Sergio Leone’s Hidden Masterpiece: The Underrated Western You Must See

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Amongst the renowned film directors throughout cinema history, Sergio Leone stands out for having an extraordinary career that sets him apart from many others. While numerous talented directors have emerged and vanished swiftly, some enjoyed a remarkable period, then faded for various reasons. Directors like Francis Ford Coppola and William Friedkin fall into this category. However, Sergio Leone is distinctive because he significantly transformed the entire genre, followed by creating only a limited number of films afterward. Yet, the movies he did produce will be forever remembered as some of the most impactful in film history. Audiences primarily associate Sergio Leone with timeless masterpieces such as The Good, The Bad and the Ugly and Once Upon a Time in the West. When one thinks of Western films, these movies and a few others by Sergio Leone often come to mind.

Notably, Sergio Leone played a pivotal role by initiating the Spaghetti Western sub-genre with his “Dollars Trilogy,” comprising of “A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More” and “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly“. This trilogy revolutionized the aesthetics and mood of Westerns due to its distinctively European flavor and grit. Unlike American Westerns that were confined by the Hays Code, European Westerns pushed boundaries by transgressing every rule they could to differentiate themselves from traditional Westerns. Sergio Leone was among the pioneers in this approach, thereby sparking a trend of Spaghetti Westerns in Italy. Although these films did not gain significant popularity in America until much later, they laid the groundwork for other nations to produce similar movies. Surprisingly, only four Leone films from that era are often remembered when his Westerns are discussed; however, another one made in the early ’70s also deserves recognition.

Sergio Leone Made Another Great Western With Duck, You Sucker!

It Came Out After The Dollars Trilogy and Once Upon a Time In America

The 1960s marked the pinnacle of Sergio Leone’s career, as it was during this decade that he produced four iconic films. Initially, his debut film, A Fistful of Dollars, which was essentially a remake of Yojimbo, required him to establish himself due to its not being an entirely original concept. However, the movie introduced the unique cinematic style for which Leone would later be renowned. After A Fistful of Dollars, he began developing his own ideas and continued the series that was highly acclaimed. By moving past any controversy related to his debut film, he solidified his status as a visionary in cinema.

After creating another iconic film in 1968 titled “Once Upon a Time in the West”, Leone solidified his reputation as one of cinema’s greats. The four films that followed, including “Once Upon a Time in America” from the ’80s, have become synonymous with his name and are often discussed in the same breath. Collectively, these five films are Leone’s most renowned works, accounting for about 62% of his total directorial output throughout his career. It’s understandable that his early ’60s films, such as “The Colossus of Rhodes” and “Sodom and Gomorrah”, may be less memorable to fans due to their relatively lesser impact compared to these later masterpieces.

Apart from the well-known films like “Once Upon a Time in the West” and “Once Upon a Time in America,” there’s another movie by Sergio Leone that often goes unnoticed, titled “Duck, You Sucker!“. Made between these two films and more than a decade before “Once Upon a Time in America,” this film carries the signature style of a classic Leone Western. It boasts captivating character introductions and a gradual development of each character throughout a long, compelling narrative. The film is brimming with the distinctive stylistic elements found in great Leone Westerns. Moreover, it presents Rod Steiger and James Coburn in remarkable performances, while an iconic Ennio Morricone score accentuates the entire production.

Leone has always excelled at crafting epics, and with its extended length and expansive scale, “Duck, You Sucker!” is another example of his epic filmmaking. Released in 1971, it seamlessly integrated with other popular films from the early ’70s. In this movie, Steiger portrays Juan, a Mexican outlaw who seeks freedom for himself and his family instead of an entire group. Simultaneously, Coburn takes on the role of John, an Irishman in town to assist a revolution, who ultimately helps Juan discover a new sense of purpose.

Fundamentally, the movie “Duck, You Sucker!” shares characteristics with a Western due to its setting, aesthetic, and stock characters. Yet, it transcends this genre in its themes and ideas, making it something uniquely different as well.

Duck, You Sucker! Is One of the Best War Films Of the ’70s

This Separated It From Other Italian-Made Epics of Its Time

In addition to weaving another captivating tale filled with intricate characters in his film, Leone sought to convey another profound thematic message on-screen through this work. Although his earlier films were engaging on various levels, it was with “Duck, You Sucker!” that he began to tackle social issues of great significance. Previously, he subtly hinted at the idea of revolution, but in this film, he made revolution the central theme. This departure from his previous work served as a testament to Leone’s evolution as a storyteller, demonstrating depths that some may not have realized were there. It is possible that the creation of “Once Upon a Time in America” as we know it might not have occurred without the foundation laid by “Duck, You Sucker!“.

In a different tone, it can be said that all of his movies skillfully blend escapism and realism; however, “Duck, You Sucker!” seems to emphasize realism and thematic significance over his past works. From the very beginning credits, it’s evident that this story aims to shed light on oppressive governments and their adversaries. Unlike his previous films, the harsh societal issues are not veiled by entertainment but instead are presented head-on, with the oppressed being portrayed as heroes from early in the narrative. This film, while categorized as a spaghetti Western, is actually a gritty war film disguised within its genre, and the unique characters it features could easily fit into any of his earlier films.

Juan’s witty personality and swift intellect echo familiar archetypes found in Westerns, keeping fans captivated just as much. John, reminiscent of characters from Leone’s creative mind, possesses a resolute outlook, a motorbike, and is often referred to as “a fistful of dynamite.” It’s simple for fans to envision both figures meeting at various points in their lives alongside the “man with no name.” However, this story presents an unusual twist where these characters have intersected during pivotal moments in their lives. The narrative unfolds around themes of friendship and liberty as people in Mexico battle against their oppressors during the Mexican Revolution.

In essence, the film “Duck, You Sucker!” is a thrilling rollercoaster ride, filled with explosions and countless men being mowed down by gunfire. Yet, it’s not just mindless action; it carries a profound thematic depth that resonates deeply with viewers. Initially set in the Western genre, it eventually transforms into an action-adventure, brimming with emotion and humor. This blend of genres makes it one of the standout films of the ’70s, a decade known for its cinematic richness, particularly in American cinema. Director Sergio Leone subtly crafted another masterpiece with this dual-genre production, setting “Duck, You Sucker!” apart from other Spaghetti Westerns of the ’70s that were losing steam in popularity. Thus, it serves as a fitting conclusion to Leone’s career era.

Sergio Leone Only Directed One More Movie After Duck, You Sucker!

He Would Continue to Produce and Write Throughout His Career

1984 was the year when it wasn’t certain that Leone’s masterpiece would be his final directorial work; however, looking back now, we can see he fell into an intriguing category where he had a limited number of films, but each one made a significant impact during his brief period as a director. Whether the movies were box-office sensations or became enduring classics, what matters is that Leone left an indelible mark on cinema with his short yet remarkable career.

After 1984 ended, fans might ponder if Leone had any more surprises in store. Additionally, it’s worth noting that a thirteen-year gap existed between his films “Duck, You Sucker!” and “Once Upon a Time in America,” leading some to believe that the director may have retired from filmmaking or at least relinquished his role as a director.

Throughout this break, he chose to persist in writing and directing movies, a practice that became his primary method of filmmaking for the remainder of his career. Interestingly, there are several hidden masterpieces in Leone’s body of work that often get overlooked because he wasn’t in charge on set. As a producer and screenwriter, he conceived projects like “My Name Is Nobody” and “A Genius, Two Partners and a Dupe,” both well-received spaghetti Westerns from the ’70s. He also produced the successful Italian crime film “Il giocattolo” in 1979. Moreover, he worked extensively as a 2nd Unit Assistant Director on films such as “Cemetery Without Crosses.

As Leone’s career progressed, it became apparent that he discovered a deep-seated enthusiasm for work beyond the camera. Consequently, “Duck, You Sucker!” stands as his final masterpiece, and rightfully so.

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2025-05-25 03:44