A Fistful of Dynamite

Two scenes are missing from this version. The scene where Juan meets one of the leaders of the revolution is sorely missed as it gives added depth to the story, as well as balancing out the movie somewhat in terms of its main themes.

Even with the missing parts, this is still (in my opinion) one of Sergio Leone's best movies. The interaction between the two main characters is excellent, and Leone is on top form as he shows how each of the main characters are changed by the influences of the other.

Unlike Sergio Leone's other 'Spaghetti Westerns', this one is a bit more cerebral, and tends to focus more on character development and to a certain extent on political philosophy. Some don't like this, but I find that out of all of Leone's movies, this is the one that I always find myself coming back to, which is why I finally purchased it on videotape.

I hope that sometime in the near future, this forgotten classic will be reissued in widescreen DVD format, and restored to its original length. As I said before, the deleted scenes help the story, and widescreen format is essential, given Leone's penchant for super close-ups.


A-1 Sergio Leone western, great Coburn & Steiger roles too!   November 2, 2002
K. Corn (Indianapolis,, IN United States)
21 out of 23 found this review helpful

I hadn't seen this film in years but it was showing the other night when I was at my mother's house. We were both riveted by it and I suddenly remembered seeing thie Sergio Leone movie as a kid and being haunted by the music as well as the plot. The plot involves an Irish revolutionary who is experienced in blowing things up who escapes the law in Ireland, goes on the lam and ends up in Mexico, only to be taken in by a bunch of criminals (the boss played to perfection by Rod Steiger) who nickname Coburn "Firecracker" for his amazing skill with dynamite. The whole bunch is, in turn, caught up in the Mexican Revolution.
I know this was supposed to be a part of a trilogy by Leone but this movie stands alone just fine. Both Coburn and Steiger play guys who are, at first, totally self-interested and then begin to need each other but so slowly that it is completely believable. Nothing seems inevitable in this movie and saccharine, sentimental and schlocky this movie is not.
After watching this, I just wondered: WHY don't they make movies like this anymore, not only full of action and pure macho (there are plenty of those movies still being made) but the kind of male characters that have some depth, heart and believable, unique personalities?


"You can't leave now, you're a great, grand, glorious hero of the revolution..."   July 14, 2007
Michael Crane (Orland Park, IL USA)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

"Duck, You Sucker" (also known as "A Fistful of Dynamite") is one of those films you need to watch a couple of times before you can fully appreciate it. It's another Western epic from Sergio Leone, yet it is extremely different from his famous "Man with No Name" trilogy. Filled with more deep personal conflicts, transformations and revelations, this makes for one entertaining film.

Juan is a despicable thief and sometimes murderer who's not afraid to get his hands a little dirty if it means getting goods and money for he and his family. John is an Irish Revolutionary who has expertise in blowing just about anything up to smithereens. When Juan sees the man in action, he gets the idea that John could help him empty out the bank of his dreams. With Juan's trigger finger and John's dynamite tossing, how could it go wrong? The only thing is Juan ends up getting himself involved in an unexpected revolution that he never wanted to be a part of, and for better or worse the two end up forming a very odd bond and team.

I wouldn't call this my favorite Leone film, but it is one I find myself watching again and again. There's just something very appealing about it, and that's no easy feat when you really set out to have your main guy, Rod Steiger who plays "Juan," to be as despicable and vile as they come. Within the first 10 minutes or so, we see him kill somebody, rob a group of snobs and even rape a woman snob (though the rape isn't violent and is relatively short, it still is rape). I really thought there was no way in hell I would be able to sympathize for a character like that, but I knew there was the great James Coburn who could make the movie work for me. Surprise, Leone really does actually get you to care about Juan as you see him grow and mature through this little quest (he's still very flawed and shallow at times, but the growth and transformation is undeniable). And Colburn, who plays "John," is also not without his many flaws, as he's a tortured soul who can't seem to let go of the past. The two men are absolutely fantastic in their roles.

This new 2-Disc edition of "Duck, You Sucker" includes the complete 157 minute version that wasn't shown in the U.S., which includes a lot of extended scenes and flashbacks (most noticeably the three minute flashback at the end that was usually trimmed down to keep the flow and avoid confusion). The movie looks and sounds great, and if you're afraid the 5.1 surround will ruin the authenticity or credibility of the film, you can always watch it in mono. There are some nice featurettes and a commentary from a film historian, Sir Christopher Frayling.

"Duck, You Sucker" has a great balance of action, comedy, drama and even heart at times. Again, I don't know if I would call this his best film, but it is definitely one of Sergio Leone's more entertaining films. I'd say put this on your list at some point, especially if you're a huge film buff, as it is a very different movie experience. So sit down, grab some popcorn and enjoy the show, but beware if at some point in your living room you hear a fuse and some stranger in the distance yelling, "Duck, you sucker!" -Michael Crane


Widescreen Uncut DVD please   February 29, 2000
Zuran (england)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful

Although not quite as good as Once Upon A Time In The West and The Good The Bad and the Ugly, this is still a masterpiece and remains Italian cinema's best depiction of the Mexican revolution. Leone's landscape panoramas and his unrivalled close-ups, Morricone's fantasic music (his score is right-up there with his all time best - buy the CD) and great, larger than life performances by Steiger and Coburn contribute to the fun. "Where there's revolution, there's confusion. And where there's confusion a man who knows what he wants stand a good chance of getting it".

My favourites - the scene in which Coburn watches the execution of the revolutionaries intercut with a flashback of killing his best friend (played by Lucio Fulci horror star David Warbeck) in Ireland and the scene in which Steiger robs the bank opening door after door to find revolutionaries instead of money to the accompanyment of a Morricone tune steadily building in crescendo.

But this is the cut PG rated version and is also pan and scanned - the uncut version, which is about 17 minutes longer, was released on laserdisc a couple of years ago and surely DVD is crying out for a widescreen, uncut release. Where is it ?


Italian restored DVD release far exceeds the MGM R2 DVD   April 14, 2004
Tuco (Phoenix, Az USA)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Possibly my favorite of the Leone films. Please note that the R2 Italian restored DVD release of this film is FAR superior to the R2 Uk release in terms of both picture and sound. Look for the screenshot comaprisons on the web, they're out there. The Italians have fully restored the picture and have remastered the soundtrack in 5.1 dolby but unfortunately is in the Italian language only with NO subtitles whatsoever. The Italian release also includes a short documentary on Leone as well. Let's just hope that the powers that be can 'acquire' the Italian restored transfer for the Region 1 release. The films of Sergio Leone deserve nothing less...