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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.