I've just watched the new German Koch Media DVDs of these two movies. I do think some spaghetti westerns are not helped by mediocre prints especially the lesser ones. So it's great to see these A grade Italian westerns in prestine quality.

I previously ranked the A PISTOL FOR RINGO slightly below it's sequel. Now, however I'm not so sure. I think this movie may possibly be the best non- Leone film of the genre. While other films such as DJANGO and THE GREAT SILENCE are appealingly odd and grim they are also often very haphazzard in ploting and execution. PISTOL though has a clear concept and storyline. It's filled with interesting characters played by interesting actors. And cinematically, there is always something going on. As befits an athletic star like Giuliano Gemma there is constant movement and dynamic mise en scene. Without wanting to be patronising, for an Italian western it is very slickly made.

I can't help relating it to A FISTFULL OF DOLLARS. In this film the hero explains his motivations, he's more of a vocal character whereas the man with no name always just does what he does. The Ringo character is interesting in itself though he is personable, quick witted and smart. He's also self-interested and weirdly adolescent. For no reason, he will jump up on a wall and walk along it rather than the path. He's also a psychotic gun man. He made his first kill at 7 years of age!

The sequel shares the lead character's name (in places) but is really a whole new film. It's odd plot about the return of a war veteran who finds his home and family co-opted by Mexicans is highly original. Usually, spaghetti westerns are strung together excuses for gunfights and other incidents. Here, the film actual services a plot, a story! Again, the film is dynamically shot and full of movement. It has a great cast too. Gemma is mostly subdued while Fernando Sancho does a great turn as full blooded hildago. In the past I thought the last third of the film was out of kilter with the whole but now I realise I was wrong (sorry James Cheney). The whole thing works perfectly.

The Koch DVDs are beautiful prints. Extras include trailers and interviews with Gemma, Lorella de Luca and camerman Sergio D'Offizi. The interesting interviews are in Italian with German subtitles. Each film has German, Italian and English audio tracks along with German subtitles.

What's the audio quality of the English-language tracks like - are they tinny, robust, better or worse than the Italian tracks?

No problems at all with the English track on IL RITORNO DI RINGO, at least. Can't comment on UNA PISTOLA.

I thought the prints for both Koch's RINGO films, and the English audio, were fine. :)