Like Killer Kid, this is set on the borders between Mexico and the good old US of A. Unlike Killer Kid, however, it's a rather standard - though nonetheless hugely enjoyable - example of the genre. There is none of the moral ambiguity or political speculation of the previous film. Instead it relies upon the familiar 'revenge for a murdered relative' storyline so beloved of the Spaghetti Western.

The town of Douglas is, due to political wrangling between the two countries, about to change hands into Mexican territory. Tensions are running high as the native Americans are becoming increasingly paranoid about their future. This is understandable, as a certain Colonel Ferreras (Eduardo Fajardo) and his band of unwashed muchachos are increasingly harassing them. Despite their claims that they represent Mexico, these dirty fellows actually seem to be more interested in the large amount of gold that's kept secure within the local bank.

Into this inhospitable situation comes Joe Rees (Anthony Steffen), a dandy in a selection of sharp suits who is a top notch card player and a faultless marksman. He also happens to be the brother of the acting sheriff, who despairs of his wayward lifestyle. Not for too long, though - the unfortunate official is soon a victim of the scuzzy brigands. Joe is understandably pissed by this and soon has a plan: to disguise himself as the dead man and pick off the killers (who, conveniently enough, don't actually know that the Sheriff is dead) one by one.

Meanwhile, the remaining townsfolk attempt to make a rather pathetic attempt to smuggle their gold into safer territory. This inevitably goes drastically wrong when Ferreras and his men massacre them. However, the booty in their midst arouses jealousy amongst the banditos and this makes them yet more vulnerable.

Well, this is jam-packed full of very thick, very grimy characters wearing strange hats and gurning desperately - which is fine by me. It's relatively tense and moves along at a breakneck pace; within the first thirty minutes you are already well into the thick of the action. There's also a superb, operatic soundtrack from the Morricone/Nicolai combo, which improves the whole viewing experience no end.

I like the idea of the vengeful hero adopting the guise of his dead brother (whenever he is about to kill one of the villains he pulls on the Sheriff's coat and hat). It's again an early pointer towards the supernatural leanings that the genre as a whole would later adopt with characters like Sartana and Django the Bastard. The climax is also interesting in that it takes place after the hero has been forced to drink two bottles of whisky!

Director Stegani made two other Westerns, Adios Gringo (65) and Beyond the Law (68), but this is probably his best. He also dabbled in the crime (The Last Desperate Hours (74)) and spy (Ypotron (65)) genres with moderate success. The cast includes Anntonio Iranzo, a regular character actor who looks slightly like Ron (The Name of the Rose, City of the Lost Children) Perlman and the excellent Eduardo Fajardo - who mugs away like a real old trooper. Silvia Solar, the female interest, has the disconcerting habit of calling everyone (despite their obviously being older than her) 'Boy'.

Matt B