Mannaja (1977)

Review by All Movie Guide
This late entry into the spaghetti western cycle lacks the substance that informs its best films but still offers plenty of diversions for its hardcore fans. For seasoned fans of the genre, Mannaja will play like a 'greatest hits' compendium of the spaghetti western: the gothic atmosphere and grimy town setting are reminiscent of Django, Phillipe Leroy's 'crippled baron' character is virtually lifted from Once Upon A Time In The West and the film's plotting and use of music borrow heavily from Keoma, a 1976 Italian hit that inspired the late 1970's wave of spaghetti westerns. As a result, Mannaja often comes off as being a bit derivative. That said, it's too well made to be casually dismissed: director Sergio Martino keeps the plotting lean and action intense (a scene where a massacre of innocent coach passengers is intercut with a wild saloon-girl dance number is a standout) and the haunting gothic/folk soundtrack by Guido and Maurizio De Angelis is guaranteed to stick in the viewer's memory long after the film is over. The film is further aided by a trio of excellent performances: Maurizio Merli cuts a believably macho figure as the title character, John Steiner is subtly menacing as a slick but sadistic henchman and Donald O'Brien adds some comic relief as a raggedy crook whose fortunes are tied to those of Blade. To sum up, Mannaja isn't the most original film in the spaghetti western genre but remains worth a look to fans thanks to its solid craftsmanship. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide