There are many westerns in the history of cinema, and even more books have been written about this genre and its place in the history of film. However, few have focused on spaghetti westerns, as the Italian westerns are called (European westerns, more accurately, since most are co-productions of Italy with Spain, France, and Germany primarily). These productions, which exceed 400, were filmed within a 15-year period and became the exclusive commodity-material of a series of neighborhood or central, mostly popular, cinemas throughout Europe, nurturing a generation of viewers before most of them were drawn away by the small screen and the comfort of the sofa.

“For Homer, 'myth' means a verbal interaction between gods and heroes. In ancient Greece, myth is the narrative that requires no proof or logical argumentation. Today, 'myth' refers to the embellishment or exaggeration of reality, the reflection, but also a true story from which all imperfections have been erased. In any case, a free translation of dreamlike situations. These situations are dealt with and described by spaghetti films, more than by any other cinematic genre.” (Umberto Eco)

“Cinema should be spectacle, as that’s what the audience demands. And for me, the most beautiful spectacle is one that deals with a myth, with a good story.” (Sergio Leone)

“Spaghetti westerns have all the ingredients of quality: Boldness, inventiveness, rhythm, memorable music, spectacle, humanity, humor, adventure. In conclusion: They are 100% cinema. And it is what we love about the genre even today.” (Clint Eastwood)

“I am a child of the western, as a director and, above all, as a fan.” (Enzo G. Castellari)