Duck, You Sucker (1971) Directed by Sergio Leone

Nick
"THE REVOLUTION IS NOT A SOCIAL DINNER, A LITERARY EVENT, A DRAWING OR AN EMBROIDERY; IT CANNOT BE DONE WITH ... ELEGANCE AND COURTESY. THE REVOLUTION IS AN ACT OF VIOLENCE ... " MAO TSE-TUNG
This quote is the first thing we see in Leone's Duck, You Sucker (aka: A Fistful of Dynamite or Once Upon A Time.... A Revolution). Having re-invented the Western genre in the mid 60's with The Dollars Trilogy through candid, cool realism and violence, Leone followed these films with the creation of the Western Opera with Once Upon A Time In The West. With Duck, You Sucker he arguably invented the political Western. Often regarded as the middle film of the trilogy that makes up West/America, Duck,You Sucker is the least celebrated of Leone's post Dollars movies. It's rarely seen and was a commercial flop at the time. American audiences didn't understand the left leaning politics and the subtle emotion. Leone was hurt by it's failure and didn't make another film for over a decade after it's release. It's hard to understand as this is a breathtaking, wonderfully realized epic. I love this film. The times I've watched it, the emotional thrust of the film always creeps up on me, as if I'd forgotten it was there.
The film in essence is about the friendship that forms between an IRA terrorist and explosives expert John Mallory (James Coburn) and Juan Miranda (Rod Steiger), a Mexican bandit who leads his family in robbing the rich. Mallory is on the run in Mexico and wanted by the British government for terrorist crimes. Juan, not really bothered about any revolutionary ideals, feels Mallory with his explosive tricks can help him rob the bank of a small Mexican town.Through this premise the two become mixed up with and end up aiding the revolutionaries against the Mexican military junta. This is a simple synopsis, as Duck, You Sucker offers so much more.
Coburn and Steiger are both excellent in the lead roles, often portraying humor, regret and sadness within the same scene. The relationship between Mallory and Miranda is slowly built up during the film. It grows out of grudging respect, mutual regrets and dreams of a better life.
A lot of the film is just Leone's vision and Morricone's score, dialogue rarely intrudes. Has there been a better Director / Composer combination in the history of cinema? Ennio Morricone's score brings so much emotion. Leone's vision is epic, yet intimate and detailed when needed, each scene filled with rich color and texture. The first hour of the film is often crude and funny, with a gentle humor to the fore. Then a sadness takes over the film that never lets you go. Heartbreaking at times, Duck, you Sucker offers some simple, worthy political ideals. But it's real message is emphasizing the true value of friendship during adversity . A must see. Power To The People!