"Porgi l'altra guancia" or "The Two Missionaries" is a French/Italian co-production from 1974, so this film is moving closer to its 50th anniversary now and let's hope that, with many of the cast and crew gone already, lead actor Terence Hill (who interestingly got first credit over Spencer here) is gonna live to see this day. The movie runs for slightly over 1.5 hours and is in the Italian language of course in the original. The number of alternate titles we have for this one shows how famous Bud Spencer movies still are and also have been back then, but the second title I mentioned in the English language is listed without the addition UK or USA, which shows that in the English-language countries that deffine the movie industry, he has never been a thing. Their loss I suppose. The director is Franco Rossi this time and he is also one of really many writers in charge of the screenplay here. I would not say it is an excellent film or screenplay, but good enough and definitely no case of too many cooks spoiling the brother. Those many, many viewers back in the 1970s here in Germany who went to the theater to check this one out would agree. Take a look at the awards section for evidence. If there was any foreign project back then that almost always resulted in a guaranteed Golden Screenn, then it's something that includes Bud Spencer. But how can you not like the gruff bearded big man. He is certainly part of my childhood and I am eager to atch more stuff from him in the future and review his movies. Or rewatch I should say as I have probably seen almost all of them. Sadly, even here in Germany, his films are now on television that often anymore. At least if we are talking about the free channels. Shame. Especially looking at a lot of the other garbage that is constantly shown. Anyway, so I was even more thrilled today to get the chance to see one of his movies on the big screen at a movie theater. There were like ten other people in the room and that is an okay number I suppose. What I liked especially was that apparently some parents or grandparents took their kids to the theater to show them this film we have here and maybe hoped a bit that it could turn into a part of their offspring's youth just like it as a part of their own youth. And of mine. No need for a kid to check this one out again. As for the cast, here you see that it is an Italian co-production with France because the performers are a mix of both countries, even if the two leads Pedersoli and Girotti are of course Italian. I cannot say too much about the other cast members, but that is nothing new for Spencer movies. They don#t want us to forget who the star here is. Still most of the actors are fairly experienced themselves. Or were. May they rest in peace. However, Robert Loggia is one where I recognize at least the name. Close to a big name and he has solid recognition value too playing a main antagonist here. Well, nothing shocking because almost all other actors in here are antagonists of some kind.

These antagonists come from very different backgrounds. Be it the Brits who are just included very briefly and do not seem to be the smartest as they indeed stay away from the ship because of an alleged highly contagious disease. Be it the locals who treat the natives really poorly, but get their fair share for that in terms of fist punches. Or be it the Church in fact, who is where our two heroes originate (well, one of them only as we find out eventually), but even the Church not only does not give the characters any money to do something honorable, but even gets pretty mad when they realize that Spencer's character is too close with the nnatives and accepted by them as a friend instead of seen as a savior or something. So the result is that neither of the two is associated with the Church anymore in the end. A bit surprising, but not surprising that the two reunite despite their constant banter and poking fun at each other, like Hill's character calls Spencer's an ugly gorilla or something constantly. The other way around is more difficult because Hill is fairly handsome. No denying there, even for me as a straight male. The fact that Spencer and Hill when he is around help the not so priviliged regardless of color, class and money is pretty common. Spencer does that in many films when he is on his own too. Almost a bit of a recurring Robin Hood character actor you could say. A modern version obviously. Still with the fun fights where the two never really get in trouble unless they are up against each other, this is still 100% comedy. The gun action is kept to a minimum. Oh yeah, the two main characters also help a trio of people who have gotten the death sentence from the bad guys. And even with all the poking between the two main characters, they kinda care for each other, well at least Hill's for Spencer's as you can see with the casino action and the big prize. Very surprised though Spencer's character got a clue what was going on because he seemed so innocently happy and delighted that he actually won. Quite a pity in fact. His joy was maybe the sweetest moment of the film. The funniest for me was 100% when Hill's character tells the trio doomed for death to always respond with "no" and then Spencer's character asks them something like "do you wanna die with a clien conscience at least?" as they are supposed to confess their sins before their deaths and they say "no". I don't know why I found it this funny, but I did. That scene would get a perfect 10 out of 10 from me. Many others would get a 7 or 8 like when Buddy has the one evil guy do the punching for him to avoid getting beaten again. Also it must be said that parrots are severely underrepresented here given the plot. But yeah, what else can I say. i think you should watch this film, but I am positive you can decide for yourself as I doubt you have never seen anything by Spencer (and/or Hill) if you are here on this page and consider giving it a go. These films just have charm. The music is maybe a bit more on the forgettable side this time, especially if you compare it to peak oliver Onions stuff. Also virtually no female characters in here, but that is nothing unusual for Spencer films either. And not really any flirting for Hill this time. So if you are about a serious film about missionaries, go for De Niro's and Irons' "The Mission", but if you are in the mood for something lighter, then this one we have here is certainly a good choice. I give it a thumbs-up, even if it is probably not among my favo Spencer films. Still, it is just impossible to dislike his works. Rather sad that he did (from what I've read) at the end of his life because he brought joy into so many hearts with his work. Don't miss out on this man and his body of work. It will make you smile a lot, probably even make you laugh a lot as well, not just the two. The bald thief early on, the henchman bidding randomly 400 it was I think and the high-profile church guy grinning were fun as well. But my biggest appreciation goes to the gorilla obviously. Thanks, Buddy!