Curator's Take
“Another 'gun-priest' movie, leaning heavily into comedy. It’s not high art, but it’s an entertaining romp that pokes fun at the genre's own clichés.”
Why This Movie Is Important
A satire that pokes fun at the stoic, invincible heroes of the past. By centering on a less competent protagonist, it reflects a self-aware exhaustion with the super-heroic gunfighter. It’s part of the deconstruction phase where the genre began to laugh at its own conventions.
Production Details
Holy Water Joe is a 1971 western film directed by Mario Gariazzo. Originally released in Italy under the title "Acquasanta Joe", the film was produced during the golden era of European westerns. The soundtrack was composed by Marcello Giombini. Cinematography was handled by Franco Villa. The screenplay was written by Ferdinando Poggi. The film stars Ty Hardin as Jeff Donovan, Richard Harrison as Charlie Bennett, and Lincoln Tate as Aquasante Joe / Holy Water Joe. Running 1 hour and 34 minutes, it is a well-paced entry in the genre.
Did You Know?
The bounty hunter hero carries his weapons in a hollowed-out bible. This prop idea was later borrowed (or stolen) by several other films, including Robert Rodriguez's 'Desperado'.
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