Why was it not called this in the first place? Its an amazing name. It came out after Once upon a Time in the West and before Once Upon a Time in America. Its so obviously what the movie should be called.
C'era una Volta il Revolucion!
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It was and maybe still is in european countries.
I think that FOD is much better as a name but OUATITR is the best in a chronological context.
Hi there
I agree I think the title "Once upon a time .... The Revolution"! is the most apt for this classic movie.It really does convey the epic feel of the movie, and it perfectly matches the brilliant score of the movie, particularly the wonderous "inventions of John" theme which has an epic, almost fairytale quality to it.
I mean even if you look at the opening text of the movie with Mao-Tse Tsung's definition of the term "Revolution" you can see that it is building up momentum towards the explosive title of 'ONCE UPON A TIME.....THE REVOLUTION !' to the accompaniement of Morricone's powerful score.
This was how it was done for the Spanish, German, French and Italian markets and the film was successful as the audiences fully understood the powerful message of the film.
However in the US version, the brilliant opening text building up to the title 'DUCK YOU SUCKER' really saps the power of the film's opening and it's overall message, making it look like some sort of parody or send-up of all Spaghetti Westerns and 'revolutionary-themed' movies. It is strange that the Studios upon the 'Director's Cut DVD decided to use a title which Leone mistakenly thought was a common US parlance. They should have stuck to the original title of UOATTR as it marries up with the other UOAT movies.
Maybe for the eventual Blu-Ray release the film will be given it's proper title
as the American one of 'Duck You Sucker' does not do this brilliant film any favours.
"Be seeing you!"
No6
I agree with No_6 that "Duck, You Sucker" doesn't do this film any favour although it might be the closest translation of it's original title.
I know the French title translates "Once Upon A Time... The Revolution" which has a more "serious" ring to it.
The German title is a completely different one. Here it's called "Todesmelodie" which literally translated means the Melody of Death. I don't know why this title was choosen... maybe because "Once Upon A Time In The West" is called "Spiel mir das Lied vom Tod" (Play me the Song of Death) in Germany.
I agree.
The Expendables- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6RU5y2fU6s
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Could have been part of a quadrilogy:
Fistful of Dollars
Fistful of Harmonicas
Fistful of Dynamite
Fistful of Mafia
:)
I don't like any of the titles, really.
So far as I know it was only ever called Once Upon a Time... in France. In Italy it was Giu la testa (Keep your head down).
And it's not at all "obvious" because Leone had no plan to make a trilogy and it was he who insisted on Duck, You Sucker! as the English title.
"I will treat these paltry interruptions with the attention they deserve."
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I totally disagree with you about Once Upon a Time in America. It's one of the best gangster movies of all time, and one of Leone's best.
The Expendables- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6RU5y2fU6s
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Once Upon a Time in the Revolution is an apt title. Once Upon a Time in America may be the best film ever made.
'Loneliness has followed me my whole life' - Travis Bickle Taxi Driver
Just an observation:
The Italian title is "Giù la Testa" which is the first part of Mallory's catchphrase "Giù la testa, coglione" translated as "Duck, you sucker" in English. This means that the Italian title only corresponds with the "Duck" in the English title.
My personal English title of preference is "Count Me Out!", a title I concocted myself, and rather than being a translation or transliteration of an existing title it reflects the overall mood of the film, especially Juan's viewpoint. I can just see it coming as a reply to Juan's bewildered face at the end of the film.
http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=5184666
"Giù la testa" would be closer to "lower your head," more than "keep your head down."
The difference is, of course, that you shout to someone "giù la testa!" when there's going to be an explosion. So they lower their head... for a while.
Similarly when planning a revolution. Since the poor and exploited lack the firepower, they are well advised to "lower their heads" while they prepare.
Which is very different from just keeping their head down.
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Space For Sale.
I like the sentiment.
And it's better than the Western title, Fistful of Dynamite, which leached off the popular title of Fistful of Dollars, even though it had nothing to do with the trilogy.
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