Für ein paar Dollar mehr

The year 1965 was a turning point in world cinema. A year after his gun-slinging western debut, Sergio Leone added a few more bucks on top, embarking on a long line of “übermovies". Admittedly in the shadow of the two following movies, but even so it is a simply perfect piece. Ennio is also at his creating zenith and what his music manages to do with a scene that is already perfect is simply amazing. For instance, the “watch" duel in the ruins of the church... To help things, the casting is simply wonderful. The central duo needs no mention, but it would be a sin not to highlight Gian Maria Volanté in the role of El India. This is simply one of those MUST SEE pictures. Adios. (03.02.2008)

Sergio Leone had a great gift. After just a few minutes of the usual silence, he takes the cigar out of his mouth and I tremble, hoping that the paths of the two gunmen finally cross. And when it happens, and the motivations of the characters start adding fuel to the fire, I must shockingly admit that if any of the director's epics come close to the legendary Once Upon a Time in the West in terms of quality, it's these few dollars more. The symbiosis of image and Ennio Morricone's music doesn't quite reach perfection yet, but it's damn close. (28.08.2016)

I have resolved the dilemma of whether A Fistful of Dollars or For a Few Dollars is better because I consider the second film to be more mature. Leone had already found his style by that point and he had refined his collaboration with Ennio Morricone to the point that there isn't much to criticize about the direction and overall filmmaking craftsmanship of the film. Sergio Leone's merit is in revitalizing the dying western genre by tarnishing it, lightening it with comedic elements, creatively working with genre stereotypes, and imprinting characters on previously interchangeable supporting roles. In short, he made it more entertaining. On the other hand, his early westerns have issues in their screenplays. When you look at the motivation of his heroes and their thought processes, you have a collection of unique idiots in front of you. If the main villain Callaway possessed ideas such as releasing his prisoners to eliminate members of his gang, he probably wouldn't have survived puberty. Leone simply made undemanding B-grade movies for the mass audience and, unfortunately for him, he had ambitions to move toward more serious filmmaking statements and more serious genres, which happened with his legendary film Once Upon a Time in America. That says something about the film industry and its viewers, not about Sergio Leone. Overall impression: 65%. (12.10.2011)

A memory: I’m about 13-14 years old and I’m resting on the sofa after a hearty lunch. Dad is watching a western on TV and I have half an eye on it too. Then that melody of the pocket watch began to chime and totally captivated me. I couldn’t get it out of my head for like ten years... For a few dollars more is a story about Lee Van Cleef’s Colonel Mortimer than about Clint’s Monk with the snappy lines, but they are given more or less the same amount of room. Leone raises his standard, develops the main characters more and offers a higher quality plot. Really, really good. (06.09.2009)

Eine Form des Erzählstils aus Spiel mir das Lied vom Tod, "Jemand trachtet jemandem anderen nach dem Leben, aber erst am Ende wird erzählt, warum eigentlich“ nutzte Leone bereits in diesem Film. Es scheint, als spielte Clints Joe in Für ein paar Dollar mehr nur die zweite Geige … Aber das kann er einfach nicht und ist großartig und zieht wie immer die Aufmerksamkeit auf sich. P.S.: Van Cleef ist traditionell natürlich ebenfalls gut, aber als Bösewicht gefällt er mir noch besser. P.P.S. Ich empfehle, sich die Soundtracks der Filme Für eine Handvoll Dollar, Für ein paar Dollar mehr und Zwei glorreiche Halunken hintereinander anzuhören. Wie Morricone seine Musik im Laufe der Zeit weiterentwickelt und perfektioniert, wie er einzelne Motive miteinander verbindet und aus ihnen ein unvergessliches Werk erschafft, verdient unglaubliche Bewunderung. (18.09.2007)

Once again, the flawless Leone and his other contribution to the highlights of the western genre, which stands a little unfairly in the shadow of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. In addition to the traditionally excellent direction, script and music, the film is mainly driven by Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef, who, as two rival bounty hunters, create a dangerous and "hellishly fast" central duo that I definitely wouldn't want to cross paths with. The story is not as extensive as in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, but everything is made up for by the perfect atmosphere full of charged colts, delicious man-on-man fights and the character of the two mentioned "antiheroes", who spare smiles, but give joy to every genre fan. I have nothing to complain about, definitely my favorite western after Once Upon a Time in the West :) (21.04.2011)

Everything that was good about the first installment is here twice over. The stuffiness on screen is almost unbreathable, the villain here has definitely crossed the point of no return. The film mops the floor with the standards of previous westerns, drowning in anachronisms, drug taking, we’re witnesses to suicide and rape. The two protagonists are all the more fascinating for it, maintaining their rules, credos, and self-respect in such a world. Paradoxically, there is something of the essence of freedom in such a dirty and disillusioned film, as if suggesting that only a completely broken world can offer the ultimate possibility of self-realization; see further post-apocalyptic works, zombie films, etc. (08.07.2021)

The second film from the so-called "Dollars Trilogy", at least in the order in which they were filmed. Sergio Leone, Ennio Morricona, and Clint Eastwood return to show the world that it is possible to shoot a damn good Western in Italy, and it doesn't matter that the film will be two hours long, on the contrary, it is just the right amount of time, maybe even a little too little. In this performance, the Western will truly entertain you. In addition to the brilliant music by Leone's court composer Morricone, the film also has other attributes that were crucial to its legendary status. It is solid direction that does not waver, but of course, it is also the story that may seem like a simple hunt for outlaws, a hunt for man-hunters, but it is mainly about the characters and how they are written and played. Each character here has their bright and dark side. People die here for no reason, children and women die. Evil does not choose, that's just how it is. But even the biggest villain is not without a heart, there is something in him that influenced him, that made him what he is today. Although Clint Eastwood is the star of Leone's films, in this case, he is somewhat overshadowed by another actor, who is none other than Lee Man Cleef, a man with a gaze that could pierce you. This duo fits perfectly by the fact that their characters do not fit. It is definitely not a classic buddy movie, like "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," but still, the element of their relationship is very important. Also important are the shooting skills. We will see classic duels in a new, interesting way, each one will be suspenseful and interesting for you. The wait for the shot is almost endless, but when the shot actually falls, it is exactly as you expected. However, this does not prevent you from truly eagerly waiting. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2013/01/divosi-10-years-divoka-stvoreni-lets.html (05.03.2013)