Western. A screen adaptation of the novel "Severino from the Islands" by Edward Klein, which I have not read and am not going to do. Production of the East German film studio DEFA, created with the participation of socialist Romania, where the main role was played by the famous Yugoslav actor, "Honored Indian of the Soviet Union", Goiko Mitic. The eleventh painting out of twelve that I intend to see and revise. And I can say for sure that I definitely did not see this particular picture. And here is my brief opinion - the deeds of a peace-loving Indian. I will say right away that there are no flaws in the picture, but there are several comments that I will highlight in a separate paragraph, but for now, let me focus your attention on the unambiguous advantages of this western.
So, here they are:
1. Scenario - the picture tells about the adventures of the Indian Severino, played by Goiko Mitic. He is from a tribe of South American Indians, but he lived for many years among white people, worked long and hard, and as a result saved up a decent amount, and now he returns home in order to take his brother with him to the north, but when he arrives, he realizes that everything will be very bad just. A long absence, the relationship between white settlers and Indians, insidious bandits who skillfully hide behind the laws, personal relationships with his brother - all this will require a solution from Severino. And even the leader of his tribe is not at all peaceful in relation to the whites. The script turned out with twists, and in tone it differs from all Westerns of the film studio. There is nothing superfluous in it. The hero clings almost from the very beginning. And the finale pleased me too.
2. Nature - the picture was again filmed in Yugoslavia, where the nature is similar to the South American one. The majestic Andes are famous mountains that absolutely everyone knows. It is these shots that are the most exciting and memorable in the whole picture. And although in reality we were far from admiring the Andes, I will strongly pretend that it is they. The rest of nature is not inferior, rivers, passes, massifs, living creatures - everything reminds a person of the majestic beauty of Mother Nature, which we have ceased to notice, in pursuit of the "blessings of civilization" and the idiotic habit of making marasmic "selfies", wow, something carried me ... In general, the picture and camera work are at the highest level.
3. Chases, shootouts - there are very few of them here, especially for this genre, but those that exist look good. The chase was especially successful. Dynamic. Staging at a high level.
4. Music - here I must inform you that the local music won me over much more than in the Western "Trail of the Falcon". She is very different in tone here, winds up a certain melancholy, a desire for peace, resists war, which can be traced in the script. And although there are not so many musical compositions here (the title theme is repeated quite often), it is very memorable. The composer Gunther Fischer did a good job.
5. Entourage - atmosphere, costumes and decorations - everything is at a high level, even despite the change of the mainland, where there are unique features. Manzanero Indians, white settlers, official authorities - everything corresponds to this historical era.
A little about the main characters:
1. Severino performed by Goiko Mitic - an Indian of the Manzanero tribe, who returned home after a long absence, and now he has to deal with personal affairs, and reconcile whites and Indians, whose relations are tense to the limit. He behaves reasonably, opposes the war, because he understands that his fellow tribesmen will definitely lose. His experience of living with white people actively helps in this. Goiko again played the main role perfectly, this time acting not as a mighty avenger, but as a peace-loving Indian who wants to fulfill his dream. Bravo Goiko!
2. The leader performed by Leon Nemchik is the leader of the Manzanero tribe, who hates white people and dreams of returning the tribe to its former glory, regardless of reality. Opposes Severino's attempts to resolve disputes peacefully. The ending of his life is quite predictable. Leon did an excellent job of this role.
I cannot fail to mention the police sergeant, who confronts the bandits and helps Severino in everything, so that everything is quiet and peaceful in his area of responsibility.
Well, of course, chases and skirmishes today are not able to amaze the viewer, as in the year the picture was released, but we will make a discount on the release time. Well, the tone of this western is strikingly different from the rest, which I could not help but notice. An unusual move.
Well, next time Goiko Mitic will try to return the horses stolen by the US army. This will be the painting "Leader White Feather", and in it I will draw conclusions about these Westerns by DEFA.
As a result, we have a good western with the inimitable Goiko Mitic, an excellent script, an unusual tone, excellent and memorable music, excellent entourage and great acting.