History Film / Sartana

''Sartana'' is the name of a popular character from [[SpaghettiWestern Italian westerns]], most famously portrayed by Gianni Garko (sometimes credited as [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Johnny Garko]] in other territories). The character starred in a large number of movies, some official and some not (loose copyright laws in Italy led to a LOT of ripoff movies), but those considered "true" Sartana movies are those starring Garko.

* CoolGuns: His signature weapon is a teeny-tiny silver revolver that has what looks to be a gambling dreidel as its cylinder. As for more conventional firearms, he uses the quintessential cowboy weapons: a "Yellow Boy" Winchester repeater and a Single Action Army.

* LongTitle: The films' titles, as can be seen above. They're BADASS titles, though.

* AntiHero: Sartana. He tends to be pretty civil with everyone, but particuarly rotten bad guys make him be much meaner. And bad guys [[KillEmAll never, EVER survive his attention, period.]]

* OverlyLongName: The films' titles, as can be seen above. They're BADASS titles, though.

* BadassMoustache: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Obviously in the final two films films.]] In the other films, he has PermaStubble, but his moustache is what really gives him a distinctive look.

The Sartana movies are great, GREAT fun. Sartana's stunts and machinations [[SerialEscalation escalate to insane levels]], and the movies are full of gadgets, [[AnachronismStew anachronisms]] and plots that, while perhaps out of place in a typical western, just add fun to an already awesome character. Sartana himself is a master of the [[HiddenWeapons hidden weapon]], with gadgets that would make Film/JamesBond take pause. The films also, surprisingly, have very elaborate plots, especially ''Funeral'' and ''Light The Fuse'' (nicknamed by fans "the Moustache Films" because of [[BadassMoustache the moustache Sartana has in those two]], which he does not have in the other ones).

There are five "official" Sartana movies: the original directed by Creator/GianfrancoParolini, and four sequels directed by his appointed successor Creator/GiulianoCarnimeo. All of them, with the exception of the final film, starred Gianni Garko as Sartana himself:

* '''''Have A Good Funeral, My Friend... Sartana Will Pay''''': First of the "Moustache" movies, and when the series started to get ''really'' good. An elderly miner and his family are killed in cold blood as part of a land grab. Sartana rides into town to avenge the dead.
* '''''Light The Fuse... Sartana Is Coming''''': The second "Mustache" movie. Sartana is in pursuit of half a million dollars in counterfeit money... and the half million of REAL money which was never exchanged.
* '''''Sartana's Here... Trade Your Pistol for a Coffin''''': The final "official" Sartana film. George Hilton replaces Garko in the role of Sartana.

The two ''Moustache'' films also have a musical score by Bruno Nicolai, long time friend and collaborator of Music/EnnioMorricone. Indeed, Nicolai was the actual conductor of the orchestra that played Morricone's compositions, and his work in Italian film is almost as prolific and regarded as Morricone's. Accordingly, these two movies' soundtracks are '''''[[SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic AWESOME]]'''''.

* BadassMoustache: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Obviously in the ''Moustache'' films.]] In the other films, he has PermaStubble, but his moustache is what really gives him a distinctive look.

* {{Crossover}}: With Film/{{Django}} in the 1970 ''Django Defies Sartana''.

* '''''Sartana: Angel Of Death''''': Sartana is framed of robbing a bank, and sets out to pursue those who framed him.

* TropesAreNotBad: Yes, the movies have, like, every single damn western cliche you can think of. It doesn't stop them from being awesome.

The two ''Moustache'' films also have a musical score by Bruno Nicolai, long time friend and collaborator of Music/EnnioMorricone. Indeed, Nicolai was the actual conductor of the orchestra that played Morricone's compositions, and his work in Italian film is almost as prolific and regarded as Morricone's. Accordingly, these two movies' soundtracks are '''''[[CrowningMusicOfAwesome AWESOME]]'''''.

* PsychoForHire: Many of the guys hired to off Sartana are this. In the first flick, he's memorably played by KlausKinski. [[Creator/WernerHerzog Yes, THAT Klaus Kinski.]]

There has also always been speculation that Sartana is much more than he seems: like Creator/{{Clint Eastwood}}'s nameless gunfighter in ''HighPlainsDrifter'', it is implied that Sartana might be some sort of supernatural spirit of vengeance, paying just dues against those that abuse those less fortunate. Indeed, Sartana NEVER has any personal reason for helping the people, he apparently does it on a whim. However, he does show interest in personal gain: even if his actions help those less fortunate, money always seems to end up in his pocket when the movie's done.

* BadAss: Oh so very much, Sartana's badassness is the reason you see these flicks.

''Sartana'' is the name of a popular character from [[SpaghettiWestern Italian westerns]], most famously portrayed by Gianni Garko(sometimes credited as [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Johnny Garko]] in other territories). The character starred in a large number of movies, some official and some not(loose copyright laws in Italy led to a LOT of ripoff movies), but those considered "true" Sartana movies are those starring Garko.

There has also always been speculation that Sartana is much more than he seems: like Creator/{{Clint Eastwood}}'s nameless gunfighter]] in ''HighPlainsDrifter'', it is implied that Sartana might be some sort of supernatural spirit of vengeance, paying just dues against those that abuse those less fortunate. Indeed, Sartana NEVER has any personal reason for helping the people, he apparently does it on a whim. However, he does show interest in personal gain: even if his actions help those less fortunate, money always seems to end up in his pocket when the movie's done.

The Sartana movies are great, GREAT fun. Sartana's stunts and machinations [[SerialEscalation escalate to insane levels]], and the movies are full of gadgets, [[AnachronismStew anachronisms]] and plots that, while perhaps out of place in a typical western, just add fun to an already awesome character. Sartana himself is a master of the [[HiddenWeapons hidden weapon]], with gadgets that would make JamesBond take pause. The films also, surprisingly, have very elaborate plots, especially ''Funeral'' and ''Light The Fuse'' (nicknamed by fans "the Moustache Films" because of [[BadassMoustache the moustache Sartana has in those two]], which he does not have in the other ones).

* CrazyPrepared: Wouldn't be surprising if his last name was [[Franchise/{{Batman}} Wayne.]] Not only is he always loaded with hidden weapons, he even makes gadgets that wouldn't seem out of place in a JamesBond flick. Even his POCKETWATCH is a weapon: the watch and the watch chain are made of lead, which he uses as a make-shift whip, such as when he's in a casino which does not allow guns on the floor.

There are five "official" Sartana movies: the original directed by Creator/GianfrancoParolini, and four sequels directed by his appointed successor Giuliano Carnimeo. All of them, with the exception of the final film, starred Gianni Garko as Sartana himself:

There are five "official" Sartana movies: the original directed by Gianfranco Parolini, and four sequels directed by his appointed successor Giuliano Carnimeo. All of them, with the exception of the final film, starred Gianni Garko as Sartana himself:

The two ''Moustache'' films also have a musical score by Bruno Nicolai, long time friend and collaborator of EnnioMorricone. Indeed, Nicolai was the actual conductor of the orchestra that played Morricone's compositions, and his work in Italian film is almost as prolific and regarded as Morricone's. Accordingly, these two movies' soundtracks are '''''[[CrowningMusicOfAwesome AWESOME]]'''''.

There has also always been speculation that Sartana is much more than he seems: like [[ClintEastwood Clint Eastwood's nameless gunfighter]] in ''HighPlainsDrifter'', it is implied that Sartana might be some sort of supernatural spirit of vengeance, paying just dues against those that abuse those less fortunate. Indeed, Sartana NEVER has any personal reason for helping the people, he apparently does it on a whim. However, he does show interest in personal gain: even if his actions help those less fortunate, money always seems to end up in his pocket when the movie's done.