“Trinity Is Still My Name” (1971) the real hero of the western genre

Plot

After the death of Trinity and Bambino’s father, the two brothers set out to make something of themselves to honor their father’s last wish

Capsule

Trinity Is Still My Name is the sequel to a film I adore – My Name is Trinity. The fun-loving, nonchalance of Trinity is the type of Western hero I gravitate towards rather than the ethos and mysticism of the West. Trinity (Terrence Hill) and Bambino (Bud Spencer) are two opposites of the same coin. But there’s an unspoken bond between them that doesn’t need to be communicated in words. The two different personality types allow Italian screenwriter Enzo Barboni to play around with the audience. It’s often an act in virtually every scene where both Hill and Spencer play off each other for comedic effect. It’s all played for jokes. Some land, some don’t but there’s a consistent theme running through the film. Trinity is given a romance subplot, much like the original, that goes nowhere and adds very little to his journey. The performances are genuinely funny, but Hill and Yanti Sohmer have such little chemistry together. We want more Bambino and Trinity, less distracting romance subplots. The film devolves into a series of badly designed joke setups and doesn’t have close to the staying power as the original. Mostly a miss from Barboni, but I will continue the Trinity journey as he rides away on the back of a dirty horse, sliding across the hot desert sand en route to his next destination.

Notes

Film opens with Bud Spencer (Bambino) in a wide shot on the open desert. Finds a group of travelers, threatens them with an unloaded gun, gains their trust, asks for some bullets as a friendly bystander, robs them all. Obvious but hilarious joke set up. Same start to this film as the original – with beans.
Later, Trinity shows up to the same group of mountain bandits and tricks them all into beating each other up and – eating their beans. Hilarious bit that works quite well. Terence Hill is great in these comedic roles.
“You’d steal from a beggar” “why not?” (Bambino)
The opening credits “Trinity” song is fucking grand. Easy going, feel food song with Trinity, of course, traversing the desert on the back of a horse. Asleep. Beautiful homage to the original.
Trinity and Bambino show up to their parents house, or someone masquerading as their parents. A lady with ridiculous paint on makeup but a raucous personality.
- Bud Spencer, in a comedic sense, looks so menacing. He makes you laugh through the anger. Terrence Hill is just incredibly goofy. I genuinely love him in the role of Trinity.
- The idea of Bud Spencer being these people’s kids is obtuse. There’s no way.
- Spencer and Hill truly do act as brothers. Easily angered by one another, with a funny unspoken bond that both reluctantly follow. Bambino as the older, protective brother is the perfect dynamic
- “Let him kick the bucket in peace”
Trinity’s many saddle contraptions that allow him to sit back and sleep, hat down over his eyes, are what make him such a great character. A full-on commitment to living the simple life, but always ready to strike
Bambino and Trinity, outlaws with a heart of gold. A western archetype that I love. It’s still the harsh west with softened edges. Trinity is easily influenced by his emotions and Bambino has a soft spot for people.

“Strangest pair of outlaws I’ve ever seen” as a wagon holdup goes awry and the brothers fix the wagon and lend the people some money
The only way I can describe the production design is atypical western. Many master shots around tables – poker or dinner – and then the main street of town with building exteriors and a saloon. Followed by wide shots of mountainous ranges and desert. Nicely composed but nothing special happening aesthetically.
- On the other hand, the costume designs are banging. Of course, Trinity is a dirty mess and they emphasize that with his wardrobe choice of the same dirty shirt. But my god, the men at the poker game are rocking some real elaborate styles. Colorful and unique.
- I adore all the different hats they put on Trinity. He even dons a bowlers cap at one point
I love how Hill makes the character appear incompetent in everyday life but is incredibly competent when it comes to his gunplay. He’s too cool. Nonchalance comes naturally and no threatening situations really feel dangerous with his carefree face and behavior. The body language is freeing.
Trinity and Bambino put on suits, as a bit. Hill squirms and is incredibly uncomfortable in the attire (there’s no excess of dirt anywhere). Two uncivilized brutes entire high society and bringing along their brazen attitudes and manners

Much like the first film, the plot is made up of basic, nonessential scenes that speak to the mood and themes rather than any forward moving story. A weird character study of two unorthodox yet totally familiar western protagonists. It’s situational writing.
Trinity lights a man’s cigarette by shooting the tip of it. Absurd theater that almost feels satirical – love this stupid movie
The fight choreography is better than expected and Hill’s physicality stands out. He uses props around him well.
The romance between Trinity and the Wagon girl is not good. The chemistry is off. It doesn’t fit within the context of the film either. I get why it’s included, but it’s more so the awkward direction. I’m assuming she returns later for a happily ever after.
She’s back. The feeling still doesn’t feel quite right.
As much as this film series is the lowest of consequences or concepts, the carefree attitude is simply a delight