MY REVIEW OF IT


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FOUR OF THE APOCALYPSE(1975)
(Directed by Lucio Fulci)

Plot: Four strangers are forced to wander the desert while encountering various obstacles. Also known as “Four Horseman of the Apocalypse” and “Once Upon a time in Italy”.

Review:
“Four of the Apocalypse” is another western by Lucio Fulci. Unlike his previous western, “Massacre Time”, Fulci doesn’t try to rip-off Leone’s westerns. In fact, I can proudly say that this film has virtually no resemblance to Leone’s films. Wait, *notices the alternate tite: “Once Upon a Time in Italy”*, DAMMIT! That’s all I want to see, a rip-off of “Once Upon a Time in the West”. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a good movie. But it’s long and slow and I don’t want to see a rip-off from someone who ISN’T SERGIO LEONE! Okay, with that said, it’s not really a rip off that movie. I’m actually kind of confused why they’d want to cash in on a movie that flopped upon it’s initial run(people like it now, but not then). Still, I greatly admire this movie, even though it took two viewings for me to feel this way.

The movie starts off with a narrator giving some exposition. Oddly, he states this takes place in Utah, making the alternative title even more vexing. I’m sure it was shot in Italy, but it still looked like this took place in the American west. Anyway, we are introduced to Stubby, a gambler and a con-man. He gets caught by the Sheriff and arrested. While in Jail, he meets Bunny(a prostitute), Clem(a drunk) and Butt(yes, that’s his name. He see’s dead people). Stubby arrived in town at a bad time, as the people have decided to “clean it out” by killing all the corrupt people. Yet after taking a bribe, the Sheriff let’s them go with their own carriage. Unfortunately, they have 200 miles of desert to go before they reach the next town!

This is ultimately where the movie began having it’s problems. The story is told in a very episodic format. They go from one place to another, each with its own contained storyline. Call it episodic, unfocused, incoherent, etc. and you’re probably going to be right. In many ways, Fulci succeeded in making this more dream-like, which was his goal with his previous western(“Massacre Time”). Yet even though it’s dream-like, there is also an unusual realism that isn’t even present in Leone’s westerns. But we’ll get into that more later.

Anyway, the stories basically amount to a few things. For one, Bunny is pregnant and this becomes a serious issue as time goes on. Two, they meet the evil Chaco. Without spoiling anything, he seems like he’s their friend but Stubby seems quite suspicious of him. With good cause too, as Chaco ends up tying them up, raping Bunny and stealing their stuff. Now they’re out of food, supplies and they still have a lot of desert to get through. But sadly, the movies greatest weakness is it doesn’t capitalize off of the Chaco subplot enough. He shows up for awhile, makes the movie interesting, and then vanishes until the very end.

The movie has some of the most stunning cinematography that I’ve ever seen, especially in a western. The landscapes very from very dry and desolate to warm and comforting(oddly, this is at it’s peek during a snowy seen). Eventually the crew wanders into a ghost town, and that seen enough is monumental in terms of its beauty. Yet the ghost town also manages to be menacing, which makes an interesting contrast. Often, the characters are so secluded from civilization, it feels like they are wandering the apocalypse. As I said, this is quite dream-like. The score often comprises of 70’s tunes that directly correlate into the story. It actually reminded me of the Simon and Garfunkle score in “The Graduate”.

Fulci really shines here as the director. He gives plenty of lyrical transitions as well as some of the weirdest shots ever. At one point, there is a POV show that is looking at Stubby and Bunny from one of the houses in the ghost town. We presume someone is there. We find it ironic when Stubby suggests someone might be in there. But then he points somewhere else, and it transitions to another POV from the house that Stubby is pointing out. Butt says that there are lots of ghosts in the town, which makes this seen oddly eerie. Yet this is never a ghost story, and we’re never given an answer to whose eyes we’re seeing this from. He also brings out lots of tension when he needs to, but also some touching moments as well.

Now I feel I need to make some reference to the tone of the flick. As I said, it’s dream-like(I think that’s the third time I’ve said that). It feels like the characters are simply wandering through dreams of the old west. They meet the stereotyped Christian travelers, the stereotyped bandits, the stereotyped town and are even slight stereotypes themselves. Yet among this we have some very realistic people in very realistic circumstances. Stubby is our hero, yet he’s no Clint Eastwood. Just look at the way he carries a gun. He has probably used one once or twice, but he shoots as if he’s inexperienced. When people die, there is nothing glorified about it. It’s sad, and people try to distract themselves from death here in the weirdest ways possible. You have to see it to believe it. In short, it’s bleak, but not completely depressing either. There is hope and there is sentimentality.

The characters also deserve their own mentions. Stubby is spoiled at first, but gradually grows into a worthwhile person. Still, on a minor sour note, I didn’t feel his development was whole. Bunny is clearly inexperienced in her profession. She’s sweet, but also strong and her burden of carrying a child makes it hard for her. Clem just comes across as a drunk at first. His biggest conflict is that he has no alcohol anymore. But he does something very bad and his regret makes him fully human. Yet the most interesting is Butt. He is clearly mad, thinking he can speak to ghosts. Yet this is done in almost desperation on his part. He gives a heartfelt monologue about how ghosts don’t believe in any kind of racism and such. Yet at the same time, we learn that he is also to be feared. He seems harmless, but he’s not. Oddly, he’s never a villain, but we see how messed up his mind really is at one point. Yuck, that bit is going to give me nightmares.

On the major downside, the pacing is pretty bad. This really becomes noticeable during the third act. It simply becomes straight up boring by that point and I wanted it to end. The editing itself constantly needed some work. At times I got confused at the continuity or the abrupt scene changes. It’s a shame because with some tightening in this department, we could have had a masterpiece.

“Four of the Apocalypse” is the closest thing Lucio Fulci ever got to art. It’s all about the wonderful visuals and creative direction. The characters and acting are surprisingly good for this type of movie. However, it’s slow, almost becoming boring. So you’ve been advised.

Fabio Testi(Stubby) really impressed me here. In fact, I’d argue that this is the best performance to appear in a Fulci movie. Lynne Frederick(Bunny) looks stunning and her acting is generally good, although the bad dubbing effects her the most. Harry Baird(Butt, sometimes referred to as “Bud” in cast listings) might annoy you. Personally, he creeped me out. Michael J. Pollard(Clem) does fine as the drunk, with one moment that really sticks out. Thomas Milian(Chaco) was incredibly menacing in his limited screen time. He also has an uncanny resemblance to Captain Jack Sparrow(“Pirates of the Caribbean”).

Violence: Rated R. Yes, it’s very brutal and graphic. Arguably the most violent western ever made(at least out of the ones I’ve seen).

Nudity: Rated R. Lynne Frederick gets naked(we see mostly her breasts). Harry Baird shows it all too……ew.

Overall: “Four of the Apocalypse” is recommended to all who have no problems with slow pacing and enjoy art-house stuff, especially when it’s intermingled with westerns. I really appreciated this film, but the slow pace and crummy editing simply kept it from being great.

3/4 Stars

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Good review. I'd have to agree overall.

Just for clarification though, the "Once Upon a Time in Italy" alternative title is not a title of the film itself. It was just the title of a special boxed set that had this and several other classic Spaghetti Westerns in it. I think it's just a misunderstanding on IMDB's behalf.

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