THE RETURN OF RINGO

Italy, 1967, 98 minutes, Colour.
Giuliano Gemma, George Martin.
Directed by Duccio Tessari.

The Return of Ringo is one of many dozens of spaghetti westerns of the 1960s. Sergio Leone paved the way with his Dollars films and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Many Italian directors followed including Tussari who made several of these westerns as well as the war film, Heroes, with Rod Steiger.

Giuliano Gemma was also a leading man of the period and a strong Ringo. The film is set after the civil war, Ringo returns and finds that the Mexicans have taken over his property because of finding gold in the nearby river. His wife is about to be married to the son of the Mexican owner. Ringo disguises himself as the assistant to the florist in the town, gradually sets up a situation whereby he can confront the Mexicans. Much of the photography is iconic in the sense that the central characters, stances, situations are all symbolic as well as realistic.

1.The popularity of spaghetti westerns in the 1960s? This film as an early spaghetti western? Its style? The images, the landscapes, the iconic poses and postures? The action?

2.Giuliano Gemma, Montgomery Wood as his American name, his role as a star in Italian films? The imitation of the American styles?

3.The Spanish location photography, the Mexican- American border? The towns, the ranches? Ennio Morricone’s score? The melodies and themes?

4.The pattern of the spaghetti western with the end of the civil war, the returning soldiers, the landowners and ranchers, wives and widows? The tensions?

5.The character of Ringo, his stature, screen presence? As soldier – and as later hero? The contrast when he was working as a menial in the town, with the florist? His experience of war? The absence for many years? Leaving his wife and child at home? His return?

6.His disguise, coming into the town, the change in the town, the people in the saloon, the Fuentes family and taking over the ranch? His memories? Not working?

7.Miosotis, his manner, voice, working as a florist, supplying the funerals? Ringo being assigned as his help? Ringo not wanting to be Ringo, satisfied in the town? Upset at the Fuentes family, the behaviour in the town, the saloons?

8.Seeing his son, seeing his wife? His change of attitude? The Fuentes father and son? The son and his planning to marry Hally? The preparations for the wedding? The church? The ceremony?

9.His change of plan, contacting his wife, the attack? The Fuentes family, the confrontations, the attack on the ranch, the explosions? The stunt work?

10.The Fuentes family, the arrogance of the father, the gold? The Mexican background? The men? The saloon dancer, her relationship with the Fuentes father? Turning against him? The son and his callous attitudes? The family celebration, Ringo and his presence, the shooting?

11.The build-up to the resolution? By a battle, confrontation between good and evil?