Film Movement has acquired all North American distribution rights to the classic 1968 spaghetti western The Great Silence.

The deal was brokered by president of Film Movement Michael E Rosenberg and Oliver Bachert of Beta Cinema. Following its 2K HD theatrical release of Mexican auteur Arturo Ripstein’s feature film debut Time To Die, Film Movement will bring The Great Silence to North American screens for the very first time, with a blu-ray and digital release to follow.

Set in Snow Hill, Utah (but shot in Italy’s rugged Dolomites), during an unforgiving and bone chilling winter near the end of the 19th century, The Great Silence opens on a group of bloodthirsty bounty hunters, led by the vicious Loco, as they prey on a band of persecuted outlaws who’ve taken to the hills. As the price on each head is collected one-by-one, only a mute gunslinger named Silence stands between the innocent refugees and the greed and corruption that the bounty hunters represent. But, in this harsh, brutal world, the lines between right and wrong aren’t always clear and good doesn’t always triumph.

Sergio Corbucci directed the film, which stars Jean-Louis Trintignant, Klaus Kinski and Vonetta McGee.

“The Great Silence is widely considered to be one of the best and most influential spaghetti westerns ever made,” Rosenberg said. “Following our experiences releasing Time To Die in the states for the very first time, we’re excited to saddle up to bring yet another restored classic western to North American moviegoers, certain to be thrilled by Corbucci’s masterful dark vision.”

In addition to The Great Silence, Film Movement has also recently acquired Atsuko Hiryanagi’s offbeat romantic comedy Oh Lucy!, Oren Jacoby’s street art documentary Shadwoman, and Laurie Simmons’ feature film debut My Art.