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Quiz about A Fistful of DollarsSpaghetti and Sushi Western
Quiz about A Fistful of DollarsSpaghetti and Sushi Western

"A Fistful of Dollars"-Spaghetti and Sushi Western Quiz


"A Fistful of Dollars" (1964) was one of the first 'Spaghetti Westerns' to receive international acclaim. It was, however, a direct interpretation of a Japanese film made by a different company the year before. You may want to Google the back story.

A multiple-choice quiz by windrush. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
windrush
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
394,340
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
489
Last 3 plays: Guest 108 (8/10), Guest 147 (8/10), Guest 216 (8/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Release of "A Fistful of Dollars" led to a successful lawsuit. Akira Kurosawa claimed it was a direct remake of his Samurai film, released in 1963. It was revealed that the Italian film-makers had viewed this film and decided to remake it as a Western. What was the title of the Japanese film? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Many actors do not make the transition from the small to the Silver Screen.
What is the name of the former TV star who was catapulted to movie stardom on the USA release of "A Fistful of Dollars"?
Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The Stranger arrives in a terrorised Mexican town where two families are feuding for control. What were the names of the warring families? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. There is a woman, Marisol, played by Marianne Koch. She is taken hostage by the head of one of the warring sides. Which character, played by John Wells, has his wicked way with Marisol? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. There were three westerns directed by Sergio Leone, similarly themed, and with the Stranger as the main protagonist. What was the popular collective name for these films? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. "A Fistful of Dollars" was not just an Italian production. A German and a Spanish company co-produced it. What was the name of the German production and distribution company largely responsible for the film's release? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Many of the European cast and crew took on American sounding names for the USA release. What name did Sergio Leone assume? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. The highly evocative music for "A Fistful of Dollars" was scored by an Italian composer, who has written over 500 film scores since 1946. What highly acclaimed composer (who assumed the 'stage name' of Dan Savio for this movie) was this? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Due to his low budget, Sergio Leone's western movies could not be filmed in the USA. Which country, with its deserts and large nature parks provided the background locations? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. It was Sergio Leone and costume designer Carlo Simi who decided to use a Spanish poncho for the central character, but apart from that, they left it up to which actor to be responsible for creating the Stranger's unique visual style? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Oct 24 2024 : Guest 108: 8/10
Oct 10 2024 : Guest 147: 8/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Release of "A Fistful of Dollars" led to a successful lawsuit. Akira Kurosawa claimed it was a direct remake of his Samurai film, released in 1963. It was revealed that the Italian film-makers had viewed this film and decided to remake it as a Western. What was the title of the Japanese film?

Answer: Yojimbo

There have been few films which had so many claims to authorship and creative input. Kurosawa himself said that it was "a fine movie, but it was MY movie." The Italian film is a faithful translation of the plot of "Yojimbo", which in turn references an earlier Italian movie, "Servant of Two Masters". Leone eventually settled out of court with Kurosawa for 15% of the box office, plus more than $100,000.

Many people claimed authorship of the script; it is certain that several contributed in various ways and were not given credit.
2. Many actors do not make the transition from the small to the Silver Screen. What is the name of the former TV star who was catapulted to movie stardom on the USA release of "A Fistful of Dollars"?

Answer: Clint Eastwood

Prior to starring in this movie, Eastwood's main claim to fame was as the young ramrod Rowdy Yates in the TV series, "Rawhide".
Westerns had been an integral part of the American entertainment scene from the earliest days of film-making. The genre probably peaked in international interest after classics such as "Shane" and "High Noon" attracted production funding for quality movies. The release of Leone's film revived the public's waning interest in Western movies at a time when the style was becoming repetitive and cliched.
3. The Stranger arrives in a terrorised Mexican town where two families are feuding for control. What were the names of the warring families?

Answer: The Rojos and the Baxters

The Stranger decides to play off one group against the other, at first for profit, then to free the village from the terror.
He starts out by selling information to both sides, playing off one against the other.
4. There is a woman, Marisol, played by Marianne Koch. She is taken hostage by the head of one of the warring sides. Which character, played by John Wells, has his wicked way with Marisol?

Answer: Ramon Rojo

Ramon (the boss of the Rojo family) frames Marisol's husband, accusing him of cheating at cards. He orders him to leave town, and takes Marisol prisoner, forcing her to live with him.
John Wells was the "Americanised" stage name of Gian Maria Volonte, who had an illustrious career in European movies. His starring role in "The Death of Mario Ricci" won him the Golden Palm at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival.
5. There were three westerns directed by Sergio Leone, similarly themed, and with the Stranger as the main protagonist. What was the popular collective name for these films?

Answer: "The Man with No Name" Trilogy

The films were released in Italy on completion of each: "A Fistful of Dollars" in 1964, "For a Few Dollars More" in 1965, and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" in 1966. Leone released them in the United States in 1967, and they were an instant success.
6. "A Fistful of Dollars" was not just an Italian production. A German and a Spanish company co-produced it. What was the name of the German production and distribution company largely responsible for the film's release?

Answer: Constantin Films

The co-production was ultimately successful, but there was a language barrier between the Italian, Spanish, German and English language speakers on the set. Eastwood communicated with the Italian cast and crew mostly with help from stuntman and fellow cast-member, Benito Stefanelli.
Stefanelli went on to play roles in many of Sergio Leone's films, usually as a hired thug, but also taking on duties as stunt-co-ordinator and weapons expert. In all, he had made over 60 screen appearances before his death in 1991.
7. Many of the European cast and crew took on American sounding names for the USA release. What name did Sergio Leone assume?

Answer: Bob Robertson

All the proferred names were used by members of the team to make them more "acceptable" to the American public. Subsequently many of the credits were changed to reflect their true names.
Gian Maria Volonte, who played Ramon Rojo took the screen name Johnny (or John) Wells.
Mario Brega, who played the thug Chico, called himself Richard Stuyvesant.
Ennio Morricone, soundtrack composer, became Dan Savio.
8. The highly evocative music for "A Fistful of Dollars" was scored by an Italian composer, who has written over 500 film scores since 1946. What highly acclaimed composer (who assumed the 'stage name' of Dan Savio for this movie) was this?

Answer: Ennio Morricone

Having once heard the whistled theme to the film, who could possibly forget it? Similarly the theme from "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" remains an ear worm for several days after hearing it played. Morricone's atmospheric work makes him a giant in film music.

His soundtrack for the film, "The Mission", was certified Gold in the USA. In addition to more than 70 movie soundtracks, he has written and conducted in concert venues, and his TV soundtracks are also highly acclaimed.
9. Due to his low budget, Sergio Leone's western movies could not be filmed in the USA. Which country, with its deserts and large nature parks provided the background locations?

Answer: Spain

"A Fistful of Dollars" was mostly filmed near Hoyo de Manzanares, near Madrid, also in the Tabernas Desert and in the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park, both in Almeria province.
10. It was Sergio Leone and costume designer Carlo Simi who decided to use a Spanish poncho for the central character, but apart from that, they left it up to which actor to be responsible for creating the Stranger's unique visual style?

Answer: Clint Eastwood

Eastwood bought black jeans from a sports store on Hollywood Boulevard, his hat from Santa Monica, and his cigars (ugh! just watching him moosh them in his teeth makes me shudder!) from a store in Beverley Hills. He also used some of his souvenirs from his "Rawhide" days, including his gunbelt with Cobra handled Colt, and spurs.
Source: Author windrush

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor spanishliz before going online.
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