They Call Me Trinity (1970)
Dir - Enzo Barboni
A few days ago, fellow hivean @Sayee wrote about Trinity is Still My Name, which is a sequel to They Call Me Trinity (1970). I realized that although I have not seen the sequel, the maiden entry in this series is a film I enjoyed much years ago and I'm pretty sure it would still make a perfect entry for a movie night with friends.
This is a spaghetti western film made by Enzo Barboni in Italy and it got some critical acclamation but it was quite popular in abroad and I can understand why! The film is a joyride, requires little thoughts, accessible to the majority. This is the kind of film from where popular gestures are born, the hero gets imitated and referenced to— at parties countless times over the weekends!
There's your typical spaghetti western style of introducing the hero—there's some anticipation, tense moments, people underestimating the hero in his shabby outfits and barbarous table manners — then he pops out the quick fingers! Bam Bam! You know how it goes. :) I love these opening scenes in western films, gets me in the mood!
Sit tight, get your hat and boots on and enjoy the ride!
The Plot
Trinity is a lazy gunslinger and a handsome young man (played by Terrence Hill) who's famously known as the right hand of the devil for his quick draw. He snatches a prisoner from a couple of bounty hunters and heads to a town. It turns out his brother, Bambino (played by Bud Spencer), a horse-thief is posing as the sheriff of the town. Things are not going well in the town. There's a local shark strong-arming a band of mormons over a piece of land. The two brothers, despite their mutual differences, unite against the shark. Also there are more going on for Trinity as two pretty young mormon girls take fancy to him and him to them. Apparently, they're not opposed to polygamy as well! What luck, eh?
They call me trinity is essentially comedy film, and it uses humor generously. While sometimes they seem silly (for instance the scenes with Mezcal the drunk raider, and forced mormon comedy), most of them stick — making the film pretty hilarious. Trinity's cool, chivalrous, lookin'-for-trouble characteristics contrast well with Bambino's deadpan, serious air. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons for their future successes.
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There's a long fight scene at the end, I don't think i have seen many fight scenes that are this long — it doesn't seem to end. I was watching the film with a couple of friends, no film students, just some guys and even they grew weary of the fights!
I enjoyed it though. I realized, if you keep watching it, you go into a loop even seeing mindless, crazy action scenes, lol!
This is actually a film to experience, no amount of talking will get you any clear a picture. So here's a link to the trailer —
And I think you can see the entire film on youtube as well -
Happy watching!
You can read more of my film and literature related articles on my hive blog page.
Thanks for writing about it. You have reviewed it well. These movies are now a classic because nobody would make such again in the present age. Even in those times, these movies were really near-perfect cinematography compared to the rest of the world.
True, 60s-70s were the best period for cinema. So many great works! Even the B movies were better than modern movies.
yes, Indeed. I also miss those movie days
I think I saw this movie when I was little. My dad worked on a cruise liner and he brought home VHS tapes every time he comes home. I would give this another watch.
Ah VHS tapes! Good times! I was little then, but got to rent a few even then.
Happy watching mate!