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“Hannie Caulder,” released in 1971, stands as a compelling and violent revenge western that brought together an intriguing cast and crew. Directed by Burt Kennedy, the film stars Raquel Welch and Robert Culp in prominent roles. Kennedy’s work on this movie is noteworthy as he had previously written several westerns for director Budd Boetticher, particularly the “Ranown Cycle” westerns of the late 1950s and early 1960s starring Randolph Scott.
The term “Ranown” is a combination of “Randolph” from Randolph Scott’s name and “Brown,” a nod to producer Harry Joe Brown. The “Ranown Cycle” references their collaborative efforts, comprising six Budd Boetticher-directed westerns, as well as “Seven Men From Now,” which was produced by John Wayne’s Batjac production company. The seven movies in question are “Seven Men From Now” (1956), “Decision at Sundown” (1957), “Buchanan Rides Alone” (1958), “Westbound” (1959), “Ride Lonesome” (1959), “Comanche Station” (1960), and “The Tall T” (1957), with Richard Boone as a ruthless and matter-of-fact stagecoach robber.
Despite the relatively short 20-day shooting schedule for each of these “B” movies, great care and attention were devoted to writing, dialogue, and direction. As time has passed, these films have gained recognition as classics. What’s particularly intriguing is that these American westerns share some similarities with the later Italian westerns. In fact, Sergio Leone, known for directing masterpieces like “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and “Once Upon a Time in the West,” once met Budd Boetticher at a Milan Film Festival and exclaimed, “Budd! I stole everything from you.”
Italian Westerns were indeed influenced by American Westerns, but by the late 1960s and early 1970s, many American westerns, including “Hannie Caulder,” were influenced by the stylized and violent Italian westerns. Some American westerns were even filmed in or near Almeria, Spain, where Leone had shot his famous Clint Eastwood trilogy.
“Hannie Caulder” follows the story of a ruthless bounty hunter and gunslinger, played by Robert Culp. He takes Hannie Caulder, portrayed by the stunning Raquel Welch, under his tutelage after she falls victim to a brutal rape by the Clemens brothers, an inept gang of bank robbers played by Ernest Borgnine, Strother Martin, and Jack Elam. This captivating narrative of revenge and redemption unfolds amidst the backdrop of the American West, showcasing the dynamic storytelling and character-driven themes that are hallmarks of these western classics.
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