A Fistful of Dynamite

This is a classic spaghetti western. James Coburn and Rod Steiger are great together. They just don't make movies like this anymore! I first saw this at the Shasta Drive In theater in Klamath Falls. Every time I see this it immediately takes me back to my childhood. Fantastic fanfare western!

In revolution-torn 1913 Mexico, outlaw Juan Miranda (Rod Steiger) leads a family of bandits, robs a coach of wealthy men, and rapes a female passenger who insulted him. Passing by on a motorcycle is John H. Mallory (James Coburn), an Irish Republican explosives expert, who works in Mexico as a silver prospector. Juan asks John (who initially states his name as "Seán") to help him rob the Mesa Verde National Bank. After John refuses, Juan frames him for the murder of his employer and several soldiers, making him a wanted criminal and offering to "protect" him in exchange for his help. John reluctantly agrees, but escapes on the way to Mesa Verde. Arriving in the city before Juan, John makes contact with revolutionaries led by physician Dr. Villega and agrees to use his explosives in their service. When Juan arrives, John inducts him into the revolutionaries' ranks. The bank is hit as part of an orchestrated attack on the Mexican army. Juan, interested only in money, is shocked to find that the bank has no funds and is instead being used by the army as a political prison. After freeing several prisoners, Juan inadvertently becomes a "glorious hero of the revolution"... "A Fistful of Dynamite" failed to gain any substantial recognition from the critics at the time of debut, especially compared to Leone's other films, though he did win the David di Donatello for Best Director. Since then, however, it has received a more favorable reception. Rotten Tomatoes critical consensus reads, "Duck, You Sucker is a saucy helping of spaghetti Western, with James Coburn and Rod Steiger's chemistry igniting the screen and Sergio Leone's bravura style on full display". The Chicago Reader praised it for its "marvelous sense of detail and spectacular effects". The New York Observer argues that Leone's direction, Morricone's score, and the leads' performances "ignite an emotional explosion comparable to that of Once Upon a Time in the West". In Mexico, where the film is known as Los Héroes de Mesa Verde, it was refused classification and effectively banned until 1979, because it was considered offensive to the Mexican people and the revolution. (Via Wikipedia) I just resaw "A Fistful of Dynamite" and my opinion has not changed towards this film. I think this is one of Sergio Leone's weakest films due to two main characters that doesn't appeal to me no matter the strong performances, specifically from Rod Steiger. Hard to follow Clint Eastwood´s incredible strong performance in Leone´s other western films. The fact that Leone has also stretched the film to eternity makes me feel that he could've cut out more of less the last hour and it wouldn't really matter. However, I love the classic Leone cinematography from Giuseppe Ruzzolini and the great settings in Andalusia, southern Spain. All the political references are clear as around the same time, political riots had broken out in Europe, and the ideals of revolution and left-wing nationalism had become popular among university students and filmmakers across Europe. Leone, who had used his previous films to deconstruct the romanticization of the American Old West, decided to use "A Fistful of Dynamite" to deconstruct the romanticized nature of revolution, and to shed light on the political instability of contemporary Italy, which of course adds several layers to the film. But, this is still one of his weaker films in my book. Trivia: It is the second film of Leone's unofficial Once Upon a Time Trilogy, which includes the previous "Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968) and the subsequent "Once Upon a Time in America" (1984). The last Western film directed by Leone, it is considered by some to be one of his most overlooked films. (Via Wikipedia)

A Western Classic. Really well directed which is no suprise and has all the hallmarks of a Leone flick. It's got a bit more comedy in it than his other works which can be a bit of a suprise. It's not really a comedy though if that makes sense. The special effects/action scenes are really good too and this has tons of production value. the music is really good as always but isn't as catchy as the dollars trilogy. My only major complaints are all on the minor side. Besides John & Juan there really isn't anoy other characters of particular interest in this. It would've benefitted with maybe more interesting supporting characters. It also feel like it's missing certain things editing wise that maybe I just missed on my own. When Juan surrenders himself to his rescue, or the history between John & his friend on the train, it feels like it just comes out of nowhere or is very abrupt. And this happens a few times consistently and it's noticeable for me. Maybe there was more and things were cut down to get the long runtime down to something closer to 2.5 hours rather than 3. But it's still really good. Anyone who is a fan of Leone, any actors in this, or westerns will like this a lot.

Filme legalzinho, o roteiro é bacana, gostei das encaradas e das cenas de tiro cara a cara, a trilha sonora é boa, nesse filme tevas muitas mais ação que outros favoroestes antigos do Sérgio leone, não é o melhor, mas com mais ação que Lguns faroestes.

One of the best movies of my childhood... My brother and I still use the term "duck you sucker!" Amazing cast... Great musical score by the master of Spaghetti Westerns... 5 sticks of dynamite!! 🧨 🧨 🧨 🧨 🧨

Having watched Sergio Leone's excellent Dollars Trilogy with Clint Eastwood, and then his Once Upon a Time in the West with Charles Bronson, I decided to try his Fistful of Dynamite with James Coburn. This might be my favorite Sergio Leone movie. It's more graphic and more emotional in many ways than the other movies. So I didn't watch it with my 11 year old boy. MY OTHER CONCLUSION is that these 5 Sergio Leone movies are better than every other western that I've watched. I watched The Magnificent Seven, High Plains Drifter, etc. All good movies but lacking that something special which Sergio Leone brings to movie making. His movies have so much more feeling, grit and art. Just great movies.

Love James Coburn. A great action film and I highly recommend this film....Bill Treakle

Another timeless classic for Sergio Leone. Not quite as good as the first movie or 3rd but still a good watch. Tim Treakle

Another Sergio Leone masterpiece. A bit unknown even I didn't know this movie but a must see for people who love the dollar trilogy and once upon a time in the west and of course once upon a time in america. This movie also goes by the title " once upon a time in the revolution" and some see this masterpiece as one of the once upon a time movies as a trilogy. This movie also goes by Leone's preferred title "duck you sucker". Perhaps the different titles make this movie less known. Go see it!!

In a few words, Serge Leone brilliant. His last directed and most politically overt film. No Clint Eastwood or Lee Van Cleef. I love those actors in Spagetti Westerns, but what Steiger and Colburn do in this movie is a modern marvel. All the emotions of war, revolution, civil unrest, criminal proclivities/motives, family bonds/family meanings, racial conflicts, are explored. These characters are malignant, yet made very human and demonstrating clear humanity. Self interest leading to heroism and back again. Back and forth, with seamless transitions. The interplay of opposing perspectives- marvelous, outstanding. What else can I say? Some may see this film as dated and lacking technical achievement. I have never since, in any movie, viewed the issues and subjects presented here done so well. No wonder Leone wanted to go out as a director with this film. It is not only overlooked; the movie is this superstar director's crowning achievement. Bravo!!!! Now I will see if in 2024, DUNE: PART 2 can come even close to this simple Spagetti Western's effectiveness given the latter's SCI-Fi context and modern technical effects.