A Fistful of Lead

Okay, let me admit that I didn't get all the way through this movie - about halfway was all I could take. Less than ten minutes in and I really wasn't sure if I was supposed to take this movie seriously. The direction is appalling which made the, I suspect adequate, acting come over badly as well. From the outset both characters and 'extras' make moves and actions that make absolutely no sense in the real world and with script written, I think, by the Director's seven-year-old as a class project the whole thing moved to the point where I simply couldn't "suspend disbelief". The jumpy handheld camera didn't add anything it simply made me feel nauseous. (Always remember that handheld cameras are mainly used because they are far, far cheaper than the use of full trolley and rail cameras. This was so obviously the reason here.) There are so many good movies out there, western and other genres, don't waste your time - watch a good movie. So why not one star instead of two? The costumes were quite good...

I had the feeling to watch a Ben Wheatley's film, after this one. But a poor man's Ben Wheatley. Some stuff very difficult to describe, with not really heroes, not lead character as in any other film. But I like that, despite the bland actors and improbable directing. It is violent, but violent in such a way that you are not really shocked, just surprised. Actually, I thought of a Uwe Boll's movie. Uwe Boll who would have made a western, which he has never done, as far as I know. It looks pretty amateur but acceptable, fun to watch, even while pealing your potatoes for supper.

Awful. Horrible acting and strong reliance on campy gore, because that's all they've got. My stepfather has inflicted a LOT of awful westerns on us, but this could possibly be the worst ever. I'd comment on the plot, but I'm not sure there was one. I was possibly distracted by the continual sprays of blood on the camera lens. Kind of edgy the first time you see it, but after about the 800th time it has definitely lost its shock value.

Corruption, conspiracy and crime! Lots of twists and turns. Not a film that is fast to explain itself to the audience. But that doesn't mean it drags. The pace rattles along and the cast are clearly having as much fun as the film makers. Looking forward to seeing more from this team

This is not your typical western. It opens with a bloody inane bank robbery shootout. The crooks get away. One is shot. The sheriff was killed. A man self appoints himself as sheriff as the deputy is a coward. He gathers a posse and goes after a different gang. There is distrust among the robbers. The posse includes the deputy and a man from Essex along for the experience. The plot is filled with twists, although we can predict the last killing. It is also a comedy or dark comedy in a Tarantino style. Not for everyone. I got some enjoyment out of it. The mine scenes were great. Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.

A Fistful of Lead is a great addition to the western genre. This is a low budget film that uses its locations, characters and a compelling story to its fullest, never once leaving you anything other than entertained. The story is packed with twists and turns, hitting familiar beats but with a freshness that keeps you engaged. From the start you know something is rotten in Bath Water and you are kept guessing until the very last satisfying scene. Each character is brilliantly written and acted, and I thoroughly enjoyed Richard Sandling's Johnny Romford (who someone else referred to as "an annoying British guy"). Maybe it's because I'm British but I thought his character was hilarious, quotable ("alive is such a ballache"), and provided some comic relief to balance out the darker moments of the film. The cinematography also deserves a mention. This is a beautiful film! All the shots in the wilderness look stunningly cold and bleak, and the orange-hued firelit scenes in the mine provide an exquisite contrast to this. If you're a fan of westerns, or even if you're not, I highly recommend checking this out.

My Dad bought this for me for Christmas, and I just now got around to watching it. I actually really liked "A Fistful Of Lead"! I thought this little flick had a lot to offer, honestly! It's flawed, but has a pretty solid script, for the most part. It's essentially about a bunch of bankrobbers being chased-down by a Sherriff of the town they robbed, as well as a bunch of people from the town. They spend a lot of time out in the woods, hunting for the thieves. There aren't many good guys in the film, honestly. One of the only ones is a really annoying British guy, that I thought was the Jar Jar Binks of the film. The guy's always rambling on, trying to make jokes that don't land. Everyone else is playing a Clint Eastwood-type character. I actually think most of them do pretty fine with what the script gives them-especially the more in-the-front female character we have (out of two female characters hiding-out in the cave everyone ends-up at, about halfway through the film). It was all pretty well-performed, if I do say so myself. It seems like all of the cast were having fun with this project. I do think that, sometimes, the costumes-and maybe even the characters themselves-look a little too clean. Even a bloodstain from having someone killed nearby a character could look like spilt koolaid. It's hard to get that down-and-pat for a western of a lower budget, but I don't think the costumes were bad, or anything. Just a little too wrinkle-free for the grittiness this film wanted to depict. Something I do think was absolutely HORRID was the special effects. Every single time someone is shot and killed, CGI blood splatters all over the screen. It really makes the film feel more like a costume party, for some reason. It ruins a ton of the tension that's so well-crafted, at times. CGI gore is fine, in some movies, but it all comes down to how it's utilized. It is NOT utilized well in "A Fistful Of Lead". There's also something else I kept noticing, almost throughout the entire flick: the sheriff is ALWAYS re-dubbed. I don't think I saw that much with anyone, but there are times he's yelling but his mouth is merely mumbling. It can take you out of the film pretty easily, when he's on screen. That being said, I don't think he's a bad actor. It just seems like the director changed the attitudes the sheriff character had, in post-production, yet they never match what he has on the screen. I might also add that I thought the ending was a little odd. Everything about the sheriff character just made me wonder, by the end, why, with his gruff, rude, scheme-y mantra, anyone would appoint him to be the sheriff of a small town in western-based times. Seems a little wrong, or irresponsible, if I were any of the people living in the film's area. One final note is about the score: it was actually very nice. Very suitable to the flick. Almost forgot to mention it, when I originally wrote the review. Overall, if you like more modern, bloody westerns, this might be up your alley. It was a fun time, even if it wasn't perfect. I had a decent time with what I had here, and I'm glad I got to see it. Thanks, Dad! I love you! And God bless you!

Sure this isn't a Sergio Leone western. But I'm not dopey enough to expect that. It's low budget but that doesn't mean it can't be engaging. It opens with more bang than other low budget films that have twice the budget. That hooked me and the rest was great fun. Loved the Laurel and Hardy style bankers

I loved this movie. It is brilliantly shot (pun intended), the performances are fab and the action is as it should be in a good western - quick, kinetic and brutal! This is not your run of the mill western either, it has a fresh twist on the genre and a sting in its tail!!

I love me a low budget western but this was a surprise in the best way! Fun characters and a great situation for them to thrive! The shootouts definitely play in a variety of ways. There is one section that's a little like John Wick bit with a six-shooter. Another is fast paced and explosive. I had a blast watching this and didn't expect to highly recommend and hope this team make another western.