than their predecessors, I'm sure it won't be easy to make a list. Also, I'm sure Continuavano a Chiamarlo Trinita AKA Trinity is Still My Name!  will make it to the list of superior than the original sequels list. So, in this sequel, our heroes, Bambino (Spencer) & Trinity (Hill) moved on from their past adventure with the religious missionaries  to find their way to a "better life" in order to fulfill a promise they made at their father's deathbed. 

Yeah, wash off that dirt.

Are you talking to me?

Quite honestly, after seeing the first film in this series (They Call Me Trinity), I was a little underwhelmed, perhaps sold out by my own high hopes. That pic was the breakthrough buddy-comedy-western smash that made Hill and Spencer into superstars. I enjoyed it, liked its meandering pace and whimsical attitude, but was not blown away.

Now, after having seen the follow-up, I get it. Everything that was kinda shaggy, kinda loosey-goosey about the first film has been finely groomed here and the difference is notable. The story plays out slowly but steadily, with proper amounts of both slapstick and action, not to mention some damn fine slapstick action.

What do you mean you're poor and have no money?

If we can't make it as bandits we may try the goodfella stuff.

Spencer's Bambino is introduced first, duping a group of crooks out of their freshly cooked beans in hysterical fashion. Not long after the thugs have regrouped from the incident, along comes Hill's Trinity to do the same exact thing! These two gags set the tone for things: The two protagonists are never cocky or cruel in getting their way; rather they use their charm, and occasionally, Spencer's beefy fists if necessary.

The boys head back home in time to hear their father's deathbed wish, that they work together to find their way in the world, rather than constantly bickering. Their resulting adventures lead them to aid (repeatedly) a lost farming family, pose as federal agents, and get involved in a monks-versus-gunrunners battle.

Hands up you bastards!

We're businessmen, we discuss.

The general spirit of the film is kind and genial, and for this reason it reminded me of the films of Jackie Chan's Hong Kong heyday. Much attention is paid to intricate gags (several involving food); there are numerous well-staged and complex fistfights; even a running bit with a flatulent baby that would have seemed right at home in a JC flick.

Terence Hill's Trinity is a happy-go-lucky layabout that is too lazy to even ride his own horse (he prefers to be dragged slowly behind on a makeshift cot). Trinity is handsome, charming, funny … a great character to be sure. Hill is capable of doing intense (e.g., VIVA DJANGO), so his embodiment of Trinity speaks as much to his acting chops as it does his personal charisma. As for big Bud Spencer, as Bambino he is the sour to Trinity's sweet. Perennially grumpy, the character owns an underlying air of geniality that seems at odds with his willingness to swing his fists around. You get the feeling Bambino begins each fight with a big resigned sigh, as if he'd really rather be elsewhere. The two actors had appeared together in films several times before this series, but it was the Trinity and Bambino personas that really clicked with audiences of the day.

So, are you ready to show them your trick?

Huh! too slow!

Now, heading to the sad news, Bud Spencer (born as Carlo Pedersoli in 1929 in the city of Naples, Italy) died 3 days ago. He was 86 years old and lived a plentiful life for sure. He was a national swimming champ, water polo player, a talented comedy actor, an airplane pilot, songwriter, documentary producer, and mostly one of my childhood heroes.

As his son Giuseppe Pedersoli stated, his father "died without pain in presence of his family and his last word was 'grazie'". He was survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Although we have already reviewed 15 movies featuring  Terence Hill and Bud Spencer, we still have a long way to go, as we will undercover some of the darkest films the duo worked in and a few of the most interesting Bud Spencer solo films, so stay tuned, and Mr. Spencer, wherever you are in the ether, thanks for a thousand laughs I had as kid, and for a thousand more I'll have as a grown up that will continue to show your legacy to newer generations...

1929- ∞

Here's the movie trailer:

Porgi l'altra guancia AKA Turn the Other Cheek

The gospel of fist!

Terence Hill and Bud Spencer have portrayed EVERYTHING. Crooks,pirates,cops,cowboys etc. In 1974's Porgi L'atra Guanca, AKA Turn the other Cheek,  they play Priests who sell pepper and coffee on a large boat in Europe, while preaching and healing the ill at the same time. 

Padre J (Terence Hill) and Padre Pedro (Bud Spencer) leave European waters to bring their to gospel to Maracaibo, Venezuela (although the filming location was in Colombia according to some sources but, I doubt that either because in South America there are no Asian languages spoken anywhere, and in a few scenes you see some signs written in some Asian language, which leads me to think they must have filmed in the Philippines instead)   

Sailing with God's help.

Slavery? let's get busy padre!

Set in Anno dil Segnore 1890, our Padres will not only bring the gospel and supplies to a new land, they will also fight slavery and overpowered rich white men with their strongest weapon: Their fists!

Not being granted funds to build a new church by their bishop (Jacques Herlin) Padre Pedro steals the bishop's ring and and goes to the Maracaibo local casino to play roulette and get money. Evidently, this calls the attention of Marches Alfonso Felipe Gonzaga, the governor (played by Robert Loggia) who is searching for a missing religious idol, as well as some of his slaves that disappeared in a cast away ship. Sooner than later, our religious heroes are exiled to a strict community controlled by the Governor and his men. Not happy with this, our padres decide to take matters on their own through a schemed inside job that will not only set free all the enslaved workers but also, a scheme that will reveal the true nature of the abusive governor. 

Padre Pedro, the dentist.

The gospel goes wild.

The film was produced by legendary producer Dino de Laurentis, who has won an Oscar and 22 other awards, not mentioning produced 172 films during his lifetime! Among his most famous works, he produced Barbarella, King-Kong (the 1976 version), Conan The Barbarian, Flash Gordon, Maximum Overdrive, Red Dragon & Hannibal.  

The movie title, Porgi L'atra guancia, comes from an old Christian belief that once someone has offended you, you have to give them another chance, hence the cheek (guancia) reference. In one of the film's scenes, Padre Pedro and Padre J discuss this and modify the saying by adding that if you're hit in the wrong cheek you will get fist for breakfast. 

A signature scene in Hill & Spencer's films: a feast.

Let's see if your God will stop this bullet.

Overall, Turn the Other Cheek, may not be among their finest works, but the beautiful late 1800's scenery, landscapes and chemistry in the leading duo makes this film worth a try even for those who are not hardcore Hill & Spencer fans. Just don't expect to find religious teachings worth trying in real life here. Unless, of course, you don't give a fuck about religions (as I do) and prefer the action speaks louder than words motto.

Here's the movie trailer:

 

Piu Forte Ragazzi AKA All the Way Boys!

Piu forte ragazzi!

Although Bud Spencer & Terence Hill are not a part of the 1001 Movies You Must Watch Before You Die book, there are more than 1001 reasons to watch at least a few of their wonderful movies. The Italian couple worked together in 18 movies and tried going solo for a few films, as well as building a career in local Italian television but nothing will ever outdo the times they worked together. 

Today, Carlos Pedersoli (Bud Spencer's real name) is an 86 year old veteran actor, while Mario Girotti (Terence Hill) is a 77 year old veteran actor too. Piu Forte Ragazzi, AKA All The Way Boys! is a 1972 film directed by Giuseppe Colizzi  and starred by our two favorite Italian heroes of all time. What makes this movie interesting, is that this marks the very first time where Spencer & Hill are not making a Spaghetti Western  movie.

Insurance money? piece of cake!

Well I'll be damned!

Piu Forte Ragazzi follows the steps of air cargo pilots Plata (Hill) & Salud (Spencer) Their latest mission takes them to the amazons to stage a plane accident in order to cash in an insurance policy. Unfortunately, their plane actually malfunctions forcing them to crash land in an unknown wild forest. Soon enough, they find out there is a small mining colony that barely makes it to the end of the day by getting the precious stones to a certain Mr. Ears (played by Reinhard Kolldehoff) The thing is, this Mr. Ears runs the show, and it's a one man's show only. Not only he underpays his workers, he also gets the little money they make by bringing them supplies they can't find anywhere else. 

In order to make a living, Plata & Salud find an old plane, fix it, and start running their own supply business, which of course, will lead them into direct trouble with Mr. Ears & his lowlife gang.

Soon enough, the locals start getting supplies from the new vendors and things begin going south pretty quickly. 

 

We may be friends.

But we have our differences.

When watching a Terence Hill & Bud Spencer movie, you're not looking for a masterpiece in story telling, you're looking for action, adventure & lots of laughs. Interestingly enough, their films always come with very educational lessons on how to survive rough times, work together despite differences, help the helpless and in the end, fix what's wrong. Of course, that won't happen until the very end of the movie, where our heroes have convinced wrong doers through a fostering lesson of my fist, your face. 

Piu Forte Ragazzi, as mentioned above, is the first time the duo is out of their comfort zone. They're no longer into the spaghetti western genre but straight into the action/adventure genre with a contemporary setting. While this may not be the ideal film to watch if it's your first time into the couple's work, the movie proves these actors could outdo themselves by surviving a decaying genre that ended up becoming a parody of itself. 

Let me explain...

Plata knows his game.

After appearing in this film, Spencer became a real life jet airplane and helicopter pilot. He established Mistral Air in 1984, an air-mail company that also transports pilgrims, but alter sold it to Poste Italiane to buy a textile mill that produced clothes for children. Yes, Bud Spencer is also a real life hero. 

Piu Forte Ragazzi is probably one of the best Spencer / Hill movies ever made. The soundtrack, atmosphere, jokes, and the fact that the movie is not too childish makes it a "must see" for any fan of Bud Spencer and Terence Hill. Unfortunately, there is one problem: all over there world there does not exist an uncut version. You can rather point out 2 different cuts. The German version misses out on several plot points as well as brawling; additionally it offers alternative footage every now and then. On the other hand there's the Italian/international version which was also released in the USA and Denmark. If you can, stay away from this version. While the German version already misses out on roughly 7 and half minutes of footage (30 cuts), the Italian/international version includes 105 cuts with an overall runtime of 18 minutes of missing footage! A detailed comparison between both versions, split in two parts, with pictures can be found here (scenes missing in the German Version) and here (scenes missing in the International Version).  

Here's the movie trailer:

 

Lo chiamavano Trinità: They Call Me Trinity

Lazy but quick with a gun.

Comic book films are the exploitation genre of our times. As we speak, you can still go to the nearest movie theater to watch superhero films, and later this year we'll be introduced to more superhero films. Let's be honest, nobody gives a straight fuck if these films do well by concerned fans standards. All these films do well, when they fill your supermarket aisles with toys and other crap, and like the aliens from They Live we buy everything just because. Our blog has fallen victim to the superhero hype as well but, as you can notice from our previous post Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning, we're back on track and better than ever. 

To celebrate our escape from mass media and mass consumption flicks, we give you a true classic: Lo Chiamavamo Trinita AKA They Call Me Trinity, the definitive Italian film that brought Terence Hill & Bud Spencer to international stardom, hence enabling them to film a lot of action packed comedies that to this very day remain as master pieces no other fucks have outdone. 

Two brothers against...

...Mexican crooks.

Terence Hill had been acting in movies for almost twenty years before he took the lead in "Unholy Four" director Enzo Barboni's "They Call Me Trinity" (1971) with his favorite co-star Bud Spencer. Initially, Hill made his cinematic debut in 1951 as a child actor in director Dino Risi's "Vacation with a Gangster" under his real name Mario Girotti. Later, Girotti would appear in co-directors Gillo Pontecorvo & Maleno Malenotti's "The Wild Blue Road" (1957), and director Luchino Visconti's "The Leopard" (1963). When Franco Nero became popular, Nero's popularity was so vast that he couldn't appear in every Italian film so the Roman film industry found suitable substitutes, among them Maurizio Merli and Terence Hill. Hill starred in several Spaghetti westerns, including a Nero-esquire oater, director Ferdinando Baldi's "Viva Django!" (1968) as well as in the Giuseppe Colizzi trilogy, "God Forgives, But I Don't" (1967), "Ace High" (1968), and "Boot Hill" (1969), where he met Bud Spencer.

Although it did not qualify as the first Spaghetti western parody, "They Call Me Trinity" cemented Hill's claim to fame and he became famous in his own right. Italian film comics Franco Franchi and Ciccio Ingrassia had starred in parody picture "Two R-R-Ringos from Texas" as early as 1967. Meantime, this landmark, low-brow western slapstick shoot'em up roughly imitates the same trail as George Stevens' "Shane" with Alan Ladd and John Sturges' "The Magnificent Seven." Not only did "They Call Me Trinity" turn Terence Hill into an international superstar, but also Bud Spencer and he wound up co-starring in 18 films. They met on Colizzi's "God Forgives, But I Don't" when Hill replaced actor Pietro Martellanza after the latter broke his leg and found himself acting with Spencer. Ironically, cinematographer-turned-director Enzo Barboni is reported to have persuaded Sergio Leone to watch "Yojimbo" because it would make a great western. Barboni lensed his share of Spaghetti westerns, including "The 5-Man Army," "The Hellbenders," "A Long Ride from Hell," and "Viva Django!"

a religious family endangered by violent cowboys.

Innocent girls willing to share a man.

Although it is not the first Spaghetti spoof, "They Call Me Trinity" ranks as one of the top five Italian western comedies, bracketed by its side-splitting sequel "Trinity Is Still My Name" and director Tonino Valerii's "My Name Is Nobody." Unfortunately, Barboni never delivered a third "Trinity," but he did make an inferior spin-off western "Trinity & Bambino: The Legend Lives On." Incidentally, do not be fooled into believing that director Mario Camus' "Trinity Sees Red" is a "Trinity" sequel because it is not. Furthermore, Terence Hill does not play Trinity. Presumably, the distributors were banking on Hill's identity as Trinity to see the film. Terence Hill displayed a knack of comedy so that he could move from a dramatic role to a comedic one. Trinity's first appearance makes it clear he is not a hero in the western tradition of John Wayne riding tall in the saddle. Instead, Trinity sprawls out comfortably on a travois, dragged by his faithful horse that attracts his attention when have reach a stopping point like the Chaparral Stage Coach Station.

Covered from head to toe in dust, Trinity (Terence Hill) fetches his horse some hay and enters the station. The owner gives him a plate of beans. Two bounty hunters with a Mexican in their custody watch in fascination as Trinity polishes off his beans. As he leaves, Trinity takes the poor Mexican with him to the surprise of the bounty hunters. As he strolls out the door with his back to the bounty hunters, they try to bushwhack him. Trinity casually plugs both of them without a backward glance. He just keeps on traipsing along with the little Hispanic to his horse. This scene depicts Trinity's incredible marksmanship. Later, we discover that he can slap a man faster than the other man can draw his own six-gun. The long funny scene when Trinity appropriates the huge pan of beans and wolfs them down with a slab of bread is an amusing gastronomic gag. Thereafter, eating beans became a trademark for both Trinity and Hill. Altogether, Hill is just plain, downright affable as the protagonist who you cannot help but like because he radiates some much charisma. 

Get off your lazy ass Trinity!

My gun doesn't like snitch bitches, you know.

In the next scene, Trinity rides into town where his half-brother Bambino (Bud Spencer) is masquerading as the town sheriff. Bambino is known as 'the left hand of the devil' and he guns down three tough-talking gunslingers when they challenge his authority. As it turns out, Bambino escaped from prison, shot a man following him, learned the wounded man was a sheriff and then took his job. Bambino is waiting for his fellow horse rustling thieves, Weasel (Ezio Marano of "Beast with a Gun") and Timmy (Luciano Rossi of "Deaf Smith & Johnny Ears") to arrive so they can head for California. Major Harriman (a mustached Farley Granger of "The Man Called Noon" doing faux Southern accent) is trying to run a community of Mormons out of a scenic valley where he would rather see his horses grazing. "Either you leave this valley, old man, or I'll bury you in it," Harriman assures Brother Tobias (Dan Sturkie of "Man of the East"), the leader of the Mormons. Eventually, Harriman teams up with an evil Mexican bandit, Mezcal (Remo Capitani of "The Grand Duel"), and his army of horse thieves. Of course, Trinity and Bambino thwart the Major and the Mexicans and save the Mormons from sure suicide.

The slapping scene in the saloon between Trinity and the Major's hired gunmen is hilarious. Bambino and Trinity get along for the most part, but Bambino has little respect for his half-brother's apparent lack of ambition. Nevertheless, the comedy emerges from their clash of personalities. "They Call Me Trinity" relies on broad humor, some shooting, and a lot of fist-fighting, but this western is neither violent nor bloody. The opening theme song provides a thumbnail sketch of Trinity and it hearkens back to similar theme songs in American westerns made in the 1950s.  

Say Trinity, we'd like to see your gun.

Besides acting, Gisela Hahn pursued a modeling career.

What's always been good about watching a Terence Hill/Bud Spencer film is that all the action and comedy are family rated! I fondly remember growing up watching these movies with my dad many, many years ago, and although these films were made during the 70's exploitation craze, there were very few scenes that mildly showed the actresses' sexiness. The strenght on all these movies was the comedy Hill & Spencer developed being naturals at it. 

Soon after the Spaghetti Western fever was over, the couple continued to work on more up to date flicks set in the 70's & 80's but holding the same charisma the couple built in their earliest collaborations. They Call Me Trinity, clearly mocks all the spaghetti heroes of the time, just like Deadpool did with the superhero genre.  

Overall, They Call Me Trinity, is a masterpiece that will be enjoyed not only by Spaghetti Western fans but, also for comedy lovers of all ages and obviously, Terence Hill & Bud Spencer people who grew up watching their movies like I proudly did. If you're one of the few who haven't watched this classic, please, do whatever it takes to find a copy available, you won't regret it! Now, If you've never ever watched a Terence Hill & Bud Spencer, dude! you got serious issues! fix that as soon as possible!

Here's the movie trailer:

And here's another legendary thing about Spaghetti Westerns, the music!!!

I poliziotti dell'ottava strada: Miami Super Cops

One more time.

Terence Hill and Bud Spencer are perhaps the number one action comedy Italian duo of all times. Following a prolific career that started with Spaghetti Western films (soon to be reviewed here) they moved on into action packed films set in the 70's and 80's. All of their films had a feeling of being slightly inspired by mayor blockbusters but with them as the main stars, every film had a unique flavor that tastes sweet and light up until today. I poliziotti dell'ottava strada (The cops from 8th Street) AKA, Miami Supercops, marks the last time the couple worked together in the 80's. Some people have called this film as the last entry in a non official trilogy known as the "Miami Cops Trilogy" where 1977's Crime Buster would be the first entry, 1980's Superfuzz Terence hill solo film would be the sequel and today's entry would mark the closing chapter. However, none of the three films share characters or stories whatsoever.

Once again Hill & Spencer are the stars of the show. In the late 70's they used to be FBI agents working together solving one case after another until 1978, where $20 millions were stolen from a Detroit bank. One of the robbers was caught, one was found dead, and the third one disappeared. The money was never found. Seven years later, the robber who was caught was released from jail. Now FBI agents Doug Bennet (Terence Hill) and Steve Forest (Bud Spencer) have been called in to investigate the case while posing as Miami police officers. Unfortunately, Forest is long retired and he spends his days on his flight school. However, cunning Bennet has him convinced quickly to return to his former job.

Wanna kick some ass again?

As cops no one will notice us.

Joe Garret (Richard Liberty) wastes no time after being released and he flies to Miami, apparently to meet up with a former partner in crime who would give him his share of the $20 Million dollar steak. Nevertheless, a mysterious attack sends Garret six feet under in no time. 

Having nowhere to start our heroes, meet Charro (William "Bo" Jim) a former inmate and partner in crime with Garret who's gone clean ever since. With little information they start completing the puzzle of Garret's death and eventually find the other criminals who may still have the $20 million. 

For connoisseurs of Terence Hill & Bud Spencer, this film marks the last time they worked together in the 80's. Miami Supercops, has been negatively criticized and referred to as "the reason they parted ways". Critics from all sides stated that this film was cursed from the beginning because it did not offer anything new in Hill & Spencer's career. The jokes, the action sequences, the plot, and the characters have all been seen before and finally the joke was on them becoming a cliche. 

Do we still have some time for a quickie threesome?

Sorry, we're straights.

What does the professionally trained S.P.A.M. Alternative team think about this film? Truth be told, most of the people who have bashed this movie probably didn't even watch it. Hill & Spencer although older, are still at their prime and deliver kick ass action as always. The rest of the cast delivers a fairly good acting (unlike critics claiming they act like TV ad people or Z movies) The presence of Irene (Jackie Castellano) & Anabella (Rhonda S. Lundstead) as the female sidekicks of our heroes add a refreshing touch to their long time duo career. In addition, the bad guy Ralph Duran (Ken Ceresne) delivers an excellent portrait of a rich guy with corrupt powerful friends. 

The score/soundtrack has also been criticized as "too 80's" what the fuck man? the film was made in the 80's! what did you expect? Some people have even compared the music to playing Arcade games with annoying music, c'mon dudes! everyone who was lucky to be alive in the late 70's and early 80's Arcade frenzy knows there wasn't a single game with annoying music! they were all cool because they were simple and yet extremely fun to play!

Anyways, the music is coherent with the 80's and adds a dose of energy for each scene whether quite paced or fast paced.

You didn't pay! we saw you!

Let's call it quits pal.

Now, does Miami Supercops qualify as one of their top 10 movies? For sure! the flick gives us all the elements of a film a la Hill & Spencer. The laughter, the jokes, the action, the fights, the be a good person lesson, the magnificent Miami scenery seen in most of their movies. In a nutshell everything that makes this a classic entry in their filmography is right there. Perhaps critics were expecting something different, something new or even something innovative that wasn't on their career. However, this legendary Italian duo knows what works best for them and no one can do it any better. 

Overall, the final entry in their extended list of action movies filmed in Miami during the 70's & 80's. Despite being their last collaboration in the decade they did return for more in 1994 for Trouble Makers. Hill & Spencer pursued a solo career in the 80's with some hit and miss movies BUT their magic worked best when they were together. Every fan of the duo knows their movies are meant for pure entertainment not for deep shit like some other film makers like to do. If it's entertainment you're looking for, this movie will not only deliver, but also will take you back to the wonderful 80's where police serials and police movies were the next big thing. Just don't call them a rip-off  because fuck you, that's why! long live Terence Hill & Bud Spencer (who are still acting in Italy by the way)

Here's the movie trailer:

...altrimenti ci arrabbiamo!

My favorite film poster.

Hello fellow readers from across the globe, before we continue with the in depth investigation on the Pubic Wars greatest films We'll take a healthy break with a personal favorite from our personal favorite comedy couple of all times. You know, sometimes people tend to think this blog is about porn and sex only and that isn't fair, we review movies of all sorts! so let's enjoy this Italian masterpiece for today!

...altrimenti ci arrabbiamo! (AKA, Watch Out, We're Mad, Juntos Son Dinamita, Y si no, Nos Enfadamos) is a 1974 Italian action comedy starring the golden Italian comedy duo of Terence Hill and Bud Spencer and directed by Marcello Fondato. The film was a collaboration between Italy and Spain as you can easily spot the city of Madrid and plenty of billboards written in the Spanish language. Some portions of the film were shot in Rome (mostly interior scenes) Also, this movie along with  i 2 Super Piedi Quasi Piatti is considered Hill & Spencer at their best, according to genre connoisseurs worldwide.  

Get the girl.

Motorized joust.

In this Spaniard-Italian production the golden couple teams up once again as the daredevil and friendly duo Kid and Ben who, by chance,  have to go against some lowlife Godfather wannabe gang. These two charming gentlemen (Hill and Spencer) are nothing but rivals  at the beginning of the story. They participate in a rally race whose prize is a fancy mini car everyone wants. They tie in a car crash race to win a red dune buggy . Later, as they're both winners, they set up an all you can eat hotdog contest to decide who's going to be the rightful owner of the buggy. During such contest , various hoodlums of a local mobster named the Boss (John Sharp) trash the place, and eventually their recently won buggy . After that , the duo decides to pay a little visit to the assholes who wasted their car . Kid and Ben want vendetta and the replacement of their red buggy just the way it was (with a yellow top, they remark) . Meanwhile , Terence Hill falls in love with a circus artist (Patty Shepard) and they are chased by a cold killer (Manuel De Blas) hired by the mobs . Of course, along the way they will combat thieves ,thugs and criminals of all sorts...

Meet Kid and Ben.

Dune Buggy.

The 'big time' duo of Spaghetti Western with signature classics such as ¨They call me Trinity¨, ¨ Trinity is still my name ¨ and sequels as ¨Troublemakers¨ changed the worn out spaghetti western arena  for the  modern era setting , playing the police/action genre and adventures such as ¨All the way boys¨ and today's entry as well . After that , they starred the successful trilogy known as the ¨ Miami police series ¨, which comprised the following films: ¨Crime Busters¨ , ¨Superfuzz¨ and ¨supercops in Miami¨. 

Watch Out! We're Mad! contains what by today's standards would be called silly comedy , the usual slight fights and lots of action including some motorcycle pursuits with an improvised but,  equally entertaining, medieval knights joust tournament , entertaining struggles in a gymnasium and a fun ball in a saloon . Although, some may say there are a few flaws , like the overuse of fight sequences and a poorly developed romance story plus a lack of background info on why the mob is there, it is still a very enjoyable experience which takes a bullet proof formula that grants 97 minutes of pure entertainment.

Hitting bad guys is my specialty.

That's no musician, that's a killer!

The humor is based (as a connoissuer might guess) on the lead couple differences, as Terence Hill is the friendly and brave hero while Bud Spencer is the tough and brute man. In addition, the rest of the cast deliver enjoyable performances including Donald Pleasence , a veteran actor with a long and prestigious career ; furthermore , being a Spanish-Italian production several Spanish actors join the cast. Names such as Luis Barbero as the old garage owner , Emilia Laguna as the musical conductor and Manuel De Blas as the silent murderer add up  to the final result. The cinematography of the film delivers what we call, a timeless master piece rendition. The music score was composed and directed by Guido and Maurizio De Angelis AKA -Oliver Onions- , including catching songs adding up perfectly to the flick's  environment, although it turns repetitive at times, is still very melodic and quite enjoyable.

Overall, a pleasurable experience advisable for connoisseurs, for the ones who want to chill out while watching it and for anyone interested in diggin these Italian treasures that hopefully, will never be forgotten and erased from our memories.

Here's the made for TV trailer (crappy looking but hey! it's vintage!):

and here you have the entire English dubbed flick for your viewing pleasure thanks to the tube:

Chi Trova un Amico, Trova un Tesoro

A friend is a treasure!

As usual for Hill and Spencer movies, they are two self centered and greedy characters, who basically care only for themselves, but still manage to do the right thing when the time comes,  you know after all, their films can be recommended for youngsters to find family values shaped under very entertaining adventures. Hill & Spencer don't waste time teaching values the old school way, they rely on their fists to fight all sorts of sinful temptations to become a couple that saves the day doing the right thing.

Hill and Spencer could easily be the modern day equivalent of everymen. The only thing that has them motivated (in any of their movies) is greed for money, because they don't have it and are prepared to do many things to get it (although they would never really cross the border of the law).

In this case there's an old uncle with a treasure map and his nephew (Hill), who doesn't really believe him, but once he gambled away all of the mafia's money, the treasure seems to be the only way out for him. So he hides away on a sailboat as a last possible way to get away from the pursuers. The captain (Spencer) is only doing this trip with the sailboat to get the money from the sponsor Puffin (making a product he hates himself). And after they loose the boat (as usual Hill dragged Spencer in the middle of it all) they have nothing left but the treasure to search for.

Outta ma' boat landluber!

As with other similar movies like "Go For It", "Crime Busters", "Double Trouble" or "Odds and Evens" Spencer is a grouchy leave-me-alone character and Hill the happy-go-lucky character. The first half an hour is a way to bring these two everymen in a situation where the slapstick comedy occurs. Although always shallow, the plot is plausible enough to let you settle in it and the opening part of the movie, when they are just getting to the point, is as always the funniest, for it doesn't rely on slaps and punches.

After the landing on the island with the treasure the slapstick comedy gets on the way. So expect punches, kicks, slaps and many hurt bad guys. And as usual there is the reward to be had, so they find the treasure - still they can't get rich off it. It's never that easy, so just like the real modern everyman they are left more or less empty handed in the end.

All in all a very amusing and simple movie, that would fall in the category of upbeat movies that will brighten your day, even though when you really think about it, you'll see it has a lot more to offer than it first seems. 

From up here I can see the nude natives taking sunbaths.

I humbly ask you to go on a diet mama.

The Unofficial Terence Hill & Bud Spencer Trivia

1. "Who finds a friend, finds a treasure" is the fourteenth movie collaboration of Italian comedy duo Terence Hilland Bud Spencer.
 The name of the island was "Pongo Pongo". It was also know as "Chow Key". Both were fictional names. One of the track's on the film's soundtrack is called "Corbucci's Island", the name of the movie's director being Sergio Corbucci.
 
2. It is mentioned during the movie that it is thirty-six years after the Second World War. As such, this sets the movie taking place around 1981 which is the year the film was first released. The World War II Japanese tank seen was not a real life WWII Jap tank nor replica nor was it based on either. The tank was especially built for the film and was designed as some kind of generic tank but without any actual specific historical design.   

3. Terence Hill says the line "He who finds a friend finds a treasure" in the earlier Terence Hill-Bud Spencer movie "Miami Supercops".  Ironically, a line spoken at the end of this film by Terence Hill was not "Who finds a friend finds a treasure" but "Who loses a treasure finds a friend". 

That's a whole lot of outdated benjamins you got there sr.

So here's where you've been fapping all these years my jap friend.

4. The amount of treasure money there was on the island amounted to $3,470,923.
 
5. The name of Charlie O'Brien (Bud Spencer)'s boat was "Puffin" whilst the name of the bikie-pirate gang's catamaran was "Trick".
 
6. The birth names of Terence Hill and Bud Spencer are Mario Girotti and Carlo Pedersoli respectively.
 
7. The movie's joke closing statement read: "The director and the entire production sincerely thank the people and authorities of "The Island" for their courteous and generous collaboration during the shooting of this film, and they solemnly promise never to return nor to reveal to anyone the location of this last unspoiled paradise". "The Island" the movie was actually shot at was Key Biscayne in Florida, USA.
 
8. The picture had three English language titles. They are: "A Friend Is a Treasure", "Keep your hands off the island" and "Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure" which is the more accurate translation from the original italian title.

Overall, Who Finds  a Friend, Finds a Treasure  is a very entertaining sunday afternoon type of film. What it lacks in originality is highly compensated by the gags & action scenes. Perhaps it is a film that not every regular enthusiast would enjoy as much as a Hill/Spencer connoisseur would but,  who isn't a Spencer/Hill connoisseur anyways?

Next entries will be about a couple of very interesting Bud Spencer's solo flicks.

PS: the recently introduced Trivia section was inspired by the suggestion of Ruta Flashback, a good blogger friend. Thanks for all the comments you make!

Here's the cool movie trailer:

Alright, you deserve it! here is the entire film courtesy of YouTube: