Spaghetti Western Bible Vol. 2

Spaghetti Western Bible Vol. 2:

Sartana: The Complete Saga

VideoAsia is back with their second collection of spaghetti westerns in the Spaghetti Western Bible Vol. 2, and this time around sees a marked improvement in quality and titles.  This ten film set is devoted to the character of Sartana, who was originally portrayed by Gianni Garko in 1968's If You Meet Sartana, Pray For Your Death directed by Gianfranco Parolini.  The character, liked Django, turned out to be very popular and spawned many sequels starring many actors in the title role.  Sartana is "one of the coolest and best known characters from the genre, he's often thought of as the 'James Bond of the West' for his stylish dress and use of gadgets and weapons."  Unlike the full title of this set claims, all 18 Sartana films are not included in this 10 film set.  Let's take a look at which titles are:

Disc 1 - Side 1 - Film 1

Have A Good Funeral My Friend, Sartana Will Pay (1971)

Starring: Gianni Garko
Directed by: Giuliano Carnimeo
Music by: Bruno Nicolai
Original Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Original Runtime: 96 minutes
DVD Runtime: 92 minutes

The set begins strongly with a nice widescreen print of this later entry into the Sartana series.  Sartana is the "Angel of Death" and his goal is to kill; not for revenge, but because these low-lifes deserve it.  The film sees Sartana unleash is wrath and James Bond inspired bag of tricks on the town's evil banker and his niece.

Disc 1 - Side 1 - Film 2

I Am Sartana, Your Angel of Death (1969)

Starring: Gianni Garko, Frank Wolff, Klaus Kinski, Gordon Mitchell

Directed by: Giuliano Carnimeo

Music by: Vasco & Mancuso

Original Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Original Runtime: 102 minutes
DVD Runtime: 93 minutes

This is the second film in the Sartana series and is presented in another nice print in the original aspect ratio.  Two for two, I wonder if VideoAsia can keep this up.  Someone posing as Sartana robs the Northwestern Bank, the safest bank in the west. A huge bounty is placed on Sartana's head and in come the bounty killers, including Klaus Kinski, to try and claim the reward.

Disc 1 - Side 2 - Film 1
Blood At Sundown (1969)
Starring: Anthony Steffen, Gianni Garko
Directed by: Albert Cardone
Music by: Michele Lacerenza
Original Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Original Runtime: 102 minutes
DVD Runtime: 100 minutes

Although not the correct aspect ratio and sourced from VHS, the quality of this one is much better than most titles on the previous release. Blood At Sundown was actually released in 1967 with the title of One Thousand Dollars on the Black where Gianni Garko just happens to play a villain named Sartana.  With the success of his other Sartana films, this one was re-released in 1969 and promoted as another entry in the Sartana series. Anthony Steffen and Gianni Garko play brothers, one good and one evil.  Steffen is wrongly imprisoned for a murder that Garko committed.  When Steffen gets out of jail, he returns to find that his evil brother has taken over the town and married his girl.  Anthony Steffen has had enough and is out for revenge.

Disc 1 - Side 2 - Film 2

If You Meet Sartana, Pray For Your Death (1968)

Starring: Gianni Garko, Klaus Kinski, William Berger

Directed by: Gianfranco Parolini

Music by: Piero Piccioni

Original Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Original Runtime: 95 minutes

DVD Runtime: 91 minutes

Here's another VHS sourced movie in the wrong aspect ratio, and this set began so well too...  The first of the Sartana series begins as a shipment of gold is robbed by William Berger and his gang - who get machined gunned when they try to double cross him. Berger and Klaus Kinski plan to blackmail the original gold thieves, a banker and his partners.  Unknown to all, Sartana is running the show and setting traps for all involved.

Disc 2 - Side 1 - Film 1
The Price of Death (1971)
Starring: Gianni Garko, Klaus Kinski
Directed by: Lorenzo Gicca Palli
Music by: Mario Migliardi
Original Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Original Runtime: 99 minutes
DVD Runtime: 89 minutes

The film opens with the murder of a woman by the unseen killer, a casino is robbed and the bad guys escape in a bloodbath.  Klaus Kinski is wrongly arrested for the robbery and the town judge sees this as the perfect opportunity to hang him.  His attorney pays a visit to Gianni Garko, a retired bounty killer (but not Sartana).  Garko finds the real robbers and Kinski is released, but not before Garko recognizes him as the man who killed the woman at the start of the picture.  Time for a shootout anyone?

Disc 2 - Side 1 - Film 2
Sartana in the Valley of Death (1970)
Starring: William Berger
Directed by: Roberto Mauri
Music by: Augusto Martili
Original Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Original Runtime: 95 minutes
DVD Runtime: 79 minutes

Although not the correct aspect ratio, the print presented here is very nice.  William Berger is hired to break the Douglas brothers out of jail for half of their stolen money.  Once they are safe, the brothers double cross Berger, who escapes into the desert. There he is found by a mysterious woman who brings him back to life - only to turn him in for the reward.  Remember children, crime does not pay.

Disc 2 - Side 2 - Film 1
Light the Fuse, Sartana is Coming (1970)
Starring: Gianni Garko
Directed by: Giuliano Carnimeo
Music by: Bruno Nicolai
Original Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Original Runtime: 99 minutes
DVD Runtime: 96 minutes

 

Sartana breaks into the local jail because he hears that a prisoner needs to talk to him. The prisoner was arrested for killing his partner, a crime he claims he didn't commit. Sartana believes him and helps him escape. They travel back to scene of the crime and Sartana finds out he was tricked. It's not a good idea to piss off the "Angel of Death" as Sartana will seek vengeance!

Disc 2 - Side 2 - Film 2

Sartana's Here... Trade Your Pistol For A Coffin (1970)

Starring: George Hilton

Directed by: Giuliano Carnimeo

Music by: Francesco De Masi

Original Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Original Runtime: 93 minutes

DVD Runtime: 91 minutes

 

Referred to as I Am Sartana on the packaging and menus, the pan & scan print used has an alternate title of Sartana's Here... Trade Your Pistol For A Coffin.  I don't know about you, but I'd rather have a slightly widescreen print in an incorrect aspect ratio than a pan & scan one any day.  In this one, Sartana and Sabata (no, not Lee Van Cleef's Sabata) team up to take on a crooked banker and a Mexican bandito.

Disc 3 - Film 1

One Damned Day At Dawn Django Meets Sartana (1970)

Starring: Fabio Testi, Hunt Powers

Directed by: Demofilo Fidani

Music by: Coriolano Gori

Original Aspect Ratio: Not Listed

Original Runtime: Not Listed

DVD Runtime: 82 minutes

Okay, I can see the reasoning behind titling this one Django and Sartana on the DVD. The print used seems to have forgotten one word in the translated title. Fabio Testi arrives in town as the new sheriff and quickly discovers that there is trouble brewing in town. The town boss and his gang are running a gun trafficking scheme.  Django is also lurking around town watching all that happens.  Eventually, Fabio Testi and Django team up to clean up the town one damned day at dawn.

Disc 3 - Film 2

Django and Sartana Are Coming, It's The End (1970)

Starring: Hunt Powers, Gordon Mitchell

Directed by: Demofilo Fidani

Music by: Coriolano Gori

Original Aspect Ratio: Not Listed

Original Runtime: 96 minutes

DVD Runtime: 84 minutes

Referred to as Django vs Sartana on the packaging and menus, Django and Sartana Are Coming, It's The End is the last movie in the collection and it is the weakest one.  The print appears to be taken from a television broadcast, complete with the Station ID in the lower right corner. The daughter of a wealthy land-owner is kidnapped by outlaws. He hires Django and Sartana to rescue her.

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The Spaghetti Western Bible Vol. 2 is an enormous improvement over Volume 1. All ten films are actually spaghetti westerns this time around and most of the prints used are of high quality. In my book, this one is worth picking up.  Let's just hope the next entry in the series at least retains these higher standards if not improves upon them.

Warner Brothers DVD2BLU

Warner Brothers has been running a promotion to upgrade certain Warner DVD titles to Blu-ray editions.  What you do, is send them the DVD version (from a select list of titles) along with five bucks (per movie) and they in turn, will send you the Blu-ray version of the movie.  I went through the whole process a while ago and everything went smoothly.  I received my Blu-rays within a couple of weeks.  Recently, Warner Brothers has been accepting ANY DVD in exchange for ANY Blu-ray from their selection.  Having experienced good results the previous time, I had to get in on this deal... and here the saga begins.

I placed an order for 8 Blu-rays back on November 5th.  When you complete the online form, you enter an email address where they will send a pre-paid shipping label.  You need this label in order to send your DVDs to them.  I patiently waited until November 15th before contacting them because I had not received the shipping label.  They promptly replied the next day.  Do you remember the part where you give them an email address to send the pre-paid label to?  Warner Brothers seems to not read what you enter here.  They sent the pre-paid shipping label to an email address that was not mine.  After calling them that same day, they sorted everything out and I received my pre-paid shipping label the next day, November 17th.

The next step is to send your DVDs to Warner Brothers using the pre-paid shipping label.  On this label, and here is where Warner Brothers hurts themselves, is a tracking number.  By using the United States Postal Service Website, you can see how long it takes for your DVDs to arrive at the processing facility.  I mailed my DVDs on November 19th and it reached Warners on November 24th at 9:52 am.

According to the instructions provided by Warner Brothers, they will send you an email when they receive your DVDs.  This is not the case.  I heard nothing from them.  So I waited, and waited and then waited some more.  After all, it was over the Thanksgiving holiday.  I sent them another email on December 2nd asking for an update. I pointed out that they failed to notify me when my DVDs were received.  By using the tracking number I was able to inform them that my DVDs reached their processing facility.  I awaited a reply, but heard nothing.

It is now December 27th.  While checking my credit card statement online, I noticed that they had finally charged me for the Blu-rays.  And yet, I heard nothing from Warner Brothers.  I received an email from them yesterday apologizing for the delay, but at least my Blu-rays have made it to the shipping department.

Guess what I got in the mail today?  Yes, that's correct.  My Blu-rays arrived 54 days after I placed the order.  The Customer Service Department at Warner Brothers DVD2BLU program is, oh I don't know, laughable... pathetic... a shambles... non-existent?  It is a good deal to turn your DVD into a Blu-ray for only five bucks, but be prepared for a long wait in silence.  Rest assured, the horror stories you have heard about the Warner Brothers DVD2BLU Program are, in fact, true.

Latest Acquisitions - December

After returning some Christmas presents I purchased for a certain someone, I was able to pay off my computer and even had a little left over to buy myself some presents.  All of the Black Friday blu-rays arrived this month as well, so we have quite the lengthy update.

Blu-ray Update

Back to the Future Trilogy

Starring: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Crispin Glover, Lea Thompson

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis

Music by: Alan Silvestri

Special Features: The special features are listed by movie below:

Back to the Future

Deleted Scenes

Tales From The Future Documentary Parts 1-3

3 Archival Featurettes

Michael J. Fox Q&A

4 Behind the Scenes Featurettes

5 Photo Galleries

"The Power of Love" Music Video

Teaser Trailer

Join Team Fox

Q&A Commentary with Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale

Commentary with Bob Gale and Neil Canton

Back to the Future Part II

Deleted Scenes

Tales From The Future Documentary Part 4

The Physics of Back to the Future

3 Archival Featurettes

7 Behind the Scenes Featurettes

5 Photo Galleries

Theatrical Trailer

Q&A Commentary with Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale

Commentary with Bob Gale and Neil Canton

Back to the Future Part III

Deleted Scenes

Tales From The Future Documentary Parts 5&6

3 Archival Featurettes

3 Behind the Scenes Featurettes

5 Photo Galleries

"Doubleback" Music Video

FAQs about the Trilogy

Theatrical Trailer

Back to the Future: The Ride

Q&A Commentary with Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale

Commentary with Bob Gale and Neil Canton

Centurion

Starring: Michael Fassbender,

Paul Freeman, Olga Kurylenko

Directed by: Neil Marshall

Music by: Ilan Eshkeri

Special Features: Behind the Scenes Documentary, Deleted Scenes with Commentary, Outtakes, Cast & Crew Interviews, Behind the Scenes Footage, Photo Galleries, Commentary with Neil Marshall and Crew

AD 117. The Roman Empire stretches from Egypt to Spain, and East as far as the Black Sea. But in northern Britain, the relentless onslaught of conquest has ground to a halt in face of the guerrilla tactics of an elusive enemy: the savage and terrifying Picts. Quintus Dias, sole survivor of the Pictish raid on a Roman frontier fort, marches north with General Virilus' legendary Ninth Legion, under orders to wipe the Picts from the face of the earth. However, when the legion is ambushed and Virilus is taken captive, Quintus faces a desperate struggle to keep his small platoon alive behind enemy lines. Enduring the harsh terrain and evading their remorseless Pict pursuers, the band of soldiers race to rescue their general and to reach the safety of the Roman frontier.

Gone With the Wind

Starring: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh

Directed by: Victor Fleming

Music by: Max Steiner

Special Features: Over 8 hours including more than 3 hours of new material for this collection, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Presents 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year Documentary, The Legend Lives on Featurette, Moviola: The Scarlett O'Hara War starring Tony Curtis, MGM: When The Lion Roars 6 hour Documentary

Jason and the Argonauts

Starring: Todd Armstrong, Honor Blackman

Directed by: Don Chaffey

Music by: Bernard Herrmann

Special Features: Commentary with Ray Harryhausen and Tony Dalton, Commentary with Peter Jackson and Randall William Cook, Original Skeleton Fight Storyboards, The Harryhausen Legacy Documentary, Ray Harryhausen Interviewed by John Landis, The Harryhausen Chronicles Documentary, Theatrical Trailers

Fantastic special effects by Ray Harryhausen and exciting mythological adventures make this a film that is fun for everyone. It's the story of Jason, a fearless sailor and explorer who returns to the kingdom of Thessaly after a 20 year voyage to make his rightful claim to the throne. But to do so, Jason must first find the magical Golden Fleece. He selects a crew and with the help of Hera, Queen of the Gods, sets sail in search of the fleece. Jason and his crew must overcome incredible obstacles including a 100 foot bronze giant, the venomous Hydra, a huge creature with the heads of seven snakes, and a spectacular battle with an army of skeletons.

The Long Good Friday

Starring: Bob Hoskins, Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Paul Freeman

Directed by: John Mackenzie
Music by: Francis Monkman

Special Feature: Theatrical Trailer

Mob boss Harold Shand runs an underworld empire, but he dreams of a lucrative deal that will transform him into a legitimate businessman. Together with his partner in crime, the sexy, sophisticated Victoria, he aspires to use American mafia money to develop the barren docklands of London for the upcoming Olympics. However, their perfect plan begins to unravel when a string of deadly bombings leads Shand to a stunning realization and forces him into an explosive showdown in this taut, riveting thriller.

The Maltese Falcon

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet

Directed by: John Huston

Music by: Adolph Deutsch

Special Features: Commentary with Eric Lax, One Magnificent Bird Featurette, Breakdowns of 1941 Blooper Reel, Makeup Tests, Trailers of Humphrey Bogart, Warner Night at the Movies 1941 Short Subjects Gallery, 2 Maltese Falcon Radio Shows

A gallery of high-living lowlifes will stop at nothing to get heir sweaty hands on a jewel-encrusted falcon. Detective Sam Spade wants to find out why - and who'll take the fall for his partner's murder. An all star cast joins Bogart in this crackling mystery masterwork written for the screen (from Dashiell Hammett's novel) and directed by John Huston. This nominee for 3 Academy Awards - Best Picture, Supporting Actor and Screenplay - catapulted Bogart to stardom and launched Huston's directorial career.

Salt (steelbook only at Best Buy)

Starring: Angelina Jolie

Directed by: Phillip Noyce

Music by: James Newton Howard

Special Features: Commentary with Phillip Noyce, 5 Featurettes, Making of Documentary, Radio Interview with Phillip Noyce

Evelyn Salt, a trusted and loyal CIA operative, goes on the run when a Russian defector convinces her superiors that she's a double agent sent to assassinate the President of the United States. As the intense manhunt heats up, Salt uses all her skills as a covert operative to elude capture and uncovers a secret so powerful it could change the course of world history.

Saving Private Ryan

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Music By: John Williams

Special Features: Introduction with Steven Spielberg, 8 featurettes, Shooting War Documentary, Theatrical Trailer, Re-Release Trailer

Seen through the eyes of a squad of American soldiers, the story begins with World War II's historic D-Day invasion, then moves beyond the beach as the men embark on a dangerous special mission. Captain John Miller must take his men behind enemy lines to find Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in combat. Faced with impossible odds, the men question their orders: Why are eight men risking their lives to save just one? Surrounded by the brutal realities of war, each man searches for his own answer - and the strength to triumph over an uncertain future with honor, decency and respect.

Shutter Island

Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio, Ben Kingsley, Max Von Sydow

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Music Supervision by: Robbie Robertson

Special Features: 2 Featurettes

Academy Award winning director Martin Scorsese once again teams up with Leonardo DiCaprio in this spine-chilling thriller. When U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels arrives at the asylum for the criminally insane on Shutter Island, what starts as a routine investigation quickly takes a sinister turn. As the investigation unfolds and Teddy uncovers more shocking and terrifying truths about the island, he learns there are some places that never let you go.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand

Starring: Andy Whitfield, John Hannah, Lucy Lawless

Music by: Joseph LoDuca

Special Features: Extended Episodes, Commentary, 9 Featurettes

Betrayed by the Romans, forced into slavery, reborn as a gladiator. The classic tale of the Republic's most infamous rebel comes alive in the graphic and visceral new series.  Torn from his homeland and the woman he loves, Spartacus is condemned to the brutal world of the arena where blood and death are primetime entertainment. But not all battles are fought upon the sands. Treachery, corruption, and the allure of the sensual pleasures will constantly test Spartacus. To survive, he must become more than a man, more than a gladiator. He must become a legend.

True Grit

Starring: John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall,

Dennis Hopper

Directed by: Henry Hathaway

Music by: Elmer Bernstein

Special Features: Commentary with Jeb Rosebrook, Bob Boze Bell and J. Stuart Rosebrook, 4 Featurettes, Theatrical Trailer

The cantankerous Rooster Cogburn is hired by a headstrong young girl to find the man who murdered her father and fled with the family savings. When Rooster's employer insists on accompanying the old gunfighter, sparks fly. And the situation goes from troubled to disastrous when an inexperienced Texas Ranger joins the party. Laughter and tears punctuate the wild action in this extraordinary western.

Vampire Circus

Starring: Adrienne Corri

Directed by: Robert Young

Music by: David Whitaker

Special Features: Making of Documentary, 2 Featurettes, Motion Comic Book, Still and Poster Gallery, Theatrical Trailer

A little girl is brutally slain by a vampire in a tiny 19th century Austrian village. Seeking revenge, the townspeople invade the foreboding castle of Count Mitterhaus and kill him for the crime. As the Count dies, he curses the villagers and vows their children will all die so that he may someday return to life. Fifteen years later, as the village is ravaged by the plague, a traveling circus comes to town and distracts the villagers from their hardships. Little do they know that their troubles are only beginning! The circus is actually a troupe of shape-shifting vampires and, as the local children start disappearing, they realize the prophecy of the long dead Count is coming true.

DVD Update

Grindhouse Experience Volume 1

20 Film Feature Collection

Women's Camp 119

Tortured Angels

Savage Man/Savage Beast

Raw Force

Confessions of a Police Captain

Executioner 2

Poseidon Explosion

Earthquake 7.9

Violent Professionals

Frank and Tony

Kung Fu Punch of Death

Return of the Tiger

Go Kill and Come Back

Bounty Man

Three Tough Guys

The Children

Demon Witch Child

High School Hitch Hikers

Carry On Emmannuelle

The Master Touch

Starring: Kirk Douglas, Giulian Gemma

Directed by: Michelle Lupo

Music by: Ennio Morricone

Wallace is an aging thief past his prime who wants to pull off one final robbery. Fresh out of jail, Wallace immediately begins to hammer out plans for the big heist. The only problem? Wallace's wife, not wanting to see her husband go back to the big house - possibly for good - is dead set against it. But Wallace is determined that he's come up with the perfect plan for his target of one million dollars, housed in the safe of all safes in Germany. he's got a gymnast on his side and an airtight alibi to boot. But even the best-laid plans have their flaws and sometimes even the best career criminals get caught.

MetalStorm

Starring: Jeffrey Byron, Kelly Preston

Directed by: Charles Band

Music by: Richard Band

MetalStorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn.  A miner and his daughter Dhyana fall prey to the evil dictator Jared-Syn's reign of terror. Dogen, the brave peacekeeping ranger, must save Dhyana and the rest of her planet from the forces of Jared-Syn, his son, Baal, and the hideous cyclopean warlord, Hurok. If Dogen does not find Dhyana in time she will be sacrificed to Jared-Syn's strange live-giving crystal.

Phantom of the Opera

Starring: Julian Sands, Asia Argento

Directed by: Dario Argento

Music by: Ennio Morricone

Special Features: Interview with Julian Sands, Behind the Scenes Footage, Fangoria Article, Photo Galleries, Trailers

Mysteriously, a series of terrifying accidents and brutal murders leaves a bloody body trail in the subterranean caverns of an opera house basement. Born into the murky sewer waters below the theater stalks a man/monster raised by creatures of the underworld. This Phantom's dark and grotesque life is shattered when he becomes obsessed with a beautiful young singer, seducing her with his chilling but exotic presence.

Secrets of a Call Girl

Starring: Edwige Fenech, Richard Conte

Directed by: Giuliano Carnimeo

Music by: Luciano Michelini

Special Features: Interviews with Giulino Carnimeo, Edwige Fenech, Ernesto Gastaldi, Poster and Still Gallery, Theatrical Trailer

International sex symbol Edwige Fenech stars as Anna, a beautiful but naive small town sales girl, who quickly falls into an abusive relationship with sadistic mobster Guido. He soon forces Anna deep into the abyss of depravity, violence and prostitution and, looking to start a new life, she escapes from Guido with their son and finally finds happiness in the arms of Lorenzo, a sensitive doctor. But before long, Guido finds her and wants revenge on the woman whose life he has so ruthlessly controlled for so long, leaving Anna no choice but to face her tormentor and confront her greatest fear.