For a Few Dollars More

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)

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)

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)

One of the main plots of Once Upon a Time in the West, "Someone is going after someone, but it's not until the end that we find out why," was used by Leone here. It would seem that Clint's Monco is playing second fiddle in For a Few Dollars More... But he simply isn’t able to do that and he is great and draws attention to himself as always.__P.S.: Van Cleef is traditionally good, of course, but I like him even better as a villain.__P.P.S. I recommend listening to the soundtracks from A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. The way Morricone develops and refines his music over time, how he interweaves individual motifs and makes them into an unforgettable work, deserves incredible admiration. (18/09/2007)

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)