Review of Captain Apache (1971) by John D — 16 Apr 2008

Far too much in the way of ambiguity, a deliberate attempt to confuse the audience with "meaningful" symbolism, Lee Van Cleef grinning his way through a cumbersome script. Now why should anyone give this movie the time of day? Singer's cunning game of cat and mouse is as much focused on the viewer as it is amongst the motley crew of typical western characters, each one galvinised by western tropes, each one, a direct challenge to the viewer's guile.

Captain Apache has no right to assume that it is a classic, whatever that even means, what can be said, is that it's one tough badass son of a bitch, full to the guts of Van Cleef's endearing arrogance, trampling over the latest bunch of lackeys who somehow think they'll be the ones to dethrone him.

As if...