Have a Good Funeral, My Friend, Sartana Will Pay

Have a Good Funeral, My Friend, Sartana Will Pay is an engaging Italian Spaghetti Western film that magnificently showcases the genre's finesse with thrilling gunfights, intriguing characters, and enthralling narratives entrenched in mystery and revenge. Directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Giuliano Carnimeo, the film comes as the final sequel in the Sartana series, which has cultivated a dedicated fan base due to its enticing narratives and masterful cinematography. It casts the charismatic Gianni Garko in the titular role of ‘Sartana,' a captivating, mysterious gunfighter whose intelligence is as deadly as his shooting skills.

In the movie, Sartana, the enigmatic drifter in iconic black who can shoot faster than his shadow, finds himself in a frontier mining town, entrusted with a daunting task. An old prospector named Samuel Plummer is callously murdered, and Sartana arrives just in time to hear the last words of the dying man. Inspired and fueled by Plummer's dying plea, Sartana starts his mission investigating the man's death. The mission is anything but simple, turning out to be a convoluted rabbit hole, taking the audience on an intricate journey filled with mystery, cunning villains, and glorious Western scenery.

The film cleverly positions Sartana between two warring clans - both vile with greed and unlit ambitions. The two families, the Murchisons and the Benghests, are influential in the small Western town of Apacheland, constantly battling for dominion over the area's silver mines. They are ruthless, suspicious of each other, and equally convinced that only they have a legitimate claim over Plummer's mines.

Gianni Garko masterfully plays Sartana, presenting him as a character who is equally proficient with a deck of marked cards as he is with blazing-fast guns. His deadpan expression conceals an alert mind always ready to turn the tables in his favor. He's a mystery, a genial and often scary loner who seems unbeatable in a gunfight or a game of poker. As a cool-headed, quick-witted opportunist, Sartana manipulates the feud between the families to his advantage, instigating the flames of their rivalry while patiently peeling back the layers of deceit that enshroud the old prospector's slain.

The movie also notably features the confident yet unsettling Abigail Murchinson, portrayed by Daniela Giordano, and Buddy Ben, played with menacing charm by Helmut Schmid. The duo adds another dimension to the storyline with their compelling chemistry and as they each orchestrate their plans, leading to a nail-biting climactic showdown.

Undeniably, Carnimeo’s direction is superlative, shrouded in a strong aura of suspense and tension that relentlessly grips the audience. The physical beauty of the Western frontier is artistically captured, often juxtaposed with the gruesome realities of greed and violence. The atmospheric score by Bruno Nicolai heightens the movie’s various moods, intertwining the rich culture and stark survivalist nature of the Old West.

Moreover, Carnimeo’s memorable cinematic choices embellish the classic elements of a Spaghetti Western with chilling violence, strategic duels, surprising twists, and dark humor. Iconic scenes include a thrilling poker game, several staged shootouts, and an unforgettable finale filled with quick-draw duels. All these elements envelop the narrative in a uniquely Western ambiance, making this film distinguishable from its genre counterparts.

In conclusion, Have a Good Funeral, My Friend, Sartana Will Pay is a film that carries the spirit of a Spaghetti Western high. The beautifully-acted lead character and the complex narrative embedded in greed, revenge, and oddly-friendship offer an enriching viewing experience. Supported by a captivating storyline, intriguing characters, outstanding performances, and exceptional production design, each scene compels the viewers to unravel the mystery along with Sartana, blurring the lines between right and wrong in the face of justice.