Call Of Juarez is next on the agenda, and I couldn’t be happier. Just a few months ago, I tacked the western genre, but this time I’m going through another route. While my previous western article was fun, and I got to share my favorite western movies of each decade… This article will focus on some very different westerns. The spaghetti westerns.
But you can definitely check out my previous article here. You’re welcome.
However, before I can go any further, I feel that I need to explain a few things about the sub-genre itself.
What Are Spaghetti Westerns Anyway?
First and foremost, the Spaghetti Western is a broad subgenre of Western films produced in Europe. Secondly, it emerged in the mid-1960s in the wake of Sergio Leone’s film-making style and international box-office success. Furthermore, the term (spaghetti western) was used by American critics and those in other countries because most of these Westerns were produced and directed by Italians. Get it? Spaghetti=Italian?
So, Most Spaghetti Westerns filmed between 1964 and 1978 were made on low budgets. And shot at Cinecittà studios and various locations around southern Italy and Spain. But one name is synonymous with this sub-genre of westerns. The one and only Sergio Leone. Just like Leone’s first Western (A Fistful of Dollars)… The following works in his Dollars Trilogy ( For a Few Dollars More (1965) and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)) strongly influenced the further developments of the genre. And not surprisingly Spaghetti Westerns have left their mark on popular culture, strongly influencing numerous works produced in and outside of Italy.
Hey even Clint Eastwood’s first American Western film, Hang ‘Em High (1968), incorporated elements of Spaghetti Westerns. But who can forget Quentin Tarantino? The man’s entire career was born because of the spaghetti western’s influences. He loves Sergio Leone, and you can find remnants of his work in almost every single one of Tarantino’s movies.
But What About The Game Itself? What’s Call Of Juarez All About?
Developed and published by Techland, Call Of Juarez is a first-person shooter that takes place in Texas and Mexico in 1882. Furthermore, it tells the story of Reverend Ray McCa. As he hunts down his nephew Billy, who has been wrongly accused of murdering his parents. Or in other words, it’s an epic adventure western-themed FPS game that will get you back to the wild wild west.
Apart from the highly interesting, emotional and psychological aspect of the link between the two characters, then you will experience a variety of gameplay. The game also features fast-paced revolver duels using historically accurate firearms, horseback riding, mounted combat. And of course stealth actions in memorable locations set after Western movies. Call Of Juarez is available here.
And if by any chance you already love the original game… Perhaps you’d love to give the sequels a try? We have Call Of Juarez Gunslinger (available here) and Call of Juarez Bound In Blood (here).
But What Are Some Of The Steam Comments Saying About The Game?
* Howdy partner, this was a very fun game to play! Cool story, exciting moments, good shooter. 🤠 says, Patrick Wilding.
*While Jeon So Mi says I played gunslinger years ago so I wanted to play the whole series. The Game is really good so far. Kind of scary and curious. If you love Wild west games, you definitely gonna love this.
Which Movies Go Well With Call Of Juarez?
As you can probably tell, the theme of this article is spaghetti westerns, and we have a nice selection of them here. I also decided to honor Sergio Leone’s work with two of his finest works, but for the movies made the cut… You’re gonna have to scroll down.
A Bullet For The General
A Bullet For The General is both a spaghetti western and a Zapata Western at the same time. Directed by Damiano Damiani, A Bullet For The General tells the story of El Chuncho, and Bill Tate (or El Niño/The Kid). A bandit, and a counter-revolutionary contract killer in Mexico. The movie is also set during the Mexican revolution and it has Gian Maria Volonte and Klaus Kinski in the lead roles. Not to mention that it’s today considered as one of the finest movies about the Mexican Revolution. Furthermore, it’s a tense, action-packed movie with plenty of history. It’s a must-watch if you love spaghetti westerns.
Fun fact: This is a rumor but apparently the director Damiani was frustrated with the behavior of Volante and Kinski’s behavior, that he beat them and whipped them on the set until they finally behaved.
My Name Is Nobody
Another spaghetti western, but this time from the early ’70s. Also, My Name Is Nobody is directed by Tonino Valerii but it’s based on the idea from Sergio Leone. We’ll get to him shortly. But My Name Is Nobody has two Hollywood legends in it, and it’s amazing. Terence Hill and Henry Fonda respectively. Hill is the titular role of Mr. Nobody, and he’s trying to team up with Fonda’s Jack Beauregard. Why? In order to take down a Wild Bunch gang of outlaws. Now, Beauregard is old, tired and wants to retire, but the one last opportunity is hard to miss. It’s worth the watch.
Fun fact: This is the final western movie for Henry Fonda.
The Great Silence
One of my favorite Sergio Corbucci movies ever. Not to mention it has Klaus Kinski in one of his most ruthless roles ever. Indeed. He’s Loco and he lives up to the name to the fullest. Jean-Louis Trintignant is also in the lead, and this is one of the most brutal westerns you’ll ever see. It’s also a dark, bleak and very violent movie but it deserves a chance. Not to mention there’s a strong influence from Leone’s works throughout the movie. Oh and the music score is fantastic, but then again it’s thanks to the genius of Ennio Morricone. Yes, that Ennio Morricone.
Fun fact: The movie was remade as a Japanese Samurai TV series starring Shintarô Katsu (1973).
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Yes, the last two movies on this list are the works of Sergio Leone, and I love that. I could have included so much more, but I settled on these two. Firstly let me start with The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Starring Clint Eastwood as “the Good”, Lee Van Cleef as “the Bad”, and Eli Wallach as “the Ugly”, this is one of Leone’s finest movies. Seriously it’s sooo good. And the music from Morricone is fantastic of course, but you can clearly see Leone’s trademarks all over it. His long drawn and close-up style of filming is iconic and so is the acting from the trio of actors.
Fun fact: Because writer and director Sergio Leone spoke barely any English and Eli Wallach (Tuco) spoke barely any Italian, the two communicated in French.
Once Upon A Time In The West
Another Leone masterpiece. And a masterpiece that has the input of three of Italy’s finest directors. Leone, Bernardo Bertolucci, and Dario Argento. Henry Fonda is the villain here (a bold choice for him), but Jason Robards, Claudia Cardinale and Charles Bronson are also in the cast. Here’s a fun fact for you. Back in 2018, I had the opportunity to meet Claudia Cardinale and talk to her for a bit. We talked about Sergio Leone, The Pink Panther and her career in Hollywood. She’s still lovely and full of life even in her 80’s. And yes, still beautiful. But yeah. You should really check out Once Upon A Time In The West if you haven’t already.
Fun fact: Claudia Cardinale’s first day of filming was her nude love scene with Henry Fonda. This also marked the first time Fonda had done such a scene. His wife insisted on being on-set during the filming of it.
Are You A Fan Of Call Of Juarez?
How about spaghetti westerns? Let us know which spaghetti western is your favorite. We’d love to know all about it.
