A few more substations have been launched including ones that are focused on Westerns. The channels are focused on running old TV Westerns. I was hoping that their overnight programming would include a special slot dedicated to Spaghetti Western films. These were the movies produced by Italians many using locations in province of Almeria, Spain during the ’60s and early ’70s. They did their own interpretation of the Hollywood Western that had gone from the vast screen of the cinema to tiny tube of a TV. While you might know the movies made with Clint Eastwood with Sergio Leonel; there’s a lot more to the genre. The European cowboy movies proved to be a success as nearly 500 were produced during this era. It’s good to be able to watch a few of the films that are normal releases that would have played cinemas in West Germany that built up an eager matinee crowd. Vintage Vengeance – Spaghetti Western Volume 1: The Man From Oklahoma & Gatling Gun has double feature that’s perfect viewing on a lazy weekend afternoon.
The Man From Oklahoma (1965 – 84 minutes) is not a remake of the Roy Rogers film of the same name. Before the credits roll, the boys from the Edwards Ranch show up at the jail and “retire” the town’s sheriff. They want to be the only law in the small border town. Before they can take full control Oklahoma Dan (Rick Horn) rides into town with his letter announcing he’s the new sheriff. People aren’t happy that the law has returned especially Rod Edwards (Fistful of Dollars‘ Joseph Calvo). Hondo (not to be confused with Boston Celtics legend John “Hondo” Havlicek who was nicknamed after a John Wayne movie and played by The Great Escape‘s Karl-Otto Alberty) is willing to do the dirty work. While Oklahoma doesn’t have a real deputy, Cruck (Jesús Puche) is his only real help in the outlaw town. Along with dealing with Rod Edwards, Oklahoma Jim promises to solve the mystery of who killed the father of rancher Georgina White (Dr Mabuse vs Scotland Yard‘s Sobine Bethmann). Seems like Oklahoma Jim is going to be planted in Texas soil. The DVD version has him called Oklahoma Dan. There is another dub that has him going by Oklahoma John that uses it as the title. There’s another version that called the film The Ruthless Ranch. Maybe there’s only one Spaghetti Western with 500 alternate titles? Whatever you call the film, this appears to be Rick Horn’s only Spaghetti Western. Rick Horn’s real name is Rick Hornbeck so there’s that switcheroo too. His only other listed credit is an episode of Cheyanne. He’s a striking figure of a lawman so it’s strange he didn’t get another dozen movies in at least supporting roles. The English dub appears to have the voice actors who worked on Speed Racer.
Gatling Gun (1968 – 100 minutes) promises to be the real story about the most feared weapon of the Civil War era. The Gatling Gun was the earliest version of the machine gun although you’d set it up on a stand and fire numerous bullets without pausing to reload. Richard Gatlin (Two Guns and a Coward’s Ennio Balbo) does a presentation of his weapon of tomorrow for the US government to be used by the Union troops. Lincoln wants that weapon and so do others. When Gatlin and his gun are nabbed by the bad guys, Secret Service Agent Chris Tanner (My Name Is Pecos‘ Robert Woods) must track down the gun to restore his reputation. John Ireland (Gunfight at the O.K. Corral) is part of the intrigue. What makes the film interesting is that the investigation goes beyond six shooter justice. Gatling Gun is part of Quentin Tarantino’s Top 20 Spaghetti Westerns.
Vintage Vengeance – Spaghetti Western Volume 1: The Man From Oklahoma & Gatling Gun is a great DVD for fans of the genre. This is a double feature that brings back the glory days of when a cast from all over the globe could come together on the rugged turf in Spain to play cowboys.
The Video is 1.85:1 for Oklahoma and 2.35:1 anamorphic for Gattling. Both have that rustic scope imagery. The Audio is English Dolby Digital 2.0 for both films. You’ll hear that classic English dub clearly and lots of hooves. The Italian dub is included for Gatling Gun.
Trailers include 3 Musketeers of the West (3:41), Gatling Gun (3:57), Ride and Kill (2:40), Two Violet Men (2:26), $100,000 for Lassiter (3:21) and more Italian produced films
Gallery includes two posters and two lobby cards.
First Line Films & Dorado Films present Vintage Vengeance – Spaghetti Western Volume 1: The Man From Oklahoma & Gatling Gun. Directed by Jaime Jesús Balcázar and Roberto Bianchi Montero & Paolo Bianchini. Starring Richard S. Hornbeck, José Calvo, Sabine Bethmann, Tom Felleghy, Karl-Otto Alberty, Jesús Puche, John Ireland, Robert Woods, Ida Galli, Claudie Lange, Gérard Herter & Tiziano Cortini. Boxset Contents: 2 movies on 2 DVDs. Rating: Unrated. Release Date: October 14, 2025.
