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Misfired

Steven Hellerstedt | 09/08/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"What a wretched, wretched movie is GOD'S GUN. A promising plot is ruined by inept direction, over-exposed film and an under-exposed Sybil Danning.
An otherwise competent cast is wasted and embarrassed in this one. Jack Palance, who plays the villain most effectively the less he talks acts like a hyperkinetic speed freak. Richard Boone, who usually earned half his salary with his voice and great, braying, sarcastic laugh, is dubbed by a voice actor! In fact, everyone in GOD'S GUN is dubbed by someone else, which is a mystery. The only explanation I can imagine is that the international cast were presenting such a polyglot of languages that the film makers decided to record the dialogue track after the film was in the can and the original actors were no longer available.
The only good thing in GOD'S GUN is the final scene showdown between Palance and Lee van Cleef. Unfortunately it's unlikely that a majority of viewers will stick around this stinker long enough to see it.
"

Gianfranco Parolini's God's Gun

Charles Tatum | 05/29/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Parolini, directing under the American-friendly name "Frank Kramer," comes up with a film that almost succeeds.Jack Palance and his gang take over a small town. Leif Garrett and priest Lee Van Cleef stand up to the gang, and Van Cleef is killed. Garrett rides off to find the priest's twin brother, a gunfighter, also played by Van Cleef. They ride back and defeat the baddies.The film makers give Van Cleef the world's most hideous wig in his scenes as the priest. He and Garrett seem to be competing in a contest for the film's most unappealing hairstyle. Palance, as the outlaw gang leader, must get on his knees every day and thank God "City Slickers" came along and rescued his career from messes like this. Sybil Danning, as Garrett's mother, is given little to do but stand around wide eyed, worry about her son, and flash her right breast in a rape scene to be discussed later. Richard Boone, desperately missing John Wayne and the chance to be in his films, plays the stereotypical drunken sheriff who cannot stop the outlaws.Garrett, who does not sing in this, heads to Mexico to find the gunfighting brother. It takes him just two days, since apparently Mexico is the size of a city block. Van Cleef as the gunfighter is more effective, especially in a clever plan to stop the outlaws by making them think the priest has come back from the dead. The gunfighter does this with the minimum use of guns, and it is entertaining.The bad news? Ennio Morricone should sue the composer here for ripping off "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"'s soundtrack. Every time Van Cleef is shown, you here that "aahh" sound that pops up all time in the superior Sergio Leone film. About an hour into this, the gang tries to rape the judge's daughters. They then go to the saloon and proceed to rape the women there. Then Danning tells Palance he is the father of Garrett, and we are treated to her flashback when Palance raped her years before. I do not know why the majority of modern westerns must feature rape, but this trio of scenes lasts a very long SIX minutes, and seems longer. They are ugly scenes that did not have to be done, and only pander to the lowest form of viewer who needs to have it hit over their head that these are villains, in case all the murders and robberies were confusing.Parolini finally starts doing some funky things involving his camera with about twenty minutes to go, but it is too late. The baddies are defeated, Garrett learns a big life lesson, and gunfighter Van Cleef rides home."God's Gun," also known as "A Bullet from God," had a lot going for it, but cannot overcome its own ugliness. I cannot recommend it.This is rated (R) for physical violence, gun violence, strong sexual violence, gore, some profanity, brief female nudity, brief male nudity, and sexual references."

Classic western story with a twist

Stratiotes Doxha Theon | Richmond, Missouri | 12/28/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The classic western story of revenge for an evil done long before. Best served cold as the old adage goes. Only in this one, the one shelling out revenge has a gimick that gives the movie its title; but I give away too much. Not a great film for acting but a couple of classic western actors almost pull this one above average on occasion. Spaghetti westerns need to be judged in their context, I think. This one is not one of the worst though it is certainly not one of the best either. The story is interesting with redeeming qualities - there I go again giving away too much."

Great Title, Great Actors, Bad Movie

Robert W. Grandcolas | Eatontown, NJ United States | 11/29/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"What potential - A great title "Gods Gun" - three of the best tough guys ever, all with very respectable careers - Lee Van Cleef, Jack Palance and Richard Boone. What is right? Jack Palance comes off OK. At times there are some clever script elements. That's it!

What's Wrong? What "Plan Nine From Outer Space" was to Bella Lagosi, "Gods Gun" might be to these three actors. "Gods Gun" rivals Terror In Tiny Town in ineptitude. The actors in this Israeli - no budget Western must have been very hungry. You watch this film and wonder - how did this happen to them?

Van Cleef (who must have had the worlds worst agent), had all but lost his menacing charm. At this time in his career you wonder if directors were purposely mocking him -having him wear embarrassing costumes, wigs and at times singing awful theme songs. He must have realized he wasn't getting paid for this abomination because he obviously didn't stick around to loop in his own voice. He is ludicrously dubbed to sound like "A Sons of Hercules" character.

Cheep sets, lame clichéd music, horrendously bad costumes, awful peripheral actors, stereotypes, and a bland and confused teen idle - Leif Garret.

The whole thing would be unintentionally funny if it were not for the sadness of seeing three quality actors trying desperately to make this thing work. At least you don't feel so bad about Palance who went on to some better things - some quality Hollywood films and push-ups during an Academy Award ceremony.

It is very disturbing watching Van Cleef, and Boone knowing that for the remainder of their lives they were hopelessly stuck in poverty row films like this one.

"Gods Gun" has a very high cringe factor for those of us who were once entertained by these guys. Others who don't care may be able to laugh at the film. I personally could not stand watching what seemed like three old reliable pals being degrading junk like this."