Doc West (2009)

***The return of Terence Hill (aka Mario Girotti)***

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. 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-