Regarded as one of the greatest western directors, Sergio Leone is known for iconic films such as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and Once Upon a Time in the West. However, his 1971 work, Duck, You Sucker!, is often overshadowed compared to these classics, despite uniquely and ambitiously combining elements of adventure and politics.
A movie that goes unnoticed among its masterpieces
“Duck, You Sucker!” was a project that Leone initially did not want to direct. When he accepted the proposal from his collaborator Sergio Donatti, he was thinking of having someone else take charge of the production. However, the tensions during the shoot, especially with actor Rod Steiger, forced Leone to take the helm of direction. Despite these conflicts, Steiger acknowledged Leone’s merit after the film’s premiere.
Visually, the film presents a less polished aesthetic approach compared to Leone’s other works. This choice may have contributed to its perception as the “worst western” of his career, although it contains moments of great visual strength. Unlike his previous works, in Duck, You Sucker! the dialogues are scarce, allowing Ennio Morricone’s powerful soundtrack to drive the narrative, which some critics consider an excessive use of this resource.
This evening, the movie will be broadcast on Trece starting at 10:00 PM, offering viewers the chance to rediscover a work that, although uneven, continues to be an important part of Leone’s legacy; and if you miss it, you can also watch it anytime on Amazon Prime Video and Filmin. The blend of spectacularity and dramatic lyricism, as well as the flashbacks centered on the character played by James Coburn, provide a nuance of melancholy that distinguishes this work from others in the same genre.