Doc West

Doc West (2 parts) is a bit predictable and corny, but enjoyable story about a doctor who finds redemption. A story about an unusual (and a somewhat hard to believe) hero who was a doctor in Boston but is now a professional gambler and expert gunslinger and who has a good heart. It is an interesting take on the old west. Too bad there are not additional parts to the story that would bring a satisfying end to the open story lines at the end of the second part.

Chasing some bandits, a mysterious man who drinks tea (Terence Hill), not alcohol, comes to Holy Sand, New Mexico, where he provokes the ire of delinquents (e.g. Alessio Di Clemente), the friendship of the Sheriff (Paul Sorvino), the romantic desires of a woman (Clare Carey) and the respect of the citizens in general.

"Doc West" was released to TV in 2009 and has a sequel, "Triggerman," released the same year (actually they're two parts of the same 'mini-series'). These movies marked the return of Terence Hill to the Western genre after fifteen years. He had (and has) movie-star good looks and was known for Spaghetti Westerns in the 60s-70s, like "God Forgives... I don't" (1967), "Django, Prepare a Coffin" (1968), "Boot Hill" (1969) and the Trinity flicks. I suppose you could call him the Euro version of Clint Eastwood, but not really since he never attained Eastwood's fame and clout. His voice was dubbed in all those old Westerns due to his thick accent, but here you can finally hear his real voice.

Being a TV Western, "Doc West" lacks the technical proficiency of Sergio Leone's "My Name is Nobody" (1973) and has a few cartoonish CGI elements (the snake, the fire, etc.), but it's certainly watchable, has a great Western town set, plus additional glorious Southwestern locations. The story is interesting enough, but it could've been more compelling with a rewrite or two. It's the likableness of the protagonists and the warmhearted tone where the movie shines. Sorvino as the Sheriff basically takes Bud Spencer's role as Terence's burly sidekick.

The movie runs 1 hour, 37 minutes and was shot at Bonanza Creek, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

GRADE: B-

This review is based on the U.S. DVD release of Doc West, which was originally a 2 episode program for television somewhere outside the U.S. (Italy I presume, though the film is made in English). The DVD running time is shorter than the time listed for the TV miniseries, and judging be the continuity it's safe to say it's the first episode rather than a re-editing of both episodes into a single film (as sometime happens). As such the first episode does work well as a stand alone film.

The plot of Doc West is simplicity itself, stranger rides into town and becomes involved in the affairs of it's populace. As this has been done at least one or two times before, it always comes down to the handling of the material that makes or breaks such films. Fortunately star and director Terence Hill does a admirable job with the formula and proves himself a capable director. Anyone expecting the gritty feel of The Wild Bunch or nihilistic tone of Deadwood will be severely disappointed. Rather Doc West is a throwback to the clean cut family oriented westerns of old. Characters perhaps lack great depth but remain interesting, the outdoor scenery is captured well, the cast is good, and the script is nicely written. Paul Sorvino in a nice change of pace from his usual mafia roles, stars as the town's amiable sheriff.

This film marks the long awaited return of Terence Hill (real name Mario Girotti) to the western genre. In the early seventies, Hill starred in the Italian western action comedies "My name Is Trinity" and it's sequel "Trinity Is Still My Name" (both films far superior to Blazing Saddles, Support Your Local Sheriff, or anything similar imho). Legendary director Sergio Leone was fond of the Trinity character and decided to use him in a film, albeit in a somewhat more serious manner. As a result Leone cast Hill in the film "My Name Is Nobody". These early films were dubbed in English, though the voice work for Hill's characters is surprisingly similar to his own real voice (which has only a bit of an accent). Hill's last western film was "Troublemakers" (a.k.a. The Fight Before Christmas) with Trinity co-star Bud Spencer. Today the actor has aged quite well and looks in fine physical shape, evidenced by his ability to wear his wardrobe from "My Name Is Nobody" for this latest film. Doc West is perhaps a more mature version of the whimsical Trinity character. This film is not the best western of the last 10 years, but it is certainly entertaining and Terence Hill's long overdue return to the western is warmly welcome. Hopefully the second episode of Doc West will be released on domestic DVD soon and it won't be too long before Hill dons the iconic cowboy duster once again.

I am a hard core fan of Clint Eastwood's Man With No Name trilogy and the two thoughtful follow-ups he controlled: High Plains Drifter and Pale Rider. I disliked Terrence Hill's corruption of the genre with his grinning, overdubbed, hip "whatever" character and was glad when he went away. But then, fast forward to 2009 and he returns, pleasantly grizzled, speaking careful second language English and playing a serious character with just enough humor to comfort his old fans.

"Doc West" and the unfortunately named second episode "Triggerman" are a genuinely excellent and authentic Spaghetti Western with good production values and music that does not attempt to mimic Morricone. And of all things, it was filmed on location in New Mexico by an Italian crew.

Hill has one Eastwood moment in the movie when a poker competitor realizes Doc West has drawn him. When Doc is confronted, he glints back with no hint of a smile and says: "I'm not the one who thought he had a sucker on his hands." with his hand on his gun. I expected to hear the Eastwood tympani/chime strike followed by the wind blowing.

I rated the movie 8 only because he was more merciful with the Bad Guys than Clint would have been, but then, he IS a doctor. Anyone who remembers and likes the Clint trilogy should view this with an open mind. It's a little like going home. I wish Hill would do another before the years catch up.

I love the movies Terence Hill put out in the '70s and '80s, and I was curious to see an example of what Hill has been putting out in the present day, which explains why I rented "Doc West". Sadly, I didn't think too much of this effort. Hill still has his piercing blue eyes, but now in his senior citizen years, he looks extremely worn out and tired in this movie. The movie's sense of humor also seems worn out and tired, with the attempted humor not even generating a mild chuckle. In fact, much of the movie is (oddly) played pretty straight. I will admit that for a made-for-TV (Italian TV) movie, the production values are fairly good, from the western sets to the New Mexico countryside. But good production values can only carry a movie so far, and this movie ends up being a big disappointment.