This has been a pretty amazing year for box sets, and next on the chopping block is an Arrow Video entry “Vengeance Trails – 4 Classic Westerns”. This box set takes some lesser known western entries, by some better known directors like Lucio Fulci, Antonio Marghetiri, Maurizio Lucido, and Massimo Dallamano, and puts them together in a revenge themed collection. This is an exciting set, as these are lesser known films in general, and while most Fulci fans would have bought Massacre Time just to add another Fulci to their collection this gives fans an opportunity to explore the western output of dirctor’s better known for gialli, and other genres.

Massacre Time is probably the best known film in the set due to the Fulci connection. The film was made in 1966 just as the Spaghetti Western as a genre was taking off, and stars Django himself Franco Nero as Tom Corbett. A prospector who has returned home after many years away, only to find his family’s estate taken over by a wealthy man named Mr. Scott, his Father dead, and his brother an alcoholic. When his Mother is tragically murdered Tom and his brother go to seek revenge.

Massacre Time isn’t full of the gore Fulci would be known for in later decades, but it’s still a pretty harsh entry into the genre. The script is written by Fernando DiLeo who would become better known for his crime films. It’s not a perfect western, but with some of Fulci’s signature touches, and some great lead performances it’s a fun entry into the genre.

We then come to Maurizio Lucido’s My Name is Pecos. The plot to this one is pure revenge when a man name Pecos, comes back to his ravaged town he goes to seek revenge against a gang leader named Joe Clane who also slaughtered Peco’s family. It turns out Clane and his gang are on the hunt for a large wad of cash, and are not exactly on the best of terms with one another. Pecos uses this in his mission for revenge. This one is a straight-forward revenger, nothing complicated, but loads of fun. The action is solid, and the film is well paced. It did get a sequel apparently, but that is not included here.

The third film in the set is Bandidos directed by Massimo Dallamano, who is most known for gialli like What Have They Done to Your Daughters? And What Have you Done to Solange? With Bandidos, which I swear was ripped off by the Shaw Brothers in the 80’s for Mad Monkey Kung Fu, we have a tale of a train robbery in which everyone was robbed and killed EXCEPT for Richard Martin. He’s left alive with his hands destroyed. Of course, he’s angry, and of course, he wants revenge. Since he is no longer able he trains a student to get that revenge for him! Bandidos after Massacre Time might be my favorite in this set. It’s exciting all the way through, well-shot, and has a great revenge story.

The final entry is …And God Said to Cain. Which is directed by the iconic Antonio Margheriti. This one stars Klaus Kinski as Gary Hamilton a fella who has spent 10 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. When he’s released he gets a horse and a gun and goes to find the the Acombar, the guy who committed the actual crime. However, it turns out that Acombar, got MILLIONS out of the crime, and now basically runs a town that is overrun by his minions. Gary will need to blast his way through the entire town to get his vengeance! This one stars Klaus Kinski, so you know you’re in for a ride! Aside from that Margheriti brings a gothic horror element and operatic visuals to the film, the violence is over the top, and sort of grandiose at times. This was just absolutely fantastic and so easy to recommend.

All 4 films are presented in 2k transfers and look absolutely spectacular. Arrow has done a great job cleaning these films up while maintaining a film-like ambiance. Audio is handled with HD mono tracks with both English and Italian dub tracks. Extras are MASSIVE including a whole slew of documentaries, video interviews, commentaries by the best film historians working today , trailers, galleries, liner notes, and a poster! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED