Navajo Joe
Plot
Navajo Joe is a 1972 Italian Western film directed by Giuliano Montaldo. The movie follows the story of Navajo Joe, played by Franco Nero, a lone cowboy who is the sole survivor of a brutal massacre that wipes out his entire tribe. As he rides into town, Navajo Joe seeks revenge against those responsible for the slaughter, but his quest for justice is also driven by his desire to exact vengeance on the men who killed his wife. Along the way, he encounters a beautiful Native American woman named Apache (Susan Connors), who joins him on his mission. As Navajo Joe navigates the treacherous landscape of revenge and retribution, he must confront his own demons and face the harsh realities of violence and betrayal. The film's title character is a symbol of the resilience and determination of the Native American people in the face of oppression and exploitation. Navajo Joe features stunning cinematography and a haunting score that captures the gritty, desolate beauty of the American Southwest. Franco Nero delivers a powerful performance as the titular character, bringing depth and nuance to a complex and troubled hero. Throughout the film, Navajo Joe is stalked by the ruthless and cunning Apache renegade, known only as "The Apache" (Lorenzo Robledo), who is driven by his own twisted sense of justice. The two enemies engage in a series of intense showdowns, each with its own unique set of stakes and consequences. Ultimately, Navajo Joe's quest for revenge becomes a metaphor for the struggles of the Native American people against the backdrop of colonialism and oppression. As he faces off against his enemies, Navajo Joe embodies the spirit of resistance and defiance that has come to define the Native American experience. Navajo Joe is a gripping and intense Western that explores themes of violence, revenge, and redemption. With its striking visuals and powerful performances, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of the Western genre.
Reviews
Alan
Spaghetti Westerns, by their very nature, deconstruct tradition. The conventional notions of good and evil are constantly subverted. Savage Native Americans wield Winchesters, leading the charge, while westward-bound Americans cower and are slaughtered. However, the genre aims for the absurd, not the nonsensical, and Cobucci's script really falls short. P.S. Quentin Tarantino clearly lifted a lot from the score and that scalping scene.
Quinn
Ennio Morricone's score is divine, so classic that Quentin Tarantino directly lifted the entire OST for Kill Bill Vol. 2. The plot is typical of spaghetti westerns: the protagonist's suffering, the villain's inner monologue, and the revelation of the protagonist-antagonist vendetta - all done quite well. Countless scenes have been paid homage to: scalping and tomahawk kills were taken by Tarantino, and killing in front of a mirror was taken by the Coen brothers. As always, any movie with Morricone is instantly elevated.
Maria
To start, you have to admit that most Italian Westerns are fairy tales.
Noah
A righteous Navajo Indian, wielding deadly knives and possessing unerring marksmanship. In contrast, the white men are portrayed as cowardly and hypocritical, none daring to uphold justice. A half-breed white villain, consumed by hatred for his own blood and the lack of kindness he's received, descends into a merciless, cold-blooded killer.
Adeline
Sergio Corbucci wanted Marlon Brando, but the producer replaced him with Burt Reynolds; Reynolds was also misled, thinking he was working with the director of the Dollars Trilogy, only to discover after signing the contract that it was another Sergio. The director and star had a strained relationship, and Burt was eventually abandoned by the crew in the desert. He never took on another Spaghetti Western again—which is why, in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," DiCaprio's character only worked with the "second-biggest director of Italian Westerns" once.
Everett
Navajo Joe delves into the dark heart of revenge, where bloodlust and moral ambiguity collide. The film's raw intensity and gritty atmosphere make it a standout in the genre, while its exploration of protagonist Joe's inner turmoil adds depth to this tale of vengeance.
