Days of Vengeance & Erik the Viking

Wild East has released a second Double Feature package featuring Euro Genre actor extraordinaire Guiliano Gemma know to American fans as Montgomery Wood. The first Volume featured a satirical Western with a Euro Spy spoof. This time we have a serious Western paired with a semi-Peplum Epic. Up first is Director Florestano Vancini's (here billed as Stan Vance) excellent 'DAYS OF VENGEANCE' aka 'LONG DAYS OF VENGEANCE' and as it is presented here 'I LUNGHI GIORNI DELLA VENDETTA'- 1967. Gemma doesn't appear till the 30 minute mark allowing the revenge plot to enfold as he breaks out of prison vowing vengeance on the people who put him there (crooked sheriff, crooked judge, crooked arms and slave trader} preying on their guilt and arrogance culminating in a blistering 40 minute finale. Gemma is joined by brilliant character actor Francisco Rabal and Nieves Navarro aka Susan Scott as the mainvillains but it is the gorgeous Gabriella Giorgelli as Gemma's girl friend who steals the show. The screenplay is cowritten by writer/director Fernando Di Leo also it appears to be Vancini's only Western so he packs it with beautiful cinematography by Francisco Marin and a rousingly memorable music score by Armando Trovajoli (one of his best). After you catch your breath, we have Director Mario Caiano's 'ERIK THE VIKING' aka 'ERIK IL VICHINGO' aka 'VENGEANCE OF THE VIKINGS'- 1965 listed incorrectly on the box as 1968. Here we have an atmospheric adventure as Gemma wishes to branch out his tribe to greener pastures being fed up with interferences from other countries . He winds up in the tropics as he encounters a friendly Indian tribe where he finds Love with the beautiful Elisa Montes. Of course, we have the treachery of scumbags Gordon Mitchell and Eduardo Fajardo to upset the mix. Caiano directs in workman like fashion utilizing a nice music score by Carlo Franci to blare out at the appropriate moments. 'VENGEANCE' is presented in a nice clear 2.35 transfer dubbed in English and is presented in its original 2 Hour cut (didn't know their was a shorter version). 'ERIK" is presented in 1.85 with really bright Eastman Color images dubbed in English as well. Extras include Picture Galleries , a clip of the American main title sequence showing 'DAYS OF VENGEANCE' and an Italian trailer for "ERIK'. The true highlight of the package is a 30 minute interview with Nieves Navarro spoken in Castilian with English subtitles. She discusses her entire career including her sex romps and Giallos with memorable stories on actors she worked with and the shoots of 'DAYS OF VENGEANCE' and her favorite film, Director Sergio Sollima's 'THE BIG GUNDOWN' aka 'LA RESA DEI CONTI'-1966 Alone ,it is worth the price of the package. A large improvement over their first Volume, this release will please all fans of Guiliano Gemma and Euro genre films as well. It shows the diversity and energy that this memorable actor always brought to his work.

a great double bill.

I bought this DVD for the film Erik the Viking, an Italian-Spanish made, mid 60s variation of the sword-and-sandal theme. A young Viking goes on an expedition and finds the New World circa year 1000. There he finds love, treachery and misfortune. When he realizes he's been betrayed he heads home as fast as his rowboat ship can carry him to right wrongs. The transfer is excellent. The DVD also has the trailer (in Italian). Recommended for fans of the genre.

Days of vengeance is an awesome film. The acting, direction and camera work are top notch. The movie has an incredible music score, sometimes haunting guitar that drips Gritty. This volume has an interesting interview with the beautiful Nieves Navarro. And the original English credits for the movie. 4 out of 5 on the Grit factor. Another Wild East masterpiece!

The older title is the real gem. Prinr quality was fine and worth the purchase. Giuliano Gemma is right up there with Clint Eastwood, Franco Nero, Lee Van Cleef and many others in the Spaghetti Western genre.

another great package from wild east days of vengeance has excellent picture quality and sound and a typical revenge storyline i enjoyed the film. eric the viking was also a fun a bit chezzy great package

It exactly what I ordered