Watch Matalo Kill!

Matalo! (also known as Matalo Kill!) is a 1970 Italian spaghetti western film directed by Cesare Canevari. Starring Lou Castel, Corrado Pani, Antonio Salines, Luis Dávila, and Claudia Gravy, the movie tells the story of a band of strangers who arrive in a dusty town in search of a legendary treasure. The film opens with a group of strangers who find themselves traveling through the desert towards the dusty town of Flat City. Among them are a silent gunslinger (Castel), a scheming businessman (Pani), a mysterious traveler (Dávila), a beautiful woman (Gravy), and a group of bumbling outlaws.

Upon their arrival, the group quickly discovers that the town is ruled by a ruthless gang led by the psychotic Vito Cipriani (Salines). As they attempt to uncover the location of the long-lost treasure, the strangers find themselves caught in the middle of a deadly conflict between Cipriani's men and a band of rebellious townspeople.

The film's plot is largely driven by the characters' pursuit of the treasure, with each member of the group having their own motivations for seeking it out. The silent gunslinger, for instance, is seeking revenge against Cipriani for killing his brother. The businessman hopes to use the treasure to start a new life elsewhere, while the traveler is simply along for the ride.

As the strangers navigate the dangerous terrain of Flat City, they're confronted with a series of violent encounters and unexpected twists. Betrayals and shifting alliances abound, and the treasure's location remains elusive until the very end.

What sets Matalo! apart from other spaghetti westerns of the era is its surreal, almost dreamlike quality. The film was clearly influenced by the works of directors like Sergio Leone, and its use of slow-motion, extreme close-ups, and symbolic imagery makes it a visual standout.

It's also notable for its unconventional approach to the western genre, with many of the typical tropes subverted or played with in unexpected ways. The film's antihero protagonist, for instance, is a far cry from the stoic, virtuous gunslingers of classic westerns like The Searchers. Instead, he's a deeply flawed, emotionally damaged figure whose motivations remain murky until the end.

In addition to its stunning visuals, Matalo! is also noteworthy for its haunting, psychedelic score by Italian musician Mario Migliardi. The film's haunting theme song, "Ballad of Death," has since become an iconic piece of spaghetti western music.

While the film wasn't a commercial success upon its initial release, it has since gained a cult following among fans of the genre. Its visual style and unconventional storytelling continue to influence filmmakers to this day, with its influence evident in modern works like Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill.

Overall, Matalo! is a unique and visually striking entry in the spaghetti western canon. Despite its relatively low profile, it stands as a testament to the boundary-pushing creativity of Italian cinema in the 1970s.