Western enthusiasts are hailing one "overlooked" film as "the greatest" the genre has to offer, and the 1971 classic airs on ITV this evening. A Fistful of Dynamite, also known as Duck, You Sucker! and Once Upon a Time... the Revolution, is directed by Sergio Leone and features Rod Steiger and James Coburn.
A Second Instalment in Leone's Trilogy
The film is the second instalment in Leone's unofficial Once Upon a Time trilogy, sitting between Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) and Once Upon a Time in America (1984). Leone returned behind the camera following The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, initially intending to adapt the novel The Hoods, which eventually became Once Upon a Time in America.
After Clint Eastwood turned down the leading role, Bronson took over, marking the inaugural entry in Leone's acclaimed Once Upon a Time trilogy, reports the Express.
Plot and Critical Praise
The story centres on a strip of land with a patch of water, which rail baron Morton wants badly, recognising the new railroad must pass through there. He dispatches his enforcer Frank to intimidate the landowner, McBain, but Frank murders him instead and frames notorious bandit Cheyenne for the crime.
The film is universally considered amongst the finest Westerns and one of the greatest films ever produced, claiming the top position on IMDb's list of "The 100 Greatest Western Movies of All Time: Including Five You've Never Heard of".
One Rotten Tomatoes critic observed: "I don't understand how Leone is not in the pantheon of the greatest film makers of all time. The attention to detail, the historic accuracy... there is even class consciousness in his stories. I've seen his films many times and they still surprise me."
Another said: "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- marvellous, 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 Spaggetti Western's effectiveness given the latter's SCI-Fi context and modern technical effects."
Broadcast Details
A Fistful of Dynamite airs on ITV3 tonight at 9pm.
