DVD My name is nobody - Region 2 - English Audio - Terence Hill - Henry Fonda

I must admit that I am no fan of those strange and bizarre creations that came out of that manic short period of the Italian spaghetti western, but there are always exceptions to the rule. Sergio Leone's monumental "Once Upon a Time in the West"(69) would be hard to leave out of anyones top ten Western list of all time. But by 1973 when "My Name is Nobody" was made, they had become a parody of themselves. The film was officially directed by Tonino Valerii who also made the remarkable "The Price of Power"(69). Unofficially though Sergio Leone had a huge influence on the film and directed some scenes. It has his hallmarks written all over it.The script follows an ageing gunfighter in 1899 who is out to avenge the death of his brother. He is played by the then 67 year old Fonda, in his last western role, as a 51 year old. As in "Once Upon a Time..." he looks very good for his age. He then meets a young hero worshipper who is also very quick on the gun called nobody. It soon becomes clear that nobody wants to become somebody very badly, as he engineers an epic showdown between Fonda and the 150 strong "Wild Bunch". When the world is once again reminded of what a great gunfighter Fonda is, the stage is set for Nobody to shoot him down in front of an admiring audience and take over his mantle. Will it all go according to plan?The film again uses that much used theme of the passing of the Old West, much as did Peckinpah's "The Wild Bunch". Homage is dutifully paid to Sam Peckinpah who often used this theme. R G Armstrong a Peckinpah stalwart is used to good effect in the film and there is even a grave in the film with the name Sam Peckinpah on it. Not very subtle! The script is pretty loose and there are some very strange happenings. Terence Hill a star of the Trinity spaghetti Westerns gives an over the top performance more reminiscent of Jack Nicholson in "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest". It is perhaps the films main flaw. Fonda as was so often the case glues the film together with his mere presence. He shows once again what a fine actor he was. Some of the humour is very funny whilst other attempts miss the mark. Perhaps a bit too Marx brothers at times. Ennio Morricone provides a decent music score but it is far from his magnificent best. The location filming in New Mexico and Almeria in Spain, Leone's favourite location, give the film a very authentic look. Overall I found myself enjoying the film as a refreshing change from something more traditional. A generous four stars because it is so entertainingly oddball.

A forgotten gem.

Tonino Valerii was Sergio Leones cinematographer of choice, and it is assumed that Sergio Leone directed at least some of this wonderful Western, in addition to his stated 'producer' role.The style, the trademark Ennio Morricone music, the nostalgia for disappearing times and the locations all are familiar Leone staples, but this movie showcases humour and more script than we normally expect from him.Be aware that this is a comedic take, but done so subtly and charmingly by Nobody (played by the perfect cast blonde blue eyed Terence Hill) and his interplay with Henry Fonda, that it never gets in the way of the style and story.Henry Fonda represents the old West, and maybe even the old Western, who is planning to move to Europe and live out the rest of his years. Nobody is the character who appears a buffoon and simple minded but is actually possibly the smartest of them all, and maybe the fastest on the draw. His desire is to see his hero go down not fading away into old age, but in a blaze of glory..Right down to the finale, the interchanges between them are touching as well as bringing a smile to your face, and while occasionally the humour is more slapstick than you might be used to, overall you are left with a nostalgic glow from the heartwarming ending.If you like Westerns, or if you like Leone, or even if you just like something a little different, then this is a must see.

My favourite comedy western. The frequent cutaways to the 'wild bunch' have always amused me, and I laugh even more every time I see Poldark riding backwards and forwards along Cornish cliff tops. The difference is that in in My Name... it is done for comic effect, and works well, while Poldark does it for no obvious reason, which I find even funnier. However there is a lot more to My Name... than this, some of which may well provoke hysterical laughter. A western with the feel of a spaghetti, but one that refuses to take itself seriously, and lots of visual gags. This is not a crowded genre but My Name.. is certainly the best of its time. If you liked the more recent Lone Ranger I think that you will find this film very much to your taste. It makes a fine double feature with the serious and stylish Once Upon a Time in the West. Get them both, lay in some food and drinks and have a great winter evening in.

I remembered watching this as a child and ordered it expecting to really enjoy it again myself and that my husband would also enjoy it since he is a big fan of Sergio Leone. I think I must have confused it with some of Terence Hill's other films as I did not enjoy it nearly as much as I thought I would. It is rather a strange film in which nothing much seems to happen and the progression of the main story is hijacked by all sorts of weird things (like the scene in the urinal with the engine driver and the whistling) which seem to have no point to them.

I had a little trouble finding this 1973 movie, and I can't understand why it's not more popular.As spaghetti westerns go it is brilliant (released in Italy as: Il mio nome è Nessuno): plenty of action (the reluctant Hero is a retiring gunslinger, but his nr 1 fan wants to make a legend out of him, so he needs him to die in a last heroic deed, by taking on the 'Wild Bunch' gang - all 150 of them...).Terence Hill (Nobody) excels at being the pesky, dog-with-a-bone fan. Henri Fonda (Jack Beauregard) is the cool, classy guy and legend material.This movie is cheekily funny; action packed, and actually has a good plot. Music by Ennio Morricone, Direction by Toni Valerii and Sergio Leone.A must see for girls and blokes alike,