Movie Review: Beyond the Law

Beyond the Law (Al di là della legge) a.k.a Bloodsilver a.k.a The Good Die First 

Roxy Film, Sancrosiap, Italy, West Germany, 1968. 

This movie can be found in Ten Thousand Ways to Die The Spaghetti Western Collection 12 Movie Pack by Mill Creek Entertainment. 

Stagecoach is going to Silvertown. Billy Joe Cudlip (Lee Van Cleef) and his black partner Al (Al Hoosman) steal valuables from the wagon. Also Preacher (Lionel Stander) is in Billy's gang. Director of silver mine James Cooper (Bud Spencer sans beard) welcomes young European engineer Ben Novack (Antonio Sabato). However the money Billy stole was the miners payroll and Novack gets the scolding. 

Ben Novack

Al

Billy Joe Cudlip

Naive Ben meets Billy who has lost his horse and together they return to Silvertown. Miners get angry at Ben but Billy defends him. As a true gentleman Billy also defends saloon singer Lola (Valentina Arrigoni). Ben goes to Greenstone to get mining equipment. He wants Billy to accompany him. Preacher and Al want to rob another money shipment but Billy opposes any violent methods. Billy hatches out a plan to steal the money. 

The Preacher

James Cooper

Lola

Problems start when real bandits from Burton's (peplum regular Gordon Mitchell) gang try to rob the money also. Billy becomes a hero. Billy teaches Ben how to survive in the Wild West. Ben has also outsmarted Billy and the money is in safe place. The bandits beat up Mr. Davis (Hans Elwenspoek) and rough up Billy's love interest Sally Davis (Graziella Granata). Ben gives the bandits a trashing but gets knocked out. Billy arrests some of them, and he is made a Sheriff. 

Sally Davis

School teacher (Renate Kasché )

Burton

Billy's gang plans to rob the silver shipment. But also Burton's gang aims to do the same. Who will get the silver and will Billy stay with his criminal gang or go straight? 

Betty (Ann Smyrner)

Billy's new suit

Almost FPS style end battle

The movie is presented in letterbox format. For some reason the soundtrack changes to Italian with English subtitles around 29 minute mark and continues to switch language couple of times. Possibly these scenes were not available in the original English dubbed version and were added later.

Lee Van Cleef has a bit different role than usually. Here he is less sovereign gunslinger and more like a lovable rogue. For an Italian Western this is more American style. However the story is a bit uneven with light and almost comical start and more serious action-packed end. The movie is good western although not the most typical Lee Van Cleef film. Surprisingly Bud Spencer does not punch anyone. Lionel Stander resembles a lot Ernest Borgnine. 

Rating: Good

Starring:  Lee Van Cleef, Antonio Sabato, Gordon Mitchell, Lionel Stander, Bud Spencer, Graziella Granata, Al Hoosman, Herbert Fux, Carlo Gaddi, Ann Smyrner, Enzo Fiermonte,  Hans Elwenspoek, Adriana Facchetti, Romano Puppo, Günther Stoll, Valentina Arrigoni, Ferdinando Poggi, Nino Nini, Salvatore Billa, Sergio Ferrero, Giovanni Ivan, Giuseppe Castellano, Enrico Chiappafreddo, Al Hoosmann, Mickey Knox, Giovanni Ukmar, Sergio Ukmar, Renate Kasché

Director: Giorgio Stegani