Cast
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Gian Maria Volonté
as Professor Brett Fletcher
Tomas Milian
as Solomon 'Beauregard' Bennet
William Berger
as Charley Siringo
Jolanda Modio
as Maria
Gianni Rizzo
as Williams
Carole André
as Elizabeth Wilkins
Ángel del Pozo
as Maximilian de Winton
Aldo Sambrell
as Zachary Shawn
Nello Pazzafini
as Vance
José Torres
as Aaron Chase
Linda Veras
as Cathy
Antonio Casas
as Leading Citizen of Puerto del Fuego
Frank Braña
as Jason
Lorenzo Robledo
as Wallace
Guy Heron
as Sheriff at de Winton Estate
Crew
Director
- Sergio Sollima
Producer
- Arturo González
- Alberto Grimaldi
Reviews
John Chard
Reasons of state, Wallace. You studied history, so you know what I mean. Not out of hate... but with compassion.
Faccia a facia (Face to face) is directed by Sergio Sollima and Sollima co-writes the screenplay with Sergio Donati. It stars Gian Maria Volontè, Tomas Milian and William Berger. Music is by Ennio Morricone and cinematography by Emilio Foriscot and Rafael Pacheco.
Brad Fletcher (Volontè), a New England professor, is plagued by ill health and is advised to relocate to the West for better climate conditioning. Once in Texas he is unfortunately taken hostage by wounded outlaw Beauregard Bennet (Milian), the result of which begins a turning of the character based tables...
Sergio Sollima followed his excellent La resa dei conti (The Big Gundown) with this similar, if more complex, classic piece of spag cinema. Often cited as a picture with deep political motives, which Sollima denied, it really is in simplified terms a story about a good man going bad and a bad man going good. There are of course political and social observations, coming as it does down in the South post the Civil War, while some of the literate philosophising rewards more on subsequent revisits to the pic.
Very talky for sure, it does however contain some superb action sequences, particularly in the last quarter, which in turn is crowned by a very Leonesque finale of quality framing. The trio of lead actors, each a Spag Western legend, are on superb form, while Sollima and his cinematographers provide an epic location based scope to the piece. Be sure to not see any abridged or dubbed version, see it only in its full length with natural Italian accompanied by the various subtitle options. 8/10
Nov 24, 2019
Thematic Analysis
Face to Face represents a fascinating example of Western cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Sergio Sollima brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1967, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Face to Face took approximately 34 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 112 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 167 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1379 individual shots.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 1967, when this film was released:
- Social and cultural revolution was transforming Western societies.
- The Vietnam War was becoming increasingly controversial.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Face to Face shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Django, which focuses more on action than character development, Face to Face offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like My Name Is Nobody and Lucky Luke explore similar territory, Face to Face stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: November 23, 1967
- Runtime: 1h 52m
