Watch Death Rides a Horse

Death Rides a Horse is a classic spaghetti western movie made in 1967, directed by Giulio Petroni, and starring eminent Hollywood actors Lee Van Cleef and John Phillip Law. The plot of the movie revolves around vengeance, betrayal, and redemption. The story begins with a young boy named Bill Meceita (John Phillip Law), whose family is brutally murdered in front of his eyes by a group of bandits led by Ryan (Geoffrey Lewis). The young boy survives the attack and grows up in an orphanage, nursing his anger and thirst for revenge against the outlaws who killed his family.

The central character of the movie is Lee Van Cleef's character, known simply as Ryan. Ryan is a skilful bandit who is notorious for his ruthlessness and his ability to cheat death. Later in the story, we find out that Ryan and his gang were responsible for the massacre of Bill's family, which sets the premise of the movie.

Years later, Bill (now grown up) sets out to locate the killers and avenge his family's death. Bill's journey leads him to cross paths with Ryan on numerous occasions. However, Ryan is initially unaware of Bill's vendetta, and the two go their separate ways with no suspicion.

As Bill closes in on the criminals he seeks, he becomes more and more vengeful and brutal, mirroring the darkness of the men he is hunting. Ryan, on the other hand, becomes increasingly concerned about Bill's trail of violence and vows to stop him before he goes too far. Meanwhile, we also come across other characters, such as Ryan's old acquaintance Cuchillo (Mario Brega) and some members of Ryan's gang, who have their own ulterior motives and agendas.

The film is extremely well-paced, with moments of intense action, suspense, and drama. The cinematography is brilliant, and the desert landscapes of southern Italy set an eerie tone that immerses the viewer in the film's frantic pace.

One of the most striking features of this movie is the portrayal of the characters. Lee Van Cleef's stellar performance as Ryan makes him one of the most iconic villains of the spaghetti western genre. His calm, collected, and menacing persona is in sharp contrast to John Phillip Law's impassioned portrayal of Bill. The characters' interactions throughout the movie are compelling and provide ample opportunity for both actors to show their ability to create a sense of depth and intrigue into their characters.

The film's score is also a standout feature, featuring Ennio Morricone's memorable score, which was composed specifically for this movie. The soundtrack helps create an intense and atmospheric ambiance for the film, with a mix of haunting melodies and traditional western-sounding themes.

In summary, Death Rides a Horse is a classic spaghetti western movie that is still relevant and entertaining today. It's a must-watch for fans of the genre as it comes with thrilling action sequences, fascinating characters, and brooding cinematography. With a perfect mixture of charm, entertainment, and an inspired score, the film's timeless appeal ensures it's a must-watch for fans of the genre.

Death Rides a Horse is a 1967 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 38.