Western fans are calling one “overlooked” film “the greatest” of the genre, and the 1971 masterpiece is on ITV tonight. A Fistful of Dynamite, also known as Duck! You Sucker and Once Upon a Time... the Revolution, is directed by Sergio Leone and boasts a stellar cast including Rod Steiger and James Coburn.
Part of Leone's Once Upon a Time trilogy
The film is the second in Leone's unofficial Once Upon a Time trilogy, positioned between Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) and Once Upon a Time in America (1984). Leone chose to return to the director's chair following The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, with the intention of adapting the novel The Hoods, which ultimately became Once Upon a Time in America.
After Clint Eastwood turned down the lead role, Bronson stepped in, marking the first entry in Leone's celebrated Once Upon a Time trilogy.
Plot and critical acclaim
The story revolves around a piece of land with water on it, and rail baron Morton wants it, knowing the new railroad will have to stop there. He sends his henchman Frank to scare the land's owner, McBain, but Frank kills him instead and pins it on a known bandit, Cheyenne.
The film is widely regarded as one of the finest Westerns and among the greatest motion pictures ever made, topping IMDb's listing of “The 100 Greatest Western Movies of All Time: Including Five You've Never Heard of”.
Fan and critic reactions
One Rotten Tomatoes reviewer wrote: “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 Spaghetti 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 Spaghetti Western's effectiveness given the latter's SCI-Fi context and modern technical effects.”
A Fistful of Dynamite is on ITV3 at 9pm tonight.
