That scene was very well filmed. The closeups from strange angles is something that I haven't seen in an film older than this one. I don't mean the Leone eye shot, but the great scene where Jack Palance realizes he has been shot.
As much as I love this movie, and this scene in particular, I can't be without noticing the similarities between it and the final duel in For a Few Dollars More...
Although it's very difficult to decide which has better music. La Resa Dei Conti or L'Arena?
It's Morricone.....one classic against another. I think L'Arena is a bit better, mostly because everyone that hears the tune spontaneously begins to hum it.
Just a few days I listened to the Kill Bill Vol.2 OST and saw a few tracks by Ennio Morricooe that I never heard before. So I checked out L'Arena and immediately loved it! What bugged me is that I couldn't remember which scene in Kill Bill had that music, and I got very curious as to which movie the music originated.
I searched for L'Arena on YouTube.com and found both the scene from Kill Bill Vol.2 and the one from The Mercenary showdown (which I'd never seen before!). I must say the showdown reminded me very much of For A Few Dollars More (FDM), as to which tune is better, it's extremely hard to judge for me. I really love the FDM final duel theme but after hearing L'Arena it might be just a bit better, although each tune gives a completely different atmosphere.
P.S. Having only seen the showdown on youtube, gee what's up with that clown outfit? The most bizzare thing I've seen in a western. Is it worth picking up the whole movie?
Basically(seen it some time ago, someone please correct if necessary..), Paco-the guy dressed as a clown- has runned away and alongside some midgets(!) performs a comic act at some bullfighting arena, when palance and nero catch up with him