The Singer Not the Song

Challenging casting and a sub-standard script make this a western with some significant credibility gaps. Rather formulaic in its storyline and for me never really coping with either Bogarde or Mill's characters well. The feel of the piece is more of an Elstree drama rather than a western which means it leaves you feeling rather short changed. Decent locations and with some grit (for the time) - worth watching but probably only once.

Strangely enjoyable although I can not for a moment take it seriously. Dirk Bogarde played it high camp and high camp it is indeed. Every arched eyebrow, smirk and shot of those leather trousers take this film further from what it was planned to be, and in doing so make a forgettable film completely unforgettable.

This, in many respects, I think should be considered the most distinguished example of a Spaghetti Western. It subverts so many of the tropes , whilst retaining those that actually work. To only have one real gun fight in the whole duration I think is testament to the films intentions, behind the (admittedly) amusing camp Bogarde performance and western theme the film is sending a strong narrative message: It's not the world that defines the human, but the human that defines the world.

Offbeat western works so well in its first half, as it marches to the beat of its own drum (or rhythm of its own song), setting the template for later spaghetti westerns, that it is a shame that the second half devolves into much more familiar (and unbelievable) territory, as Mills assists with Bogarde's voluntary reformation. Excellent performances by the two leads maintain interest, but better development of its tale, plus half an hour of cuts, would have made for a greater film.