“Go to Hell,You Scoundrels” Returns Uncut in 4K After decades of Censorship
Sergio Corbucci‘s 1973 spaghetti western,”Go to Hell,You Scoundrels” (original Italian title: Preparati la bara!),is now available uncut in 4K for the first time,restoring 20 minutes of footage previously removed by German censors. The film, starring Alain Delon, was originally heavily cut due to its graphic violence and perceived glorification of it, prompting criticism from groups like the Evangelical Film Observer, who deemed it “brutal and cynical.”
The restoration is notable as it allows modern audiences to experience Corbucci’s original vision – a complex anti-authoritarian and anti-capitalist statement disguised as a violent western. Corbucci himself intended the film as a critique of both the wealthy elite and the hippie movement, a nuance lost on many contemporary critics. The original cuts removed not only violent imagery but also scenes crucial to understanding Corbucci’s intended message.
Originally planned as a vehicle for Lee Van Cleef, the project nearly collapsed after a falling out between the actor and Corbucci. Producer Edmond Tenoudji intervened, successfully advocating for Alain Delon to take the lead role.The film features the memorable line, “Corpses pave his path,” and Delon’s character delivering the titular threat, “Go to hell, you scoundrels.”
The uncut 4K release offers a rare possibility to view a historically censored film as the director intended,providing a deeper understanding of its thematic complexities and challenging its initial critical reception. The release is available on Ultra Blu-ray via Amazon.de.
