A Fistful of Dynamite

Sergio Leone’s acerbic revolutionary epic A Fistful of Dynamite posits the notion that, when the bullets start flying, rather than turn rashly heroic, it’s best to keep your head down.



The idiosyncrasies are there, all right, but they have never seemed less interesting.

The most wry of the political spaghettis, and wholly wonderful.

Features one of the most glorious and unforgettable scores by Leone's composer, Ennio Morricone.

The new print is good, and the 20 restored minutes are choice.

The combination of Leone's obsessive close-ups, Ennio Morricone's melodious music, and the comradely chemistry of Coburn and Steiger ignite an emotional explosion comparable to that of Once Upon a Time in the West.

Ultimately [Sergio] Leone’s epic of the Mexican revolution is a portrait in disillusion grounded in ambiguity and contradictions and the most eccentric and touching friendships in Leone’s cinema.

As with most Leone works, A Fistful of Dynamite (which also made the rounds under the monikers Duck, You Sucker and Once Upon a Time ... the Revolution) is full of sly humor and startling camerawork.

The film is overlooked, missing big name stars, and released with numerous different titles since its premiere, but it's still a memorable entry in Leone's Western pantheon.

Well, Leone still has his sense of humor.