Los Amigos

Los Amigos
Directed by Paolo Cavara
Produced by Joseph Janni
Luciano Perugia
Written by Lucia Brudi
Paolo Cavara
Harry Essex
Augusto Finocchi
Oscar Saul
Starring Anthony Quinn
Franco Nero
Pamela Tiffin
Franco Graziosi
Tom Felleghy
Renato Romano
Music by Daniele Patucchi
Cinematography Tonino Delli Colli
Editing by Mario Morra
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release date(s) 1972/1973
Running time 91 min.
Country
Language Italian
English

Los Amigos (Punto e Capo) is a 1972 spaghetti western film starring Anthony Quinn and Franco Nero in 1972. The film is loosely based on the life of Deaf Smith, with direction of Paolo Cavara.

Contents

Plot

The Republic of Texas has just gained its independence from Mexico. However, President Sam Houston fears the various rebels and interest groups that may take advantage of the Republic's newly won independence. He sends Erastus 'Deaf' Smith (Quinn) to put down one of the rebel groups led by Mexican general, Lucius Morton (Graziosi). Smith brings along his friend Johnny Ears (Nero) to help him. Ears must do his best to hide Smith's handicap, and to prevent their exposure when the rebel groups learns that a deaf-mute spy is among them.

Cast

Actor Role
Anthony Quinn Deaf Smith
Franco Nero Johnny Ears
Pamela Tiffin Susie, the Hooker
Franco Graziosi Gen. Lucius Morton
Tom Felleghy Von Mittler
Renato Romano J.M. Hoffman

About the director

Good morning from Rome: «This is not a spaghetti western,» director Paolo Cavara insisted on the set of Los Amigos, or, as it may be called, Deaf Smith and Johhny Ears, or perhaps Two men. The two men are Anthony Quinn and Franco Nero – and the girl, Pamela Tiffin, by the way… «I’m not one of those western directors,» Cavara adds. «The day of those blood–and–guts oaters made over here is over. They have to something else–and this one is a “psychological western.”» (…) «The Italians prefer their U.S. pictures dubbed,» director Cavara confirmed. Three of the four theatres SRO–showing The Godfather here show dubbed versions, one with subtitles. «We have been dubbing here for 25 years and do it perfectly,» he said. He was shooting most of this film with sound, rare for these h’yar parts. And was using a very lightweight, easily portable 35m Arriflex camera. Director Cavara had filmed many Mondo Cane scenes in the US, and ironically, last year was about to shoot a film, "Getting Off", in N.Y.. with a promising stage actor – Al Pacino. But after four months’ preparation, the film deal fell through. He hopes to be able to nab Pacino for a future project. One coming up is "Men A" to film in N.Y., Africa and Orient. It’s a story about man and pollution, a subject which now seems to be as universal as westerns, spaghetti or otherwise. «But, – Cavara smiles – whatever the film I make, it is always the same – about human relationship.» He wants Nero to star again for him… (Excerpt from Variety Wed, October 18, 1972)

Trivia

External links