Today We Kill, Tomorrow We Die! (1971)

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Just perfect...

A Brilliant Conflict

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

"Today We Kill ... Tomorrow we Die" is a rather unique "Spaghetti Western". First thing you will notice is the Old West looks more like the Maine woods than Arizona. I did not find the setting to be objectionable, just different. Fortunately there is some character development in this standard revenge story. Tatsuya Nakadal and his large band of cutthroats kill Montgomery Ford's Indian wife and frame him for the crime. After five years in jail, Ford hires four gunfighters to go after Nakadal and his gang. Nakadal obviously had seen "For a Few Dollars More", as his crazed bandit performance closely resembles Gian Maria Volonte's "Indio". My only question is why stage most of the final showdown in almost total darkness? - MERK

It's a pleasure to watch this movie because it's hero has a clear and direct plan, no messing around. Bill Kiowa (Brett Halsey) is released from prison and wants revenge on Elfego (intense villain: Japanese actor Tatsuya Nakadai), the killer of his wife. He looks for the best gunmen he can find (played by William Berger, Bud Spencer, Wayde Preston and Chet Davis), then searches for Elfego and his bandits to challenge them. Simple, but extremely effective. Brett Halsey does an excellent 'silent stranger' job, obviously following the footsteps of 'Django' Franco Nero, also in his outer appearance. The scenes are very well arranged, sarcastic Italian western style at its best. For example, when Bill purchases a gun - without saying a word - then shoots two guys in front of the store, and the owner says what a great gun that is, and he'll order some more of the same type. Professional attitude, isn't it? Another example is when Wayde Preston's character, the sheriff of a town, is joining Bill's team. He simply makes a prisoner new sheriff so he can leave town. So much for law, two sides of the same coin, one might say. Supported by the powerful musical score A.F. Lavagnino composed, 'Oggi a me, domani a te!" is a very recommendable tough flick.

Co-written by Horror-great Dario Argento, one of the filmmakers I have the highest respect and admiration for, Tonino Cervi's "Oggi A Me... Doani A Te!" aka. "Today It's Me... Tomorrow It's You" of 1968 is an average Italian revenge Western that has its highs and lows, certainly no highlight of the great Spaghetti Western genre, but a film with some definite qualities and some very good moments.After spending five years in prison, Bill Kiowa (Brett Halsey) seeks nothing but to take revenge on merciless Outlaw James Elfego (Tatsuya Nakadai), who has destroyed his life. In order to fight Elfego's notorious gang, Kiowa hires five men, among them the huge O'Bannion (Bud Spencer) and gambler Francis 'Colt' Moran (William Berger)...It is beyond doubt that Dario Argento is not only a Horror genius, but also a brilliant writer of Westerns, since he co-wrote the story to Sergio Leone's ingenious "Once Upon A Time In The West". The plot of "Today It's Me... Tomorrow It's You!", however, certainly has some interesting points, but is ultimately nothing more than average. One of this movie's biggest qualities is the cast, as it features the legendary Bud Spencer in one of his early Western roles, the great Spaghetti Western regular William Berger in one of his typical cool-cat roles, and the famous Japanese character actor Tatsuya Nakadai, who is just great as the diabolic villain. Brett Halsey is not too charismatic in the lead, but his performance is not bad either.The quality of the score differs throughout the movie, I didn't like the main theme, but some parts of the soundtrack are pretty good, especially the drum sections, accompanied by a yell, and Nakadai's character's theme. The movie's biggest flaws are the buildings and locations. They look OK at times, but over-all the movie delivers the visual impression of European woods in the fall much rather than the old West. This could have been a lot better if it had been filmed on better locations (such as the Spanish Almería), but it is an overall decent Spaghetti Western. My fellow Spaghetti Western enthusiasts should have a good time. 6/10

This film is considered one of the best spaghetti-westerns and thus my expectations were high. Unfortunately it didn't deliver. It's a simple and worn revenge story which never leaves the clichéd paths. The head villain Elfego(well played by Tatsuya Nakadai) is described as almost invincible but later turns out to be less than smart. Having a good opportunity to finish with the avengers we don't get an explanation at all why he doesn't take his chance. In the end he runs together with his gang into a prepared ambush and is the only survivor, for no other reason than to lose the final duel.The film is well shot and the score adequate. It feels sometimes quite intense and never shifts into comedic waters. The typical tongue-in-cheek humor of the spaghetti genre is missing. There are no great memorable scenes, either.5 / 10.