Rafran Cinematografica, Euro International Film (EIA), San Miura
Rod Steiger, James Coburn, Romolo Valli, Maria Monti, Rik Battaglia, Franco Graziosi, Antoine Saint-John, David Warbeck, Giulio Battiferri
This is the story of two John’s. Sean (James Coburn) and Juan (Rod Steiger). Sean is an Irish Revolutionary and an explosive expert on the run in Mexico and a wanted man. Juan is the head of a bandit family who’s dream is to accomplish what his father failed to do, to rob the bank of Mesa Verde. This is an odd pair, as they each look for what they want and disregard the other. Of course if helping each other is to their benefit, they will do it, and these guys keep bumping into each other.
Every now and then I like to throw in an odd tidbit or hidden gem. This is certainly one. In the 1971 the Spaghetti Western (old west films done in Europe, mostly Italy, but some of the greatest western stories ever told) was king of the box office. These Spaghetti Western films made mega stars from the likes of Clint Eastwood, but also made household names of the Terrance Hill/Bud Spencer guys from They call me Trinity and brought some of the classics like A Fistful of Dollars, The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, and many, many others. This is much lesser known, but is also a very classic and quite funny western. James Coburn became really big, and did a great job as the IRA fugitive Sean, on the run, riding his motor scooter around blowing things up. But the real master of this film is Rod Steiger, not so Mexican, but able to play the role of a bandit leader with the best of them. What a fantastic job. Some of the funniest segments of this movie are Rod Steiger talking to himself and trying to figure out how he got roped into something that he didn’t mean to. He’s like Ricky Ricardo when Lucy is on her game, or Oliver Hardy when he says, “Well this is another fine mess you got me in to.”
This film was renamed “A Fistful of Dynamite” for some odd reason, and there is also a short version with more than 1/4 of the film cut out. Be sure to watch the original 2 1/2 hour version if you get the chance. It’s a very enjoyable film, and one that gives you a lot of reason to laugh for weeks afterward. I saw this film in 1971 when it came out. It started a life long admiration of James Coburn’s work. But it is available on Netflix “Watch Instantly” and they have the full 2 hour 1/2 version that I saw in the Philippines in 1971. I have not been able to see the original full length version in all these years, and it was like revisiting an old friend. If you’ve ever been a fan of the Spaghetti Western genre, this is a must see. It may be one of those hidden classics that you missed. If so, it’s a great Saturday afternoon instant queue filler. Great film. Great statement on “revolution” in general.
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