Wuchak
Released in 1972 (but not in the USA until 1974), "It Can be Done
Amigo" is an Italian oater starring Ben Spencer as a gentle giant, Coburn, saved from unjust hanging. He becomes the caretaker of a little boy who's the heir of a remote ranch that many people are interested in obtaining for some reason. Jack Palance plays a comical gunfighter/pimp who insists that Coburn marries his nagging sister (Dany Saval) because he was previously intimate with her.In spirit, but not plot, this is basically an early 70's Euro version of 1963's "McLintock!" Unfortunately it was lost in translation for me. Obviously a lot of effort was put into it, but it failed to engage. It's also marred by the limitations of most Spaghetti Westerns, like dubious dubbing. Plus there should've been more prominent women (Saval is likable, but she just grates on the nerves after a while). Still, the movie's likable; it's just very eccentric, which limits its appeal, but I'll give it another try in a few years.The film runs 109 minutes and was shot in Almería, Andalucía, Spain.GRADE: C- (4.5/10 Stars)
Chris Haskell
While not exactly the same plot as True Grit, it is definitely in the same vein, but this time with slapstick humor interjected throughout. Bud Spencer chops his opponents into submission and Jack Palance goes from goon to goof as the story unfolds. This has all the parts of a Spaghetti Western: Decent theme song, genre character actors, settings, etc. but winds up a few feet wide of the mark. The humor is decent, especially some of the interactions with Coburn and the boy, and it is an entertaining movie, but I never really warmed up to the gentle giant Coburn (Bud Spencer) and believed his connection with the kid. And I feel like I just have to at least mention the awkward spousal abuse ending ... I guess it was just being historically accurate? Anyways, there are better Western All'Italiana.Rating: 18/40
bensonmum2
I would love to briefly explain the plot of It Can Be Done, Amigo, but I don't think I'm capable. It almost defies words with its bizarreness. I'll give it a stab though. Bud Spencer is Coburn, the opposite of what I normally associate with the hero of a Spaghetti Western (SW). He's miles away from the image of the svelte Man with No Name. Coburn is a big man who looks like he may crush the horse he rides. He doesn't carry a gun, but relies on his powerful fists to defend himself. He is entrusted with safely delivering a young boy to his home after the boy's uncle dies. The trip won't be easy as hot on Coburn's heels is a wagon carrying the woman (Dany Saval) who insists on marrying Coburn, her brother (Jack Palance) who wants to kill Coburn, and the brother's traveling brothel. Once Coburn and the boy reach the boy's home, it seems that everyone in town, including the town's Mayor/Sheriff/Minister, is anxious to get it away from him, whether by buying it or killing to get it. Coburn's got to figure out a way to help the boy keep his land all the while staying one move ahead of his betrothed, her brother, and the Mayor/Sheriff/Minister who will stop at nothing to get the homestead.Whew! That was difficult. But as confusing and crazy as the plot may sound, in the end, it all makes sense. Bud Spencer, as he proved in his many films with Terence Hill, has a flair for comedy and most of it works. Sure, there are a few misfires along the way, but you can generally count on Spencer to deliver. I cannot say the same for Jack Palance. Unlike almost every other review I've read on It Can Be Done, Amigo, I don't care for Palance in this film. His constant grimaces and sneering really didn't work for me. The rest of the cast is okay with Dany Saval giving a standout supporting performance.As much fun as I had with parts of this film, I can't rate it any higher because of the sluggish first act. The movie starts off at a snails pace and I was really worried I might fall asleep if something didn't happen soon. A little better pacing throughout It Can Be Done, Amigo might have gone a long way to making this a truly memorable SW.
Mark-371
Ivan Coburn (Spencer) deflowered the sister of the fastest gun around, Sonny.(Jack Palance) Sonny wants Coburn to marry his sister so she wont live in shame, and then Sonny wants to kill Coburn. During all this Coburn has to take care of a small boy named Chip Anderson whos uncle died from a gun shot. I laughed alot during this movie....many fights and one liners....This movie was much better than I thought it would be. I think it's for Terence Hill and Bud Spencer fans only...or if you like the whole sphagetti western thing. There is something unusal in this film....there's a guy who pays 2 dollars for a bucket if dirt..and then he eats it!!??? (he's looking for soil with oil in it.) The start to this is also funny.....Coburn complains to his horse through the whole credits because it wont move, but when he sees a man with a gun the horse jumps to it's feet!My vote is 6/10. A good movie for people who like "They call me Trinity" style movies!
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