For most of us the only interaction we've ever had when it came to spaghetti westerns (those westerns made by Italian directors and companies in the 60s and 70s) were the Clint Eastwood films in the genre. What many may not be aware of is the fact that there were a ton of these movies made. In addition to that was the fact that several series were made in the genre. Perhaps the most well-known was Django. With director Quentin Tarantino bringing the character into today's films a few years ago, interest in the previous movies has piqued the interest of movie fans. Now one has received the Arrow Video treatment.DJANGO PREPARE A COFFIN begins with Django (Terence Hill) turning down a job opportunity from David Barry (Horst Frank) after saving him from an angry land owner. Barry is in the process of taking as much land as possible and building an empire for himself in the hope of becoming a large political figure for the area. After turning down the job, Django, his wife and a small group of settlers head out only to be ambushed, shot and left for dead by Barry's men. Django survives and sets out on a trail of vengeance. He moves to a nearby location where no one knows who he is and takes on the job of local hangman. But this isn't actually the case. Each of his "victims" is instructed on how to behave when they are hung. The reality is that he has them rigged to just appear dead. In return for their lives Django is assembling a group of men he considers innocent and victims of an unjust system as well. These are the men he hopes to use as his gang when taking on the despicable Barry. Apparently he didn't choose the men carefully enough as one leads the rest to abandon him and steal a shipment of gold before Barry's gang can reach it. His treachery continues and Django is caught by Barry and his men and tortured. Left while they attempt to catch the men who stole the gold, Django finds a way to set himself free and continues on his quest for revenge against both Barry and the men that betrayed him.The movie offers plenty of action and story, perhaps more than many films in the genre. Django is the clear hero here but he doesn't use the heroic methods we've become accustomed to in most westerns. He's quick with a gun but uses his head to better effect. Hill is the perfect choice for the role having had success in several other spaghetti westerns before and after, most notably the Trinity series. But that comedic attitude isn't on display here, instead opting for a more deadly character portrayal. Not having collected movies in this genre before my best guess is that quality prints have been hard to find and both bootleg and lesser quality prints have had to suffice for fans. Not so any longer as Arrow Video has given this film their standard love and care. What we have is a stunning quality print to view for fans and just movie lovers both. Perhaps the only thing lacking in their version is the amount of extras to be found. I'm not a lover of extras but that's become different with Arrow. Their extras are almost always new and refreshing compared to most. Here they limit it to a short called Django Explained" a new interview with Spaghetti Western expert and author Kevin Grant and the theatrical trailer.That being said it remains a quality product and one that fans will want to add to their collection. Non-fans will want to make sure they give it a watch just to see how good these movies were. And Arrow fans will add this to their collections as well, knowing the quality they'll receive when they do so.

Shrewd roving gunslinger Django (an excellent and convincing performance by Terence Hill) gets hired by the sadistic Lucas (a perfectly nasty portrayal by the always imposing George Eastman) as a hangman to execute innocent folks who have been framed by Lucas. However, Django doesn't kill these men; instead he spares their lives and makes them members of his gang so he can get revenge on cruel and unscrupulous politician David (finely played by Horst Frank) for murdering his wife. Ably directed by Ferdinando Baldi (who also co-wrote the intriguing script), with a steady pace, a twangy, harmonic score by Gianfranco Reverberi (the jaunty theme song totally smokes), a compelling premise, slick cinematography by Enzo Barboni (the gliding tracking shots are especially impressive), a tough, serious tone, well-staged action set pieces (the expected rough'n'ready fisticuffs and fierce shoot-outs are both smack dead on the money exciting while a thrilling stage coach robbery rates as the definite pulse-pounding highlight), and strong central themes concerning honor and revenge, this movie certainly makes the grade as a superior spaghetti Western winner. Kudos are also in order for the sound acting from the capable cast: Hill excels in a juicy lead role, with bang-up support from Frank, Eastman, Jose Torres as the lethal, treacherous Garcia, and the lovely Barbara Simon as Garcia's fetching, loyal wife Mercedes. Recommended viewing for spaghetti Western buffs.

Whilst Viva Django is one of many Spaghetti Westerns to steal the "Django" moniker following the success of Corbucci's classic, this particular outing is a rarity in that it both captures the mood and effect of the original and actually contains the same character.The story presumably acts as a prequel to the Corbucci movie, with Django (on this occasion played by Terence Hill) hellbent on revenge following the murder of his wife at the hands of Lucas (George Eastman) and his gang. Django was sold-out by his former friend and politician David Barry (Horst Frank).Years have passed and Django is acting as the local hangman, whose job is to execute 'innocent' locals who have been framed by Barry for the thefts carried out on his behalf by the Lucas gang. Both are unaware that Django is faking the executions, and recruiting the condemned for his act of revenge.Few of these men can be trusted however, and whilst Django's back is turned (during the rescue of the innocent wife of one of the group members from the hangman's noose) a number sabotage Django's plot and beat Lucas' gang to a proposed ambush of a cash shipment. I shall ruin the plot no more.......This is perhaps Terence Hill's greatest role (albeit in effect playing Franco Nero playing Django) as I personally often find his slapstick styling of later movies difficult to grasp. Here however he oozes class, clad all in black and convincingly playing the character second only to the Man With No Name for pure charisma. The rest of the cast is also a real treat - with both Eastman and Frank as brilliant as ever. Eastman's characters alway manage to be quite likable regardless of their bad morals and actions, whilst Frank just oozes with evil. Two of the great great supporting actors of the genre.Ferdinando Baldi's direction also merits much credit, managing to both keep the feel of Corbucci's original whilst also firmly stamping the movie with his own "comic book action" trademark. The final scene in the graveyard deserves particular mention - a real "fist in the air" moment of excitement, with some great dialogue also.Gianfranco Reverbi provides a really recognisable score, and the title theme track "You'd Better Smile" will stick in the head for days. And quite rightly so! Whilst not all the Django films are worthy of much mention at all, this particular Django is one that should most definitely be viewed. Great entertainment.

Here is a early film of Terence Hill as Django, the legendary machine-gunning mystery man always bent on revenge. This is a terrific film and the best Django since the original with Franco Nero. Terence Hill plays the part perfectly & along with a very good cast. Django had always been one of my favorite western characters. The character is always so dark and without the pretentiousness that some westerns have at times. If you like westerns that are dark & all about revenge you will really enjoy this. The soundtrack is great with the usual belting out of "DJANGOOOO!!!" that you'll find in various songs that are in the other 857645645645645 Django movies. If you ever find a copy of this film pick it up for sure, it is almost impossible to find these days.