Blood at Sundown (German: Sartana; ) is a Spaghetti Western film directed by Alberto Cardone. The film is notable as the primary inspiration for the Sartana film series, starring Gianni Garko as a antiheroic incarnation of the villainous character he previously portrayed in Blood at Sundown.

Plot

Johnny Liston heads back to his hometown after 12 years in jail, during which time his ruthless brother Sartana (Garko) has taken over control of the town. Johnny is determined to battle Sartana and bring him to justice.

Cast

Release

Blood at Sundown was released in Italy as 1000 dollari sul nero on 18 December 1966.

Legacy

The character of Sartana proved to be so popular that when Blood at Sundown was released in Germany, it was re-titled to simply Sartana. On noting the film's success, Italian producer Aldo Addobbati and a German producer wanted Garko to continue making films as the Sartana character, but as a hero rather than a villain, with the actor accepting a contract to star as Sartana in several Spaghetti Western films, with a clause granting him script approval; looking to portray a different type of character compared to those he had played in Ten Thousand Dollars for a Massacre and Per 100.000 dollari ti ammazzo, which were not very popular with audiences, Garko turned down several scripts with a vengeance theme, before accepting one by Renato Izzo envisioning Sartana as a smart, non-sentimental character that profits by putting himself between two rival groups, which would become If You Meet Sartana Pray for Your Death.