Blood Money - Four Westerns Clasics Volume 2 Blu-ray

Box set with four classic spaghetti western films from the 1960s

In the mid-1960s, the enormous success of Sergio Leone's "Dollars" trilogy led to an explosion of similar productions. Dozens of filmmakers sought to capitalize on this new, uniquely Italian interpretation of the Western, characterized by a deeply cynical outlook, morally compromised antiheroes, and unflinching depictions of brutal violence. This specially curated selection brings together four outstanding examples of the genre from the height of its popularity, all centered around the theme of blood money. In Romolo Guerrieri's 10,000 Dollars in Blood Money (1967; a.k.a. 10,000 Dollars for a Massacre), Gianni Garko—best known for his portrayal of the supernatural gunslinger Sartana—takes on the role of another beloved antihero of the West, Django, who is on the trail of the bandit Manuel Vasquez (Claudio Camaso, A Bay of Blood). But what began as a contract job soon becomes personal, and Django swears revenge against the unscrupulous bandit. Then, in the film's spiritual successor, Giovanni Fago's Vengeance is Mine (1967; also known as 100,000 Dollars for a Murder), Garko and Camaso once again lead the cast, this time as estranged half-brothers—one a Confederate soldier who now rides with outlaw rebels, the other a bounty hunter tasked with bringing him in alive.

In Giuliano Carnimeo's Find a Place to Die (1968), Jeffrey Hunter (The Searchers) plays Joe Collins, a decorated former soldier who gathers together a group of outlaws. They are persuaded to help a woman (Pascale Petit, A Queen for Caesar) to rescue her husband, who is trapped in the gold mine—but in reality, they themselves have plans to take care of the gold find. Finally, in Cesare Canevari's psychedelic Matalo! (Kill Him) (1970), there are plenty of double and triple crossings when a band of outlaws, hiding in an isolated ghost town, begin terrorizing travelers Ray (Lou Castel, Orgasmo) and Bridget (Ana María Mendoza, 7 Women for MacGregors) - only to get more than they bargained for when Ray fights back, armed only with his weapon of choice: a bag full of boomerangs.

Extras - High Definition Blu-ray™ (1080p) presentations of all four films

- Brand new 2K restorations of all four films from the original 35mm camera negatives by Arrow Films

- Original Italian and English opening and closing titles

- Restored lossless Italian and English original audio tracks

- English subtitles for the Italian audio tracks

- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English audio tracks

- Brand new introductions to each film by journalist and critic Fabio Melelli

- Galleries for all four films

- Reversible covers featuring original artwork and a protective slipcase

- Special features include:- Galleries for all four films

- Reversible covers featuring original artwork and a dust jacket with newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

DISC 1 - 10,000 DOLLARS IN BLOOD MONEY

- Brand new audio commentary by author and film historian Lee Broughton

- Tears of Django - newly edited featurette with archival interviews with director Romolo Guerrieri and actor Gianni Garko

- The Producer Who Didn't Like Westerns - brand new interview with producer Mino Loy

- How the West Was Won - brand new interview with screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi

- Theatrical trailer

DISC 2 - REVENGE IS MINE

- Brand new audio commentary by critics Adrian J. Smith and David Flint

- Cain and Abel - newly edited featurette with archival interviews with actor Gianni Garko and screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi

- In Conversation with Nora Orlandi - newly edited archive interview with the film's iconic composer

- Movie After Movie - brand new interview with producer Mino Loy

- Theatrical trailer

DISC 3 - FIND A PLACE TO DIE

- Brand new audio commentary by author and critic Howard Hughes

- Sons of Leone - newly edited archive interview with director Giuliano Carnimeo

- Traditional Figure - brand new, in-depth appreciation of the soundtrack and its composer, Gianni Ferrio, by musician and record collector Lovely Jon

DISC 4 - MATALO! (KILL HIM)

- Brand new audio commentary by critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson

- A Milanese Story - brand new, in-depth interview with filmmaker Davide Pulici, discussing Matalo! director Cesare Canevari's career

- Untold Icon - brand new, in-depth appreciation of the soundtrack and its composer, Mario Migliardi, by musician and record collector Lovely Jon

- Theatrical trailer