DanTheMan 2
The first real Zapata western, A Bullet for the General, is a tough and brutal study of an idealistic man's struggle between his greed and desire for wealth on the one hand and his beliefs and ideals on the other. A revolutionary call to arms, there's a rambunctious caprice throughout the film that goes beyond mere violence and destruction. It seems determined to have a good time and enjoy the ride, no matter how despicable the murder, mayhem and manipulation may get. The gliding, striding camera work is propelled by the same sense of excitement and destiny as Damiano Damiani directs the film like a 20s gangster picture in the sun-baked desert and white-dust hills of the cutthroat west, where life is cheap, loyalty is rare, and rival gangs constantly battle for guns and contraband. His additive touch easily sends a scene from cliché to inspired. The acting in this film is superb; Gian Maria Volonté and Lou Castel make for an excellent onscreen duo whose loyalties and sympathies are ever shifting with an ice-cold cynicism and infectious extroversion. The isolationist veneer masks a loneliness not fully satisfied by gold, setting up a devastating inner struggle that ultimately leads to the unforgettable ending. Klaus Kinski is another highlight as the crazy but idealistic priest who kills without mercy but demands respect for the dead, very far removed from his usual roles in these films. Backed by a truly energetic score by Luis Bacalov and Ennio Morricone, it's easy to dismiss the brutality of A Bullet for the General when every scene features a boisterous Gian Maria Volonté and mariachi music, this pragmatic approach to the violence makes for a film that's as witty as it is rambunctious.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
04/29/25
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Daniel C. M
It is a bit longer than it deserves to be, but this is still definetely in the top 10 of Spaghetti Western. Marvellous and convincing performance by Volonté as a charismatic, funny, and above all natural born revolutionary leader that is trying to be the new Zapata; definetely the best thing about this movie. The action is perfectly crafted too; and has a nice storyline full of little and big twists.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
01/24/25
Full Review
StephenPaul C
The greatest 01 hour: and 55 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
07/05/23
Full Review
Audience Member
With a title that translates as Who Knows?, this was renamed A Bullet for the General when it was released in the U.S. It's the first Italian western to seriously deal with the Mexican revolution, which is credited to screenwriter Franco Solinas, a confirmed Marxist, who shared screenplay duties with Salvatore Laurani. It was directed by Damiano Damiani, who was no stranger to movies with political commentary, except for the movie he's best known for in the U.S., Amityville II: The Possession.
Gian Maria Volonté plays El Chuncho Muños, who is considered the hero — I guess — of this film, who attacks a train and adds American Bill "Niño" Tate (played by Lou Castel with William Berger providing his voice). The foreigner manipulates Chuncho throughout and is present for the deaths of nearly all of his men as well as the death of his brother El Santo (Klaus Kinski, not the masked luchador, but man, Klaus Kinski and Santo in a movie is something I want to see).
It has Martine Beswick in the cast, an actress whose career ranges from Thunderball and Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde to The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood, Trancers II and so much more.
There's also an urban legend that Damiani got so fed up with the hijinks of Gian Maria Volontè and Kinski that he beat them and whipped them on the set until they finally behaved.
The first Zapata western — one that deals with the Mexican revolution — this movie ends with money being thrown and the poor being told to buy dynamite instead of bread. The idealism of revolution is forever co-opted by greed and this movie shoves your face in it and laughs, because even a movie made nearly sixty years ago understands the same issues we're dealing with today, ones that will never go away. Friendship means nothing, ideals mean nothing, only gold. Anyone, everyone will be sold out and left for dead.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/06/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This is a fantastic western set during the Mexican Revolution and starring Gian Maria Volonte', Lou Castel and Klaus Kinski, one of the best method actors of his generation.
This movie is on a par with the best of the more famous Sergio Leone's dollars trilogy and both Duck you, sucker! and Once upon a time in the West.
The soundtrack ain't bad either!
Personally I also prefer the European title (Quien sabe?)
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/21/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Really enjoyable Spaghetti Western set during the 1910's Mexican Revolution. Beautifully shot in the deserts of Spain and with a really good cast including Gian Maria Valente with a great story of Greed and Betrayal. I really recommend this film if you're a fan of other spaghetti westerns like Django or the Dollars trilogy.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
01/12/23
Full Review
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