Death Rides a Horse

Death Rides a Horse


Starring:Lee Van Cleef, John Phillip Law, Mario Brega, Luigi Pistilli, Anthony Dawson, José Torres, Franco Balducci, Bruno Corazzari, Felicita Fanny, Ignazio Leone, Carlo Pisacane, Angelo Susani, Guglielmo Spoletini, Vivienne Bocca, Walter Giulangeli, Elena Hall, Mario Mandalari, Nazzareno Natale, Ennio Pagliani, Giovanni Petrucci
Director: Giulio Petroni
Studio: Allumination Filmwor
Product Type: DVD
Death Rides A Horse
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • Death Rides a Horse
  • Worst playing video I've seen to date.
  • Surprisingly good Spaghetti Western
  • Nice Film. As For the DVD...
  • a 4 star movie,but a no star transfer
Death Rides A Horse
Starring: Lee Van Cleef , John Phillip Law , Mario Brega , Luigi Pistilli , and Anthony Dawson
Director: Giulio Petroni
Manufacturer: Direct Source Label
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Italy | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
ClassicsClassics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
Spaghetti WesternSpaghetti Western | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
Lee Van CleefLee Van Cleef | Western Stars | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
Brega, MarioBrega, Mario | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Cleef, Lee VanCleef, Lee Van | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Dawson, AnthonyDawson, Anthony | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Law, John PhillipLaw, John Phillip | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Pistilli, LuigiPistilli, Luigi | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Petroni, GiulioPetroni, Giulio | ( P ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
4-for-3 Art House & International4-for-3 Art House & International | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
4-for-3 All DVDs4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ItalyItaly | European Cinema | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
WesternsWesterns | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
All DealsAll Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Kids & Family | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( D )( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. Ace High
  2. The Sabata Trilogy (Sabata / Adios, Sabata / Return of Sabata)
  3. Beyond the Law
  4. Django (2-Disc Limited Edition)
  5. God's Gun

ASIN: 630572282X
Release Date: 2000-01-10

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Death Rides a Horse.......2007-05-07

Unfortunately the disc was not playable. I had to just throw it away!!!
I recieved a copy through Netflix and all is well. The new disc I recieved from Amazon was badly scratched. You might want to check with your supplier who shipped you damaged goods. Thank You DJN

1 out of 5 stars Worst playing video I've seen to date........2007-03-09

This review is mainly to warn all of the poor video quality I experenced with the VHS tape by the studio: 'Diamond Entertainment'. The video started out playing so dark I had to set my TV's brightness controls up all the way just to see anything. It also had poor tracing and just overall poor film quality. The DVD version is probably a better bet. I've seen the movie before on 'Mean Guns 20 Movie Pack - DVD' and there the movie looked pretty good. The Movie itself was not bad when seen with a nice quality DVD or maybe another studio's video.

4 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good Spaghetti Western.......2007-02-04

I am no expert in the genre, but lets tick off the boxes here - Ennio Morricone score, morally dubious heroes, revenge driven story, nasty Mexican bandit baddies who laugh at anything remotely unpleasant, terrible dubbing -yep, must be a Spaghetti Western!
If you are a fan of Spaghetti Westerns, this is among the best, and if you have just been tempted by the Clint Eastwood / Sergio Leone, then I thoroughly recommend this as the next step (right after `My Name is Nobody', the next best thing to a Leone Western).
This is a fast moving revenge Western with an apparently simple plot filled out with memorable characters and situations, and a genually satisfying conclusion. Sure, it does not have the style or panache of Leone, and Morricone's score is not his best - but a less than perfect score from Morricone is still better than most others, and it is a memorable distinctive musical treat. The alternating themes of strumming guitar and choral voices bring his usual uniqueness to the movie, and the movie benefits greatly from it.
The story follows a young boy who witnesses the brutal rape and murder of his mother and sister, and murder of his father. He grows up as a respectable community member (John Phillip Law), but shuns responsibility while he harbours one thing in mind - revenge. This lies latent until he crosses paths with Ryan (Lee van Cleef), an ex con whose similar drive of revenge seems to coincide with Ryans goal. They form an uneasy alliance which teeters between help and competition to be the one who kills the bad guys.. mostly competing to make sure they get there first.
The movie is not fantastically shot, but not bad - the story is good, but quite epic - what redeems the movie above all else, is the fantastic turn by Lee van Cleef, who easily equals his work in Leone's Westerns here. This is the mode he was seemingly born to play, and he has immense screen presence, especially with all those close ups of his craggy but clear eyes.. Law on the other hand is a charisma free zone, and the movies weakest point - you can almost imagine how those shoes filled by a greater or even more interesting actor could have made this a classic - but Law walks through the role failing to convince - his only acting trait seems to be when his eyes go wide and his body goes rigid, and you know he has seen one of the bad guys! The rest of the cast are mainly bad guy ciphers, but you can spot a familiar face or two (Mario Brega - who appeared in every one of Leone's movies I am aware of..).
There are some great set pieces - not as epic as they might be, but inventive - the final shootout in the middle of a dust storm must have been a nightmare to shoot, but is very effective - best of all, the director does not linger too long, and gives the film a nice pace which make the movie a well balanced thoroughly enjoyable 1hour 50 minutes.
In short - no extras, but a cracking good film, with an excellent transfer (hardly a blemish on it). Lee van Cleef is on top form, and it's one of Spaghetti Westerns finest moments.

4 out of 5 stars Nice Film. As For the DVD..........2006-09-07

Death Rides a Horse is one that Spaghetti Western fans (and fans of Lee Van Cleef) would thoroughly enjoy. The FILM is most watchable (read below about the DVD), and Van Cleef is at his best in this one, playing a thug who is betrayed by his compadres. We usually see him playing the ultimate bad guy in most of his films, with his knife-deep stare filling the screen. At times, though, Van Cleef exposes his compassionate side for just a tease, and then just as quickly masks his inner humanity behind The Stare, as he plays Ryan, who arm-wrestles throughout the movie with stubborn youngster Bill, played by John Phillip Law, who has foresaken his lady and his life by embracing only revenge - and a single spur - after watching his father murdered, and then bearing witness to his mother and older sister brutalized at the hands of an out-of-control gang, greedy for gold.

The matchup between Ryan and Bill is one that plays itself out quite well, as Ryan acts as surrogate father, dishing out advice through some memorable quotes, teaching young Bill with his words and actions. Bill's anger is worn heavily on his sleeve, while Ryan steadily and calmly works out his own dishes of revenge, suppressing his anger even better than his empathy for Bill, which he touches on even as the pair first meet. Phillip Law was okay, but not thoroughly convincing as a bitter young man who witnessed his family's killing. Every once in a while, he might could have done just another take or two.

I wouldn't want to go deeper into reviewing the movie, except that there's a nice plot twist somewhere inside the film. Many of the actors seen in this 1968 film have been in films by the great Sergio Leone. It seems that there was a core of actors who performed in a number of Italian Westerns, and for good reason: the chemistry was there. Add a good dose of Ennio Morricone film scores, and you have the potential for a quite watchable film. Most spaghettis would crumble if not for Morricone music, which acts as an unseen, yet incredibly talented main character.

Once in a while, the dialog (like Bill's hokie delivery: "I'll find out who he is. If he is who I think he is...get ready to get mad") detracts from the pace of Death Rides a Horse (that line makes me want to Kill Bill, myself), but the overall storyline works well enough to entertain Spaghetti Western fans. There are very few plot holes to discover in the film, which has an air of dread or darkness throughout much of its length. A lighter moment always seems to pop in just when the viewer might like to come up for air (like the old man who offers Bill a kiss).

For those concerned about bad or unbelievable endings, Death Rides delivers without disappointment.

Now, for the DVD: Sadly, there seems to be no region 1 release that does this nice yet overlooked film, justice. Mine, which is a 2-4-1 DVD with "God's Gun" on the same side, and "Quality" as the title logo, is horribly lacking in anything but bad quality, perhaps one of the worst DVD productions I have EVER seen. The letterboxed picture is cropped to pan/scan, and there is not one frame that has any kind of decent image quality with respect to color, tone, or saturation. Its terribly washed out and either too contrasty and bright, or muddy and dark, without any texture. And in some scenes, the image degrades to a pixelated mess, which you'll see in the opening scene, and it returns of and on throughout the presentation. The only reason I watch it again and again is to enjoy the Morricone tracks and view an entertaining film. MGM has released a PAL-Region 2 DVD, which was well-received. It has the original letterbox (2.35:1) and infinitely better video quality. Check amazon.uk as I will, and once I get it, I'll burn my copy.

1 out of 5 stars a 4 star movie,but a no star transfer.......2006-04-20

i have always liked this movie and i think lee van cleef was a very underated actor so i couldn't wait to watch this one again.
i know for this cheep a price that i shouldn't think i'm going to get a great copy but come on,no widescreen,washed out color audio that pops and sometimes drops out completely,and so dark in some scenes that you can't see anything at all!
don't waste your money on this badly transfered disc,find a better copy
Gunslingers (Boot Hill / God's Gun / Death Rides A Horse / Beyond the Law)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Good Classic but no high quality video
  • these are also on the 10 packs this company offers
  • Worth Every Penny
Gunslingers (Boot Hill / God's Gun / Death Rides A Horse / Beyond the Law)
Starring: Various
Manufacturer: Brentwood Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
Chesebro, GeorgeChesebro, George | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Howes, ReedHowes, Reed | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
McCarroll, FrankMcCarroll, Frank | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Moore, DennisMoore, Dennis | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Fox, WallaceFox, Wallace | ( F ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
4-for-3 All DVDs4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
All DealsAll Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( G )( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. Legends of the West (4pc)
  2. The War Wagon

ASIN: B000068TOV
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Good Classic but no high quality video.......2007-02-24

Look like tape-ripped and the dvd don't have atractive features like niced-menu, subtitles or languajes options. The dvd media is genuine, but poor technical work.

4 out of 5 stars these are also on the 10 packs this company offers.......2006-04-30

these 4 movies are on the 10 pack collections bcieclipse offers ,but if you can't aford the $20.00 you can get these 4 packs which are very nice and are very well priced.

5 out of 5 stars Worth Every Penny.......2005-10-21

Excellent; Lee Van Cleef was great to watch (as always). If you haven't seen these great westerns I recommend u do so. If you're like me, you buy it for the fact that it's a collector's item and speaks for itself. Enjoy
Western Classics 4 pack - Kid Vengeance, Rage at Dawn, Death Rides a Horse, Riders of Destiny
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Western Classics 4 pack - Kid Vengeance, Rage at Dawn, Death Rides a Horse, Riders of Destiny
    Starring: Western Classics 4 Movie Pak
    Manufacturer: Digital 1 Stop
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

    GeneralGeneral | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
    GeneralGeneral | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
    DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
    ( W )( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
    Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
    Action & AdventureAction & Adventure | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video
    4-for-3 Action & Adventure4-for-3 Action & Adventure | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
    4-for-3 All DVDs4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
    Independently DistributedIndependently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video
    Similar Items:
    1. Western Classics 4-Movie Pack - McLintock, Blue Steel, Sagebrush Trail, Santa Fe Trail
    2. Western Classics 4-Movie Pack - China 9, Liberty 37, Gone with the West, Outlaw, Arizona Stagecoach
    3. Western Classics 4 Pack - My Pal Trigger, Cowboy and the Senorita, Bells of San Angelo, Under California Stars

    ASIN: B000F9SUQM
    Release Date: 2006-04-18
    Death Rides the Range
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Death Rides the Range
      Starring: Richard Alexander , Sven Hugo Borg , William Costello , Murdock MacQuarrie , and Julian Madison
      Director: Sam Newfield
      Manufacturer: Alpha Video
      ProductGroup: DVD
      Binding: DVD

      GeneralGeneral | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
      ClassicsClassics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
      Sam ElliottSam Elliott | Western Stars | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
      EspionageEspionage | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
      King, CharlesKing, Charles | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
      Maynard, KenMaynard, Ken | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
      Peters, RalphPeters, Ralph | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
      Rivero, JulianRivero, Julian | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
      West, WallyWest, Wally | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
      Newfield, SamNewfield, Sam | ( N ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
      Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
      4-for-3 Action & Adventure4-for-3 Action & Adventure | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
      4-for-3 All DVDs4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
      DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
      ( D )( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
      Similar Items:
      1. The Two Gun Man
      2. Whistlin' Dan
      3. Honor of the Range
      4. Hell-Fire Austin/Texas Gun Fighter
      5. Phantom Thunderbolt

      ASIN: B000E8N97O
      Release Date: 2006-03-28
      Death Rides a Horse
      Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
      • Death Rides a Horse
      • Worst playing video I've seen to date.
      • Surprisingly good Spaghetti Western
      • Nice Film. As For the DVD...
      • a 4 star movie,but a no star transfer
      Death Rides a Horse
      Starring: Lee Van Cleef , John Phillip Law , Mario Brega , Luigi Pistilli , and Anthony Dawson
      Director: Giulio Petroni
      Manufacturer: United American Video
      ProductGroup: DVD
      Binding: DVD

      GeneralGeneral | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
      ClassicsClassics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
      Lee Van CleefLee Van Cleef | Western Stars | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
      Brega, MarioBrega, Mario | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
      Cleef, Lee VanCleef, Lee Van | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
      Dawson, AnthonyDawson, Anthony | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
      Law, John PhillipLaw, John Phillip | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
      Pistilli, LuigiPistilli, Luigi | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
      Petroni, GiulioPetroni, Giulio | ( P ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
      Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
      4-for-3 All DVDs4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
      DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
      All DealsAll Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
      ( D )( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
      Similar Items:
      1. Ace High
      2. The Sabata Trilogy (Sabata / Adios, Sabata / Return of Sabata)
      3. Beyond the Law
      4. Django (2-Disc Limited Edition)
      5. God's Gun

      ASIN: B00005R26P
      Release Date: 2005-08-01

      Customer Reviews:

      1 out of 5 stars Death Rides a Horse.......2007-05-07

      Unfortunately the disc was not playable. I had to just throw it away!!!
      I recieved a copy through Netflix and all is well. The new disc I recieved from Amazon was badly scratched. You might want to check with your supplier who shipped you damaged goods. Thank You DJN

      1 out of 5 stars Worst playing video I've seen to date........2007-03-09

      This review is mainly to warn all of the poor video quality I experenced with the VHS tape by the studio: 'Diamond Entertainment'. The video started out playing so dark I had to set my TV's brightness controls up all the way just to see anything. It also had poor tracing and just overall poor film quality. The DVD version is probably a better bet. I've seen the movie before on 'Mean Guns 20 Movie Pack - DVD' and there the movie looked pretty good. The Movie itself was not bad when seen with a nice quality DVD or maybe another studio's video.

      4 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good Spaghetti Western.......2007-02-04

      I am no expert in the genre, but lets tick off the boxes here - Ennio Morricone score, morally dubious heroes, revenge driven story, nasty Mexican bandit baddies who laugh at anything remotely unpleasant, terrible dubbing -yep, must be a Spaghetti Western!
      If you are a fan of Spaghetti Westerns, this is among the best, and if you have just been tempted by the Clint Eastwood / Sergio Leone, then I thoroughly recommend this as the next step (right after `My Name is Nobody', the next best thing to a Leone Western).
      This is a fast moving revenge Western with an apparently simple plot filled out with memorable characters and situations, and a genually satisfying conclusion. Sure, it does not have the style or panache of Leone, and Morricone's score is not his best - but a less than perfect score from Morricone is still better than most others, and it is a memorable distinctive musical treat. The alternating themes of strumming guitar and choral voices bring his usual uniqueness to the movie, and the movie benefits greatly from it.
      The story follows a young boy who witnesses the brutal rape and murder of his mother and sister, and murder of his father. He grows up as a respectable community member (John Phillip Law), but shuns responsibility while he harbours one thing in mind - revenge. This lies latent until he crosses paths with Ryan (Lee van Cleef), an ex con whose similar drive of revenge seems to coincide with Ryans goal. They form an uneasy alliance which teeters between help and competition to be the one who kills the bad guys.. mostly competing to make sure they get there first.
      The movie is not fantastically shot, but not bad - the story is good, but quite epic - what redeems the movie above all else, is the fantastic turn by Lee van Cleef, who easily equals his work in Leone's Westerns here. This is the mode he was seemingly born to play, and he has immense screen presence, especially with all those close ups of his craggy but clear eyes.. Law on the other hand is a charisma free zone, and the movies weakest point - you can almost imagine how those shoes filled by a greater or even more interesting actor could have made this a classic - but Law walks through the role failing to convince - his only acting trait seems to be when his eyes go wide and his body goes rigid, and you know he has seen one of the bad guys! The rest of the cast are mainly bad guy ciphers, but you can spot a familiar face or two (Mario Brega - who appeared in every one of Leone's movies I am aware of..).
      There are some great set pieces - not as epic as they might be, but inventive - the final shootout in the middle of a dust storm must have been a nightmare to shoot, but is very effective - best of all, the director does not linger too long, and gives the film a nice pace which make the movie a well balanced thoroughly enjoyable 1hour 50 minutes.
      In short - no extras, but a cracking good film, with an excellent transfer (hardly a blemish on it). Lee van Cleef is on top form, and it's one of Spaghetti Westerns finest moments.

      4 out of 5 stars Nice Film. As For the DVD..........2006-09-07

      Death Rides a Horse is one that Spaghetti Western fans (and fans of Lee Van Cleef) would thoroughly enjoy. The FILM is most watchable (read below about the DVD), and Van Cleef is at his best in this one, playing a thug who is betrayed by his compadres. We usually see him playing the ultimate bad guy in most of his films, with his knife-deep stare filling the screen. At times, though, Van Cleef exposes his compassionate side for just a tease, and then just as quickly masks his inner humanity behind The Stare, as he plays Ryan, who arm-wrestles throughout the movie with stubborn youngster Bill, played by John Phillip Law, who has foresaken his lady and his life by embracing only revenge - and a single spur - after watching his father murdered, and then bearing witness to his mother and older sister brutalized at the hands of an out-of-control gang, greedy for gold.

      The matchup between Ryan and Bill is one that plays itself out quite well, as Ryan acts as surrogate father, dishing out advice through some memorable quotes, teaching young Bill with his words and actions. Bill's anger is worn heavily on his sleeve, while Ryan steadily and calmly works out his own dishes of revenge, suppressing his anger even better than his empathy for Bill, which he touches on even as the pair first meet. Phillip Law was okay, but not thoroughly convincing as a bitter young man who witnessed his family's killing. Every once in a while, he might could have done just another take or two.

      I wouldn't want to go deeper into reviewing the movie, except that there's a nice plot twist somewhere inside the film. Many of the actors seen in this 1968 film have been in films by the great Sergio Leone. It seems that there was a core of actors who performed in a number of Italian Westerns, and for good reason: the chemistry was there. Add a good dose of Ennio Morricone film scores, and you have the potential for a quite watchable film. Most spaghettis would crumble if not for Morricone music, which acts as an unseen, yet incredibly talented main character.

      Once in a while, the dialog (like Bill's hokie delivery: "I'll find out who he is. If he is who I think he is...get ready to get mad") detracts from the pace of Death Rides a Horse (that line makes me want to Kill Bill, myself), but the overall storyline works well enough to entertain Spaghetti Western fans. There are very few plot holes to discover in the film, which has an air of dread or darkness throughout much of its length. A lighter moment always seems to pop in just when the viewer might like to come up for air (like the old man who offers Bill a kiss).

      For those concerned about bad or unbelievable endings, Death Rides delivers without disappointment.

      Now, for the DVD: Sadly, there seems to be no region 1 release that does this nice yet overlooked film, justice. Mine, which is a 2-4-1 DVD with "God's Gun" on the same side, and "Quality" as the title logo, is horribly lacking in anything but bad quality, perhaps one of the worst DVD productions I have EVER seen. The letterboxed picture is cropped to pan/scan, and there is not one frame that has any kind of decent image quality with respect to color, tone, or saturation. Its terribly washed out and either too contrasty and bright, or muddy and dark, without any texture. And in some scenes, the image degrades to a pixelated mess, which you'll see in the opening scene, and it returns of and on throughout the presentation. The only reason I watch it again and again is to enjoy the Morricone tracks and view an entertaining film. MGM has released a PAL-Region 2 DVD, which was well-received. It has the original letterbox (2.35:1) and infinitely better video quality. Check amazon.uk as I will, and once I get it, I'll burn my copy.

      1 out of 5 stars a 4 star movie,but a no star transfer.......2006-04-20

      i have always liked this movie and i think lee van cleef was a very underated actor so i couldn't wait to watch this one again.
      i know for this cheep a price that i shouldn't think i'm going to get a great copy but come on,no widescreen,washed out color audio that pops and sometimes drops out completely,and so dark in some scenes that you can't see anything at all!
      don't waste your money on this badly transfered disc,find a better copy
      Beyond the Law/Death Rides a Horse
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Beyond the Law/Death Rides a Horse
        Starring: Lee Van Cleef
        Manufacturer: Direct Source Label
        ProductGroup: DVD
        Binding: DVD

        GeneralGeneral | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
        Lee Van CleefLee Van Cleef | Western Stars | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
        DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
        All DealsAll Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
        ( B )( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
        Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
        4-for-3 All DVDs4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
        Similar Items:
        1. Bad Man's River

        ASIN: B00008G7J7
        Release Date: 2002-01-01
        Big Boy Rides Again
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Big Boy Rides Again
          Starring: Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams , Constance Bergen , Charles K. French , Lafe McKee , and Victor Potel
          Director: Albert Herman
          Manufacturer: Alpha Video
          ProductGroup: DVD
          Binding: DVD

          GeneralGeneral | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
          GeneralGeneral | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
          ClassicsClassics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
          GeneralGeneral | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video
          Gould, WilliamGould, William | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
          McKee, LafeMcKee, Lafe | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
          Potel, VictorPotel, Victor | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
          Whitaker, SlimWhitaker, Slim | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
          Williams, Guinn Big BoyWilliams, Guinn Big Boy | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
          Herman, AlHerman, Al | ( H ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
          Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
          Action & AdventureAction & Adventure | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video
          4-for-3 Action & Adventure4-for-3 Action & Adventure | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
          4-for-3 All DVDs4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
          Independently DistributedIndependently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video
          DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
          ( B )( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
          Similar Items:
          1. Trail Riders/Rock River Renegades
          2. Death Rides the Plains
          3. Panamint's Bad Man/Western Gold
          4. Rough Riders Triple Feature 2 (B&W)
          5. Straight Shooter (1939) / Trigger Fingers (1939)

          ASIN: B0007OP1JO
          Release Date: 2005-03-29
          Death Rides A Horse
          Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
          • Death Rides a Horse
          • Worst playing video I've seen to date.
          • Surprisingly good Spaghetti Western
          • Nice Film. As For the DVD...
          • a 4 star movie,but a no star transfer
          Death Rides A Horse
          Starring: Lee Van Cleef , John Phillip Law , Mario Brega , Luigi Pistilli , and Anthony Dawson
          Director: Giulio Petroni
          Manufacturer: Passion Productions
          ProductGroup: DVD
          Binding: DVD

          GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
          GeneralGeneral | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video
          DramaDrama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video
          GeneralGeneral | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
          ClassicsClassics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
          Spaghetti WesternSpaghetti Western | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
          Lee Van CleefLee Van Cleef | Western Stars | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
          GeneralGeneral | Italy | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
          Brega, MarioBrega, Mario | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
          Cleef, Lee VanCleef, Lee Van | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
          Dawson, AnthonyDawson, Anthony | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
          Law, John PhillipLaw, John Phillip | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
          Pistilli, LuigiPistilli, Luigi | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
          Petroni, GiulioPetroni, Giulio | ( P ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
          Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
          4-for-3 Art House & International4-for-3 Art House & International | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
          4-for-3 Drama4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
          4-for-3 All DVDs4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
          ItalyItaly | European Cinema | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
          WesternsWesterns | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
          ( D )( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
          Similar Items:
          1. Ace High
          2. The Sabata Trilogy (Sabata / Adios, Sabata / Return of Sabata)
          3. Beyond the Law
          4. Django (2-Disc Limited Edition)
          5. God's Gun

          ASIN: B0000VLLE8
          Release Date: 2001-01-01

          Customer Reviews:

          1 out of 5 stars Death Rides a Horse.......2007-05-07

          Unfortunately the disc was not playable. I had to just throw it away!!!
          I recieved a copy through Netflix and all is well. The new disc I recieved from Amazon was badly scratched. You might want to check with your supplier who shipped you damaged goods. Thank You DJN

          1 out of 5 stars Worst playing video I've seen to date........2007-03-09

          This review is mainly to warn all of the poor video quality I experenced with the VHS tape by the studio: 'Diamond Entertainment'. The video started out playing so dark I had to set my TV's brightness controls up all the way just to see anything. It also had poor tracing and just overall poor film quality. The DVD version is probably a better bet. I've seen the movie before on 'Mean Guns 20 Movie Pack - DVD' and there the movie looked pretty good. The Movie itself was not bad when seen with a nice quality DVD or maybe another studio's video.

          4 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good Spaghetti Western.......2007-02-04

          I am no expert in the genre, but lets tick off the boxes here - Ennio Morricone score, morally dubious heroes, revenge driven story, nasty Mexican bandit baddies who laugh at anything remotely unpleasant, terrible dubbing -yep, must be a Spaghetti Western!
          If you are a fan of Spaghetti Westerns, this is among the best, and if you have just been tempted by the Clint Eastwood / Sergio Leone, then I thoroughly recommend this as the next step (right after `My Name is Nobody', the next best thing to a Leone Western).
          This is a fast moving revenge Western with an apparently simple plot filled out with memorable characters and situations, and a genually satisfying conclusion. Sure, it does not have the style or panache of Leone, and Morricone's score is not his best - but a less than perfect score from Morricone is still better than most others, and it is a memorable distinctive musical treat. The alternating themes of strumming guitar and choral voices bring his usual uniqueness to the movie, and the movie benefits greatly from it.
          The story follows a young boy who witnesses the brutal rape and murder of his mother and sister, and murder of his father. He grows up as a respectable community member (John Phillip Law), but shuns responsibility while he harbours one thing in mind - revenge. This lies latent until he crosses paths with Ryan (Lee van Cleef), an ex con whose similar drive of revenge seems to coincide with Ryans goal. They form an uneasy alliance which teeters between help and competition to be the one who kills the bad guys.. mostly competing to make sure they get there first.
          The movie is not fantastically shot, but not bad - the story is good, but quite epic - what redeems the movie above all else, is the fantastic turn by Lee van Cleef, who easily equals his work in Leone's Westerns here. This is the mode he was seemingly born to play, and he has immense screen presence, especially with all those close ups of his craggy but clear eyes.. Law on the other hand is a charisma free zone, and the movies weakest point - you can almost imagine how those shoes filled by a greater or even more interesting actor could have made this a classic - but Law walks through the role failing to convince - his only acting trait seems to be when his eyes go wide and his body goes rigid, and you know he has seen one of the bad guys! The rest of the cast are mainly bad guy ciphers, but you can spot a familiar face or two (Mario Brega - who appeared in every one of Leone's movies I am aware of..).
          There are some great set pieces - not as epic as they might be, but inventive - the final shootout in the middle of a dust storm must have been a nightmare to shoot, but is very effective - best of all, the director does not linger too long, and gives the film a nice pace which make the movie a well balanced thoroughly enjoyable 1hour 50 minutes.
          In short - no extras, but a cracking good film, with an excellent transfer (hardly a blemish on it). Lee van Cleef is on top form, and it's one of Spaghetti Westerns finest moments.

          4 out of 5 stars Nice Film. As For the DVD..........2006-09-07

          Death Rides a Horse is one that Spaghetti Western fans (and fans of Lee Van Cleef) would thoroughly enjoy. The FILM is most watchable (read below about the DVD), and Van Cleef is at his best in this one, playing a thug who is betrayed by his compadres. We usually see him playing the ultimate bad guy in most of his films, with his knife-deep stare filling the screen. At times, though, Van Cleef exposes his compassionate side for just a tease, and then just as quickly masks his inner humanity behind The Stare, as he plays Ryan, who arm-wrestles throughout the movie with stubborn youngster Bill, played by John Phillip Law, who has foresaken his lady and his life by embracing only revenge - and a single spur - after watching his father murdered, and then bearing witness to his mother and older sister brutalized at the hands of an out-of-control gang, greedy for gold.

          The matchup between Ryan and Bill is one that plays itself out quite well, as Ryan acts as surrogate father, dishing out advice through some memorable quotes, teaching young Bill with his words and actions. Bill's anger is worn heavily on his sleeve, while Ryan steadily and calmly works out his own dishes of revenge, suppressing his anger even better than his empathy for Bill, which he touches on even as the pair first meet. Phillip Law was okay, but not thoroughly convincing as a bitter young man who witnessed his family's killing. Every once in a while, he might could have done just another take or two.

          I wouldn't want to go deeper into reviewing the movie, except that there's a nice plot twist somewhere inside the film. Many of the actors seen in this 1968 film have been in films by the great Sergio Leone. It seems that there was a core of actors who performed in a number of Italian Westerns, and for good reason: the chemistry was there. Add a good dose of Ennio Morricone film scores, and you have the potential for a quite watchable film. Most spaghettis would crumble if not for Morricone music, which acts as an unseen, yet incredibly talented main character.

          Once in a while, the dialog (like Bill's hokie delivery: "I'll find out who he is. If he is who I think he is...get ready to get mad") detracts from the pace of Death Rides a Horse (that line makes me want to Kill Bill, myself), but the overall storyline works well enough to entertain Spaghetti Western fans. There are very few plot holes to discover in the film, which has an air of dread or darkness throughout much of its length. A lighter moment always seems to pop in just when the viewer might like to come up for air (like the old man who offers Bill a kiss).

          For those concerned about bad or unbelievable endings, Death Rides delivers without disappointment.

          Now, for the DVD: Sadly, there seems to be no region 1 release that does this nice yet overlooked film, justice. Mine, which is a 2-4-1 DVD with "God's Gun" on the same side, and "Quality" as the title logo, is horribly lacking in anything but bad quality, perhaps one of the worst DVD productions I have EVER seen. The letterboxed picture is cropped to pan/scan, and there is not one frame that has any kind of decent image quality with respect to color, tone, or saturation. Its terribly washed out and either too contrasty and bright, or muddy and dark, without any texture. And in some scenes, the image degrades to a pixelated mess, which you'll see in the opening scene, and it returns of and on throughout the presentation. The only reason I watch it again and again is to enjoy the Morricone tracks and view an entertaining film. MGM has released a PAL-Region 2 DVD, which was well-received. It has the original letterbox (2.35:1) and infinitely better video quality. Check amazon.uk as I will, and once I get it, I'll burn my copy.

          1 out of 5 stars a 4 star movie,but a no star transfer.......2006-04-20

          i have always liked this movie and i think lee van cleef was a very underated actor so i couldn't wait to watch this one again.
          i know for this cheep a price that i shouldn't think i'm going to get a great copy but come on,no widescreen,washed out color audio that pops and sometimes drops out completely,and so dark in some scenes that you can't see anything at all!
          don't waste your money on this badly transfered disc,find a better copy
          God's Gun / Death Rides A Horse
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            God's Gun / Death Rides A Horse
            Starring: Lee Van Cleef; Jack Palance; John Philip Law
            Director: Multi
            Manufacturer: Passion Productions
            ProductGroup: DVD
            Binding: DVD

            GeneralGeneral | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
            Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
            ASIN: B0002OR0CU
            Release Date: 2004-04-04

            Product Description

            Double Feature: 2 Movies For The Price of 1
            Death Rides a Horse
            Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
            • The Spaghetti Strikes Back
            • "You defend yourself almost too well, mister."
            Death Rides a Horse

            Manufacturer: Digiview
            ProductGroup: DVD
            Binding: DVD

            GeneralGeneral | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video
            DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
            Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
            ASIN: B0007WPJF2

            Product Description

            As a child, Bill witnesses the murder of his family by four robbers. Fifteen years later, he embarks on his revenge. During his quest, he crosses paths with Ryan, an ex-con who wants the money the robbers owe him.

            Customer Reviews:

            4 out of 5 stars The Spaghetti Strikes Back.......2006-01-06

            For $3.43, I didn't expect I'd receive the best movie in the world. However, I was a little suprised and amused by the generic DVD case and title page. In the beginning of Death Rides a Horse, it opens up with a cheesy lightning scene and off centered credits, which doesn't make it a horrible movie. The sound isn't as horrible as I though it would be. I'm used to watching foreign Kung-Fu films so I wasn't dissapointed to the slight off beat mouthing of words. The picture didn't really look bad either, just as bad as most old movies would look. The only thing I was disapointed with was the scratchy background music. If the music came in full force, this may have been the perfect Spaghetti Western. Other than that, a perfect revenge flick.

            4 out of 5 stars "You defend yourself almost too well, mister.".......2005-09-11

            I'm not the world's biggest connoisseur of spaghetti westerns, but I'm really surprised that I'd never heard of this film before I found it in the local bargain bin. The title, DEATH RIDES A HORSE, automatically catapults it somewhere near the top of best-named westerns (the original Italian title is DA UOMO A UOMO, which Altavista's Babelfish translates as the singularly uninteresting "From Man To Man").

            The film stars Lee Van Cleef ("the bad" in THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY) and John Phillip Law (known to Mystery Science Theater 3000 fans for his roles of Kalgan in SPACE MUTINY and of Diabolik in the film of the same name). As a child, Law's character witnesses a gang shooting his father, and raping and killing his mother and sister. During the attack, the child notices a distinct feature on each member of the gang.

            Flash forward fifteen years, and Law is an angry young man who has trained himself to be the finest marksman in the West. But his inexperience is his weakness as he begins a journey of revenge against the evil men who took his family from him. (Luckily for him, his targets haven't thought to remove the distinguishing pieces of jewelry and clothing in the intervening decade and a half.)

            Cleef has just finished serving a fifteen year term of hard labor and he has his own score to settle with the same gang who killed Law's family. The two protagonists -- while potential allies -- find themselves at odds when their methods of revenge don't exactly turn out to be compatible. Their conflict is what drives the film, as well as providing some of the (very) few laughs.

            The acting is what one can usually expect from Spaghetti Westerns - everything from professional actors right on down to people one assumes were random folks who showed up at the film location with their own rags. Lee Van Cleef, I had only before seen in the two "Man With No Name" movies, but he's as collected, smooth, tough and just plain cool here as he was in those. John Phillip Law is fairly wooden (no surprise there), but his style fits the character he's playing.

            Behind the scenes, there are a fistful of connections to the well-known Clint Eastwood and Sergio Leone trilogy. Writer Luciano Vincenzoni had co-written FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE and THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY. Composer Ennio Morricone, who composed for THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY, contributes the score. For my money it's just as good as what he wrote for that better known film. (As an aside, I've read on the Internet Movie Database that Quentin Tarantino used part of this music in his KILL BILL.)

            In the past I've poked fun at the hilarious typographical errors present on the Digiview Productions DVD boxes. I've tried to refrain of late, partially because my own typing skills are nothing to write home about, but mostly because it's like shooting fish in a barrel. But I must make note of the phrase written across the bottom of the front cover. The tag line states, "The Lenghts (sic) One Man Will Go to Take His Rewenge (sic)". Rewenge? Who's their copy-editor - Peter Cook's character in THE PRINCESS BRIDE? ("Rewenge! Rewenge is what bwings us togewah today!")

            The sound quality is abysmal. Since the movie was dubbed into English, I'm assuming that the original soundtrack wasn't very clear either, but the version on this DVD seems particularly poor. It's extremely muffled, making the dialog difficult to discern. At times you'll wonder whether the sound is coming out of the TV in front of you, or your next-door neighbor's speakers.

            The picture quality is acceptable, although not what anyone could realistically describe as good. The worst problem is that the film is presented in full-screen and it was obviously shot with wide-screen in mind. There are a number of scenes where it's obvious that the audience is missing something because of the inferior aspect ratio.

            DEATH has everything that a good western needs. It's got action, revenge, and treachery. The script is peppered with delightfully tough and macho one-liners. It's as stylish as any spaghetti western I've ever seen. The plot moves very quickly and in sometimes surprising directions (although if you don't spot the final twist before it happens, then you were clearly not paying attention). If you're a newbie who wants to try a spaghetti western, then this is a perfect one to start with. And, thanks to its budget DVD release, you can get it for about a buck or so. Though, I should point out that this is a detriment, really, since it means that no studio will bother putting out a cleaned-up (and wide-screen!) version. Which is what this film richly deserves.

            DVD:

            1. Spoilers of the Plains
            2. Chisum/Cahill: United States Marshal
            3. Hopalong Cassidy - Cassidy of Bar 20 / Partners of the Plains
            4. Vengeance Valley & Rage at Dawn (2pc)
            5. Young Buffalo Bill
            6. Beyond the Law
            7. Savage Land
            8. Black Fox: Good Men and Bad
            9. Boot Hill Bandits
            10. Terror in a Texas Town

            DVD

            DVD

            DVD

            Shades of Soul:Best of Comedy

            Zorro's Fighting Legion : DVD

            Dragnet [2 Discs] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

            DVD: Legend of the Seven Samurai/Sh

            John Denver - Wildlife Concert