i watched again, for the .. uh .. sixth time? a film which i grew up with -
A Reason To Live, A Reason To Die -
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069159/
in the original Italian ... so to speak. These spaghetti-western films were often shot with each actor speaking his own language, and then overdubbing the film. So whether you watch it in English, Italian, Spanish, etc, you'll still be watching a dub. Stars James Coburn and Bud Spencer, also starring Telly Savalas.
During the first war of secession, a group of criminals are due to be hanged for various crimes. On the gallows the execution is halted and they are offered the chance to complete a suicide mission, they will be freed: to recapture Fort Holman, an important resupply point that could turn the tide of the war. No explanation is given as to why this mission is left to a gang of criminals.
As they embark on their mission, the gang makes it clear that they will run away at the first chance, but their leader, disgraced US Colonel Pembroke, has a way to keep them in line - the promise of half a million dollars in gold, buried in the center of the fort.
It's important to understand that to us europeans, Spaghetti Westerns are straight westerns. As in, "serious" films. The fact that there's comedies in them doesn't change that we feel the same way for Good Bad Ugly as we feel for Trinity. Instead A Reason To Die is .. well, a straight western. Despite having Bud Spencer in it, there's no big brawls and superhuman strength, but rather guns, cowardice, treason, and madness.
It's an old film, the photography is some of the worst you will ever see, but it's a good story, told with care.
My vote:
7/10 - the rather interesting "dark side" of spaghetti westerns.