Deleted FISTFUL OF DOLLARS scene

[Clinton]

I have some stills indicating a deleted FOD scene. In one still, the Clint Eastwood character (JOE) is standing behind a wall with a stick of dynamite in his hand. In another still, Sergio Leone can be seen walking past a group of Mexican bandits (wearing sombreros) sitting around a table outside - the location is clearly Los Albaricoques, where Manco and Colonel Mortimer shot apples from a tree in FAFDM. In a third still, there is a large explosion at exactly the spot where the Mexican bandits had been sitting. I presumed that this apparent deleted scene was described in the original Italian FOD script, but I have been unsuccessful in trying to obtain copies from a couple of sources, including Cineteca di Bologna, who have a copy belonging to the Leone family. I failed to contact members of the Leone family, despite numerous enquiries, emails and letters. Finally, I managed to track down a FOD script - second draft by Sergio Leone & Duccio Tessari (dated October, 1963) at the Margaret Herrick Library, Beverly Hills. Reproductions are not allowed, but someone kindly checked the script for me and she replied: "In the last pages of our FOD script the character PIRIPERO hands a stick of dynamite to JOE.  JOE takes the stick and throws it at a group of ROJO’S MEN who are gathered drinking. Then an explosion is heard off-camera during a later scene involving RAMON, ESTEBAN, and SILVANITO." This deleted scene explains the explosion and dust in the background just before the Eastwood character confronts Ramon and his men. Thus, JOE used the dynamite more effectively than the final edited film suggested. I was surprised that there was a script in English describing this deleted scene.

[drinkanddestroy]

great info!

you can try to contact Frayling.

Can you share the pics here?

[Clinton]

I have attached some low resolution stills of the deleted FOD scene.

[Jordan Krug]

Wow! Thank you so much so sharing all of your hard work and info. Since all the raw unused dailies still exist (including the original opening) it's very possible the footage for this scene still exists...

[Rblondie]

It would make sense considering many of the faces seen in the massacre of the Baxters scene (Aldo Sambrell, Nazzareno Natale etc.) are nowhere at the end.

[Le Bon]

Amazing. I looked at the stills before I read the whole of your post and noticed the bandage on Joe's hand which indicate this scene would be just before the Rojo showdown. I then read the rest of your post which confirms this.
Yes suprising about the script in English.

[cigar joe]

Very cool thanks.

[Le Bon]

I have just had a look at the novelisation and this scene is in the book. It starts with Silvanito being followed to the mine by two of Ramon's men, Pablo and Martin. When Silvanito leaves, Joe come out of the mine and there is a gunfight with the two bandits one of whom is holding a stick of dynamite. Joe finds another stick in their saddlebag and makes his way to San Miguel where he comes across eight bandits shooting crap and drinking Tequila on the outskirts of town and uses the dynamite on them.

[dave jenkins]

I have some stills indicating a deleted FOD scene. In one still, the Clint Eastwood character (JOE) is standing behind a wall with a stick of dynamite in his hand. In another still, Sergio Leone can be seen walking past a group of Mexican bandits (wearing sombreros) sitting around a table outside - the location is clearly Los Albaricoques, where Manco and Colonel Mortimer shot apples from a tree in FAFDM. In a third still, there is a large explosion at exactly the spot where the Mexican bandits had been sitting. I presumed that this apparent deleted scene was described in the original Italian FOD script, but I have been unsuccessful in trying to obtain copies from a couple of sources, including Cineteca di Bologna, who have a copy belonging to the Leone family. I failed to contact members of the Leone family, despite numerous enquiries, emails and letters. Finally, I managed to track down a FOD script - second draft by Sergio Leone & Duccio Tessari (dated October, 1963) at the Margaret Herrick Library, Beverly Hills. Reproductions are not allowed, but someone kindly checked the script for me and she replied: "In the last pages of our FOD script the character PIRIPERO hands a stick of dynamite to JOE.  JOE takes the stick and throws it at a group of ROJO’S MEN who are gathered drinking. Then an explosion is heard off-camera during a later scene involving RAMON, ESTEBAN, and SILVANITO." This deleted scene explains the explosion and dust in the background just before the Eastwood character confronts Ramon and his men. Thus, JOE used the dynamite more effectively than the final edited film suggested. I was surprised that there was a script in English describing this deleted scene.

2020 and we're finding things out about Leone's films. This is amazing.  Someone has earned an entry in the SL Encyclopedia.

[titoli]

Great find, thanx. But I think that, apart from explaining what comes before Joe's appearance, those scenes were cut because his emerging from the smoke is so all the more impressive.

[Clinton]

Great find, thanx. But I think that, apart from explaining what comes before Joe's appearance, those scenes were cut because his emerging from the smoke is so all the more impressive.

In the released cut you hear a "cracking whip-like" explosion just before ESTEBAN is about to "whip" SILVANITO. RAMON and his men turn around and see large plumes of dust arising from an explosion (although it appears that the special effects team used a double explosion for more effect) just behind nearby buildings. Then JOE appears when the smoke (simulated dust) clears. It would have been possible to splice in the scene showing JOE throwing a stick of dynamite at the group of bandits sitting around a table and then show the reaction of RAMON and his gang, but I agree that it wouldn't have worked out well - the surprise at the point of whipping would have been lost etc. Also, it may not have been clear to the audience that the explosion in the deleted "throwing a stick of dynamite at a group of bandits" scene is the same explosion in the following scene, the "interrupted" torture of SILVANITO scene.

[Le Bon]

It would dilute the impact and mythic quality of his entrance into San Miguel if that scene was in the film. Would love to see the footage if it ever sees the light of day though.

[Paulo]

Great stuff, thanks for posting.

In trying to find out more, I stumbled across a Carlo Simi facebook page that had this photo of La Callahora I've never seen - the tarmac road is there, but the buildings that can be seen are still standing and complete. Will try and post it here, or add as an attachment. The facebook page is  at https://www.facebook.com/Carlo-Simi-812060865483502/?fref=ts

[dave jenkins]

Very Thank you!

[stanton]

Here's a guy who is sure that a 130 min version of FoD was shown in some countries here and there in the 80s released on VHS:

https://www.facebook.com/spaghettiwesterndatabase/posts/5087139481309589


Oh well, more funny than realistic ...