Black Killer

I was sold when I saw Klaus Kinski on the poster artwork. Playing the title character too. Sadly in spite of that, he actually plays secondary to Fred Robsahm's rugged heroic cowboy, corrupt townsfolk judge and flamboyant dressed, evil cackling Mexican bandit brothers in this surprisingly ruthless, yet formulaic spaghetti western set in the town Tombstone?!

What starts with a loose string of story threads and characters eventually had Kinski's sly, scheming lawyer as the glue holding the (confounded and raggedly edited) plot together. It's rather a collected performance, although the intensity in his eyes is all on show emoting every lingering thought. However he doesn't get much to do on the action front. Unless you enjoy watching him read, glare down, creeping about, peering out of windows or behind red curtains with books always in hand. Books you say, yep books. Oh there's a catch. Think Django with his coffin... now how about Black Killer/James Webb with his books. Even one with a built in draw string. Kinski gets creative with his pistol handling, real creative on the quick draw and faultless with his aim. The problem... I just wish we had more of it. It's a small novelty, but this along with the wicked spaghetti flavoured music score made a lasting impression.