Klaus Kinski prowls the Spaghetti West as a deranged outlaw with a kidnapping scheme.
THE BEAST
Foul, twitchy, and deranged sex maniac Johnny Laster comes up with a plan to abduct a lovely young heiress in order to obtain her considerable inheritance.
Quick Answer
The Beast is a 1970 Italian action, crime, thriller, and western film directed by Mario Costa about deranged outlaw Johnny Laster’s plan to abduct a young heiress for her inheritance.
Programmer's Pick
Klaus Kinski off the leash in a Spaghetti Western? Saddle up for an Italo crime-thriller that doesn’t so much play by the rules as burn them down and ride off with the loot. Mario Costa keeps the tension high and the morals low.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Why This Matters
This 1970 Italian Western features Klaus Kinski, whose distinctive performances contributed to the genre's international appeal, and is directed by Mario Costa, a figure in European genre cinema.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
Klaus Kinski brings his trademark intensity to the role of Johnny Laster, an outlaw whose madness is as dangerous as his gun.
This film blends classic Western iconography with Italian genre flair—expect horseback chases, shootouts, and Italo grit.
Beyond the Western setting, the plot centers on kidnapping, theft, and schemes, adding a criminal edge that keeps things unpredictable.
From arson to attempted assault, The Beast embraces the nastier side of exploitation cinema.
Scene Gallery
Threat File
Johnny Laster's kidnapping scheme
Deranged outlaw Johnny Laster
Abduction and violence for inheritance
Italian Western frontier
Questions from the Vault
When was The Beast released? +
The Beast was released in 1970.
Who directed The Beast? +
The Beast was directed by Mario Costa.
How long is The Beast? +
The Beast has a runtime of 89 minutes.
What genre is The Beast? +
The Beast is an action, crime, thriller, and western film.
Where can I watch The Beast? +
The Beast is available to stream on SassyFlix.
Trailers & Clips
