Duck, You Sucker
Two daredevils battle for a fortune in gold, and it will take an army to stop them!
Overview
At the beginning of the 1913 Mexican Revolution, greedy bandit Juan Miranda and idealist John H. Mallory, an Irish Republican Army explosives expert on the lam from the British, fall in with a band of revolutionaries plotting to strike a national bank. When it turns out that the government has been using the bank as a hiding place for illegally detained political prisoners -- who are freed by the blast -- Miranda becomes a revolutionary hero against his will.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Often overlooked compared to Leone's 'Dollars Trilogy', 'Duck, You Sucker' is a more overtly political film. It reflects the director's leftist leanings and critiques the romanticized view of revolution, highlighting the often brutal and chaotic reality of such movements. The film also alludes to the Mexican Revolution and explores themes of social injustice relevant to the political climate of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
- Rod Steiger's performance as Juan Miranda, a charismatic and complex Mexican bandit.
- The epic scope and visual spectacle characteristic of Sergio Leone's filmmaking, with breathtaking landscapes and explosive action sequences.
- The exploration of complex themes such as revolution, betrayal, and the exploitation of the working class.
- The film's blend of humor, violence, and heartfelt emotion, creating a unique and engaging viewing experience.
Fun Facts
- The film was originally titled 'A Fistful of Dynamite' and has gone through several title changes.
- Sergio Leone originally wanted Clint Eastwood to play John Mallory, but Eastwood was unavailable.
- The bridge sequence, a key set piece, was inspired by the bridge collapse during the Spanish Civil War.