Far and away one of the strangest films we’ve discussed on the podcast, right up there with the cannibal movies, is My Name Is Nobody, a comedic send-up of the Spaghetti Westerns from the very people who created them. Starring the legendary Henry Fonda and a goofy blonde himbo named Terence Hill, it kind of tells the story of an aging gunslinger and the younger man who idolizes him. It’s got a lot of familiar tropes from the Western, Spaghetti and otherwise, thrown into a hopper and shaken and tossed around, until they come out on the other side completely disoriented and confused. But it’s mostly pretty fun! Topics of conversation include the films’ experimental approach to filmmaking, the ugliness of the supporting cast, how much it is or isn’t like Looney Tunes and Unforgiven, my familiar “Prankster God” interpretation (as well as a host of other metaphysical fan theories I float), how much the titular Nobody has in common with Heath Ledger’s Joker, the successful subversion of the familiar revenge plot line, and a considered look at some of the film’s more awkward vignettes, such as a racially charged carnival game and a sensual piss joke.
We have a longer than usual segment on what else we’ve been watching this week, including such titles as Mourning Becomes Electra, Jaws, The Name of the Rose, Sully, and John Wick Part II, which ends up having a surprising connection to Open Range. This episode was a listener request (thanks Steve!) and we would be happy to take more. Please email us at westernswithdad@gmail.com to let us know what we should do an episode on. And why not visit us on iTunes and leave ratings an reviews? Eh? Next time on Westerns With Dad, we’ll be covering Last Train From Gun Hill, starring Kirk Douglas. It’s another listener request!
My Name is Nobody stars Henry Fonda and Terence Hill, and was directed by Tonino Valerii, from ‘an idea of Sergio Leone’.
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First, I want to thank you for watching my movie request! I am glad that you both enjoyed it. I personally give the movie a 4 out of 5. There is one thing I wanted to point out. During the movie, Nobody never kills anybody. Henry Fonda’s character is killing people throughout the film. I always thought of this as a contrast of the traditional western with the comedic western. I do like your analogy of Nobody being a Warner Brothers cartoon type of character. Again, thanks again for the good work that you both do.
When I rented this in order to listen to the podcast, I thought this starred Terence Stamp, only to realize I didn’t not even know who Terence Hill was. I’ve heard of this movie for years, but had never seen it. I thought I knew who Terence Hill was, but I realize I was confusing Terence Stamp from Young Guns with Terence Hill.
I knew who Henry Fonda was, and had no idea he was in this. I’ve recognized the music from a few other westerns, particularly The Good, Bad and The Ugly.
This movie was entertaining, but it was a bit too long and strange. The gun tricks from Terence Hill were ridiculous. It will not be my favorite western as I’m not the biggest fan of the “Spaghetti Westerns”. Once I realized this was a parody of the Western, then It got better.