The western hero Django has been portrayed in many films by a number of actors since the mid 1960’s. The character fights off adversaries saving towns from ruthless men and women before moving on to fight again somewhere else. The origin of the name Django comes from Romani and mean “I awake” according to Google. And in those films that I have seen, the meaning holds true as the fighter for right appears out of nowhere to help those that are oppressed.
The 1966 version that according to International Movie Data Base and backed by Wikipedia was the first film about Django. It was an Italian production directed by Sergio Corbucci and starred Franco Nero as the quick draw protagonist. The version has been released by Arrow Video and remastered from a 4K scan for standard Blu-ray players.
In the “Spaghetti Western”, Django (Franco Nero) arrives at the outskirts of a Texas town on the border of Mexico pulling a coffin behind him. When he comes to a hill, he sees from afar a band of Mexican bandits with a woman, Maria (Loredana Nusciak), tied to a cross. Arriving on the scene are the hired killers of Major Jackson (Edwardo Fajardo) and they make waste of the Mexicans. When they start whipping Maria however, Django will have nothing of it. He confronts the men taking them down with a flurry of shots from his six shooter.
Arriving in town pulling the coffin behind him and Maria by his side they enter a cantina run by Nathaniel (angel Alvarez). The prostitutes in the bar know Maria and Django finds out that she fled the town from the clutches of Major Jackson. Thus begins a wild shoot-em-up with Django facing impossible odds.
Nicely filmed for the era of cinemascope, the campy script should be a classic for collators. Especially since this film spawned so many other filmmakers to use the character or just add to the characters in other Spaghetti Westerns. One of the more memorable takeoffs is Django Unchained (2012) written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Others not as familiar include: Django, Prepare a Coffin (1968), Django the Bastard (1969), Django (2017), Viva Django (1917) and many more including some TV shows.
Special Features on the Blu-ray Disc Include:
“Commentary with Stephen Prince”
“Cannibal of the Wild West” Newly filmed interview with assistant director Ruggero Deodato
“Django Never Dies” Newly filmed interview star Franco Nero
“Sergio, My Husband” Newly filmed interview with Sergio Corbucci’s wife Neri Corbucci
“That’s My Life: Part 1” Unseen archival interview with co-writer Franco Rossetti
“Image Galleries”
Django 1966 on Blu-ray remastered has not been rated, but contains content that should be considered R rated. The film is a bit of history and nostalgia and recommend for those who are film buffs and Wild West fans ie. The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly (1966)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Franco Nero, Loredana Nusciak, José Bodalo, Angel Alvarez & Eduardo Fajardo.
Directed and co-written by: Sergio Corbucci
Co-written by: Bruno Corbucci and Franco Rossetti
Genre: Spaghetti Western, Action
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains violence, rude language,
Running Time: 1 hr. 32 min.
Video Release Date: August 3, 2021
Original Theatrical Release Date: 1966
Language: English
Reviewed Format: Remastered Blu-ray
Video: Aspect Ratio 1.86:1
Subtitles: English, Italian
Distributed by: Arrow Video
Avalialbe as Blu=ray and 4K Ultra Blu-ray
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
