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Drama Cult Classic

A vengeful ranch-hand returns with a new set of skills and unfinished business in the wild west.

AWKWARD HANDS

1970 · 1h 33m · NR · Drama / Western · IMDB TMDB

Peter is whipped (twice) and chased away from his sweetheart, but his rescuer leaves him with a Chinese master who teaches him how to seek revenge on his tormentors.

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Vault Note

From the vault: Not all Eurowesterns come with this much rope.

Programmer's Pick

If you like your revenge westerns with a side of bare-chested male bondage and rain-soaked drama, Awkward Hands delivers. Peter’s transformation from naive ranch-hand to gun-slinging avenger is punctuated by a stint with a mysterious Chinese master, just to keep things spicy. This isn’t your average Eurowestern—expect whippings, brothel intrigue, and plenty of man-tied-up moments.

— SassyFlix Programmer
Quick Answer
What is Awkward Hands about?

Awkward Hands is a 1970 Italy-Spain drama western directed by Rafael Romero Marchent about a ranch-hand named Peter who, after being whipped and cast out for courting his boss’s daughter, returns to seek revenge and reclaim his lost love.

Details & Specs
Director
Rafael Romero Marchent
Writers
Santiago Moncada, Joaquín Romero Hernández
Release
1970
Runtime
1h 33m
Country
Italy, Spain
Language
Spanish
Genres
Drama, Western
Also Known As
Clumsy Hands, When Satan Grips the Colt, La venganza de Manos Torpes, Quando Satana impugnò la Colt, Original title: Manos torpes

Synopsis

Peter, a naive ranch-hand, courts Dorothy Warren, daughter of the ranch’s owner. Mr. Warren finds out, gives Peter a whipping, and throws him off the ranch. A defiant Dorothy follows after Peter. Two of Warren’s henchmen soon catch up with the lovers and haul them back to the ranch. Peter gets a second whipping and to spare him from more lashes, Dorothy agrees to marry Johnny, a nearby rancher who controls the water flowing into Warren’s land. Peter is once more driven from the ranch and he spends a year away from it, learning how to use a gun. When he returns, he finds Dorothy has not married Johnny but is now working in a brothel. Peter confronts Warren and then Johnny as he tries to win Dorothy back.

Why Cult

Revenge Western Twist

The plot pivots on Peter's harsh exile and his year-long journey to master vengeance before storming back into the lives of his tormentors.

Eurowestern Flair

Shot in Spain and Italy, this spaghetti western blends classic wild west tropes with European sensibilities—including a brothel detour and a Chinese mentor.

Bare-Chested Bondage

Expect more than one scene of Peter tied up, whipped, and left to contemplate his fate—this film doesn't skimp on the physical punishment.

Rain and Nightmares

Storms, rain-soaked showdowns, and dream sequences give the film an atmospheric edge rare in the genre.

Questions from the Vault

What is Awkward Hands about? +

Awkward Hands follows Peter, a ranch-hand who is whipped and exiled for loving the boss’s daughter, only to return a year later with new skills and a thirst for revenge.

When was Awkward Hands released? +

Awkward Hands was released in 1970.

Who directed Awkward Hands? +

Awkward Hands was directed by Rafael Romero Marchent.

How long is Awkward Hands? +

Awkward Hands has a runtime of 93 minutes.

What genre is Awkward Hands? +

Awkward Hands is a drama western.

Where can I watch Awkward Hands? +

You can watch Awkward Hands on SassyFlix.

Themes & Keywords

Murder Violence Blood Death Revenge Cigarette Smoking Explosion Flashback Prostitute Corpse Serial Killer Husband Wife Relationship Shot To Death Fight Chase Dead Body