The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo
Directed by:
Sergio LeoneCinematography:
Tonino Delli ColliComposer:
Ennio MorriconeCast:
Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, Aldo Giuffrè, Luigi Pistilli, Rada Rassimov, Enzo Petito, Claudio Scarchilli, John Bartha, Livio Lorenzon (more)VOD (2)
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The inimitable "Man With No Name" (Clint Eastwood) teams with two gunslingers (Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach) to pursue a fortune in stolen gold. But teamwork doesn't come naturally to the outlaws, and they soon discover that their greatest challenge is to stay alive in a country ravaged by war. Forging a vibrant and yet detached style of action never before seen and not matched since, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly shatters the western mold in true Eastwood style! (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM))
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Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach... Add Van Cleef's villain, a first-rate bastard, and you've almost got everything. Which scene from this western of all westerns to pick as the best? For me it is definitely Tuco's running between the graves accompanied by the song “The Ecstasy of Gold".... Something like this could not be made (and composed) by man, but rather by God. The best western of all time and perhaps the second best film of all time after Lawrence of Arabia.__P.S. "Comedy" is noticeably missing from the genres here.
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A brilliant western, which has almost 50 years behind it, but that doesn't change the fact that it is the most extensive and at the same time the best part of the "Dollars Trilogy". We can talk about a trilogy, but we can't really say it directly. The films were presented at the moment they first reached the States because the studio could make more money that way. People will go to see three films that are part of a series rather than three unrelated films. After all, there is definitely a connection here. The first is director Sergio Leone, the second is composer Ennio Morricone. These two had to come together because otherwise the world would be deprived of great films with absolutely unbeatable music. The music here is not a classic soundtrack where you hardly notice it, but it's something that elevates the film. Its tones are what shape the scenes in some moments. This is true especially in the opening part, but it really got me in the final part, when the decision is made about who will actually get the treasure. The duel of the three gunmen is absolutely perfect here. It is an incredibly long scene and it is the music, along with the camera, that keeps you in suspense. These are the kinds of films that are worth spending three hours on and watching because these films made history. Sergio Leone had a fairly simple script. A trio of men who can never get along must proceed together because otherwise they will never reach the great treasure of Confederate gold buried by a soldier. This is the plot that is reached after about an hour and a half. Sergio Leone perfectly describes the characters and their destinies. Without that half-hour introduction, we would not understand the motivations of each character. It is absolutely necessary for the story and in this case, the three-hour film is definitely not boring or offensive. Sergio Leone also chose great actors - Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, who plays a completely different character than in the film "For a Few Dollars More", and finally Eli Wallach, who played the rogue Tuco, Eastwood's companion in many misdeeds, but also a person who cannot be trusted and who is closer to a noose than he would like. This trio, no matter how pleasant it may seem to you, guides you through the whole film. Wonderfully written characters, wonderfully acted. Each of them is different and each of them is actually a decent scoundrel. Together, they work perfectly until the very end. The film did not receive any Oscars, after all, it was an Italian western. Ennio Morricone did not receive an Oscar for the music, although he had five nominations, and Sergio Leone was not even nominated. Yes, the Oscars are primarily for Americans. It is changing lately, but I start to feel like it's sometimes too much of a comedy. We'll see what this year's Oscars will look like. Given that I also consider it a significant event, I will be watching it. If you like films that are not about romance, but rather about men who are capable of drawing their guns incredibly fast, watch this three-hour opus. You will see very little better in a western, and ultimately in film in general. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2013/02/now-is-good-stand-up-guys-bourne-30.html
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Leone's typically boundless western genius is imbued with a unique composition of shots, a phenomenal soundtrack and completely filigree work with dynamics and tension, which culminates in the final triple duel. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly has all the essential features of a spaghetti western, including the occasional drag and epic breadth that borders on madness. But this gold digger road movie also enchants through its slow pace, with the gourmet care through which it clings to detail, and the delicate mosaic. In my opinion, one of the best directed and set-to-music films of all time. A magical affair.
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I don't feel competent to claim that The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is the best film of its genre. I haven't seen that many westerns and, to be honest, modern anti-westerns like Dead Man or Dances with Wolves resonate with me more. Nevertheless, it is definitely a very entertaining and high-quality film. I don't really care for the western genre, and I have given five stars only to the absolute minimum of these films. The reason for the popularity of this film lies in the fact that Leone managed to make a film that appeals to everyone, which is rather rare in cinema. It is adventurous, thrilling, and very clever, as well as conveying an obvious anti-war message. It combines classic genre conventions with modern filmmaking elements, a traditionally excellent soundtrack, camera tricks, and occasional ventures into purely artistic waters. In certain moments, the film forgets itself and succumbs to genre clichés, such as the shootout with the Tuco's gang, where we see a traditional scene from B-movie westerns, where the hidden rifle shooter misses the gunslinger who shoots him from an unfavorable position with a quick draw. However, due to the overall lighthearted atmosphere, these few minor missteps easily fade away. Leone adeptly alternates the pace, combining genuinely humorous scenes with tragic ones, and, above all, relies on top-notch casting. The director always managed to choose actors who perfectly suited their roles, whether it was Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, or Eli Wallach. Overall impression: 90%.
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I don't know how Leone did it. 160 minutes, each of which could be individually extracted and inserted into a scholarly film encyclopedia explaining the importance of working with mise-en-scène and narrative with a minimum of dialogue, exclusively in symbiosis with the soundtrack, the setting and the characters, who can be expected to do anything and who know things that are supposed to remain hidden from the patient viewer for a long time. Brilliant, stunning perfectionist direction, maintaining sustained tension regardless of the current nature of the scene, thanks in large part to its cold-blooded approach to its "heroes", memorable interactions between the central trio, and of course Morricone's music, as legendary and atmospheric as the film itself. There's no need to dwell on the actors, because it's hard to find anything more iconic – Wallach in particular does something incredible. If you love film and try to read it, as they say, this one must be something of an idol for you.
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