Ehi amico... c'è Sabata, hai chiuso! (Sabata) (1969)

70% of users liked it
(801 ratings)

Spaghetti Western fans used to the likes of Django and The Good, The Bad and the Ugly might be taken by surprise when watching Sabata. True, the film does star spaghetti Western star Lee Van Cleef as the tight-lipped hero of the title, but it has a very different feel from the genre's traditional,… More Spaghetti Western fans used to the likes of Django and The Good, The Bad and the Ugly might be taken by surprise when watching Sabata. True, the film does star spaghetti Western star Lee Van Cleef as the tight-lipped hero of the title, but it has a very different feel from the genre's traditional, Sergio Leone-derived style. Director/co-writer Gianfranco Parolini (alias Frank Kramer) takes things in a direction that seems to fall halfway between The Wild Wild West TV series and a James Bond movie; the film is packed with colorful characters, exotic weapons, and the action scenes that mix wild stunts with pyrotechnics. Parolini appropriately gives the film a light touch, playing up the colorful and humorous aspects while delivering the action. The end result is a little too long for this sort of light material, causing it to drag a bit in the middle, but it is too good-natured and entertaining to dislike. In short, Sabata is likely to make fun viewing for Euro-cult fans and anyone interested in an offbeat Western. ~ Donald Guarisco, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Gianfranco Parolini
Genres: Art House & International, Western

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1969 Wide
On DVD: Oct 18, 2005
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
There's a lot of spaghetti tossed in this action western.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tsubaki S

So, am i the only one that noticed that Sabata and Sartana are very similar? They dress the same, they have cool gadgets and all sorts of clever tricks to kill the bad guys. Considering the SW defined itself with the lone anti-hero with ambigous morals it's no surprise to find so… More
So, am i the only one that noticed that Sabata and Sartana are very similar? They dress the same, they have cool gadgets and all sorts of clever tricks to kill the bad guys. Considering the SW defined itself with the lone anti-hero with ambigous morals it's no surprise to find so many coincidences. There's only one year apart from each film, so....anyway. As for the film, fun stuff, would feel more fluid having 10 or 20 minutes less. Cleef is obviously a different kid of badass from Gianni Garko. The always solid William Berger provides a good supporting role, catchy theme song, good times.
Conner R

Not really a great movie, but itâ€™s essentially the continuation of Colonel Mortimer from For a Few Dollars More. This is less rich when it comes to storytelling and direction, but itâ€™s still fun in itâ€™s own right. A classic gunslinger story that includes a number of double… More
Not really a great movie, but itâ€™s essentially the continuation of Colonel Mortimer from For a Few Dollars More. This is less rich when it comes to storytelling and direction, but itâ€™s still fun in itâ€™s own right. A classic gunslinger story that includes a number of double crosses and manslaughter. Itâ€™s also the inventor of the shotgun guitar, by far one of the most outlandish ideas. If youâ€™re a fan of Lee Van Cleef itâ€™s definitely worth it.
Eric B

I've seen an expert consensus list that ranks "Sabata" as the 21st best spaghetti Western. I guess that I won't be finding many more spaghetti Westerns to enjoy, because this film is hardly essential. Derivative and clumsily directed, and the musical score is only… More
I've seen an expert consensus list that ranks "Sabata" as the 21st best spaghetti Western. I guess that I won't be finding many more spaghetti Westerns to enjoy, because this film is hardly essential. Derivative and clumsily directed, and the musical score is only average. The most interesting feature is Sabata's muscular crony Alley Cat (Bruno Akmar), a genuine acrobat who performs some amazing tumbles. But William Berger (and his inescapable smirk) is remarkably annoying as "Banjo," the only man who becomes a serious challenge for trick-gunslinger Sabata (Lee Van Cleef).