RELEASED IN 1969 and directed by Giorgio Capitani (aka Holloway), "The Ruthless Four" is an Italian-German Western about an old prospector (Van Heflin) who discovers gold in the Nevada desert and only trusts his quasi-stepson (George Hilton) to apprehend it. Unfortunately for them, the latter is indebted to a shady man (Klaus Kinski) while the former is forced to enlist a bitter ex-comrade (Gilbert Roland). My title blurb pretty much says it all. The acting is good and Sarah Ross is a highlight in a too-small role as a saloon babe, plus there are a couple of good elongated gunfights (in the middle and at the end). But the story is too one-note to be compelling, not to mention it's predictable. The average Jimmy Stewart Western of the 50s, like "Bend of the River" and "The Far Country," has more happening in 25 minutes than this film does in its entire runtime. Still, the music's good and there's some worthy Western cinematography. The movie runs 106 minutes and was shot in Almeria, Andalusia, Spain. WRITERS: Fernando Di Leo & Augusto Caminito. GRADE: C

Like so many Van Heflin and Gilbert Roland hit the trail for Europe in search of roles in the 60s. This was a German made western so rather than call it a spaghetti western, maybe a weinerschnitzel western would be more appropriate.Of course I have a prejudice toward any other country attempting the great American art form, but The Ruthless Four is not too bad for the genre. It concerns Van Heflin who already killed one partner trying to do him out of his half. But as he explains it's not the finding, it's the digging and the transportation if you make a big strike that you have to have help and maybe cut them in. But who can you trust when gold is involved?The trouble is that Heflin, Roland, and George Hilton and Klaus Kinski the young guns who they get all don't trust each other. Not even Heflin and Roland who have history, both good and bad.This was all done before in better American films like The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre and Lust For Gold. Still this one isn't too bad and Heflin and Roland are always worthwhile.

Fair prospector named Sam Cooper (good lead from Van Heflin) in search of gold in West find treachery , suspicion and greed . Sam is a man who has struck a rich vain of gold. The problem is one man can't get enough out and back, he needs a partner. Circumstances conspire to land him with three. Sam calls his pupil who he raised as his son called Manolo Sanchez (George Hilton) who is accompanied by a rare person , a forth partner named Brent the Blonde (played by Werner Herzog's Best Fiend Klaus Kinski) . Old prospector Sam Cooper meet up with a grizzled gunslinger named Mason (Gilbert Roland), a man who holds a grudge against Sam believing he double crossed him some years earlier and decides to join with them in search of gold in the desert . They form a quartet of unlikely mining pals ; both of whom match wills and wits and fight outlaws , elements and ambition among them . Through enormous difficulties, they eventually succeed in finding gold, but also bandits , elements, and most especially greed threaten to turn their success into disaster . As they struggle among themselves to unearth a fortune in gold from a remote Southwestern mine without falling prey to each other's bullets.Entertaining Spaghetti Western with shootouts , action ,violence and amusement . The story is similar to previous classic ¨The treasure of the Sierra Madre¨ but realized in Spaghetti style . The film contains action-Western , gun-play , fist-play and is pretty bemusing . Giorgio Capitani's spaghetti western, probably won't be making too many top ten lists, but its an agreeable flick . It's an exciting western that scrutinizes the greed and paranoia that afflicts a misfit group , including breathtaking showdown between protagonists and the enemies that stalk to them . The film blends violence , thrills , high body-count and it's fast moving and exciting . There is plenty of action in the movie , guaranteeing shootouts or stunts every few minutes , including a spectacular final confrontation . Although by many to be director Giorgio Capitani's finest film , this is a tale of fear , greed and murder , as four partners fall out over the gold they have clawed out of the inhospitable and bandit-ridden deserts and mountains . It also has probably the most brutal bar fight ever put on film along with Treasure of the Sierra Madre by John Huston . Overrated by some reviewers , but till interesting to watch . It above all things mostly also remains a real characters movie, in which the four main roles are the essentials. Their dynamic together is also great and is what mostly keeps this movie going. They are three totally different characters, which is the foremost reason why they work out so great together on film. Van Heflin is superbly believable and gives a nice portrait of an increasingly unhinged prospector , Gilbert Roland is very good as a cunning gunfighter and the strange couple formed by George Hilton and Klaus Kinski are pretty well . The musician Carlo Rustichelli composes a vibrant soundtrack and well conducted by Bruno Nicolai ; including a catching leitmotif and considered to be one of the best . Atmospheric scenario with barren outdoors , dirty landscapes under sunny exteriors and a glimmer sun and fine sets with striking cinematography by Sergio D'Offizi . The picture resulted to be shot entirely on location in Almeria , Spain , where in the 60s and 70s had been shot innumerable Ravioli/Paella Westerns .The motion picture was well directed by Giorgio Capitani . Giorgio is an expert on all of type of genres such as comedy : ¨Lobster for breakfast¨ (1982) , ¨I hate blondes¨ (1983) , ¨Sex Pot¨ (1975) , Musclemen tales : ¨Samson and his mighty challenge¨ or Western like this ¨Sam Cooper's gold¨ also titled ¨Each man for himself¨, Every man for himself¨ or ¨Each one for himself¨ . Rating : above average Spaghetti , superior Western that will appeal to aficionados .

I had been looking for a copy of this film for a long time and finally found one. I wasn't disappointed as it is a well-written and directed film.Van Heflin stars as a down and out prospector who finally strikes it rich. After surviving a double-cross attempt by a partner, he decides to look up an old friend to help him retrieve the remainder of his fortune. Through various situations the group expands to four - Heflin, George Hilton (his old friend), Klaus Kinski (who has a strange hold over Hilton) and Gilbert Roland (hired by Heflin as insurance against future double crosses), and the four then begin the trek to retrieve the gold. What happens along the way will hold your interest as there are some unusual plot twists.As for the performances, Heflin and Kinski are remarkable. Heflin looks like he sat in the hot desert sun for weeks to prepare for this role, and his craggy voice and features are perfectly suited for his character. As for Kinski, dressed mostly in black, he is evil incarnate, with his cold stare, flashing eyes and creepy voice. Roland is also excellent, as an old army buddy of Heflin's who suffers from malaria. Hilton is good, too, although his performance pales in comparison to the others.The direction is some areas is inventive, with good use of scenery, and the music score is impressively spare with only acoustic guitars for much of it.If you enjoy realistic Westerns that don't romanticize the Old West, this comes highly recommended.