The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Admittedly, in those nearly three hours, there were moments when my concentration wavered, but the music by the genius Ennio Morricone always quickly reeled me back in. Sergio Leone didn't hold back, adding something extra compared to the previous film. Alongside Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef, I also got to see that notorious Calvera (at least that's who Eli Wallach will always be to me), but the movie also had a significantly better-crafted script. Despite the harsh realities of the Wild West, it included several unexpectedly touching scenes without pushing too hard. I've immensely enjoyed the film many times, and I'm certain I'll return to it again (unless failure of vital organs prevents me from doing so). / There are two lessons here, the first of which I shamelessly stole directly from the movie: "There are two kinds of people in this world, those with loaded guns and those who dig." And the second one: The film is another proof that smoking kills. (07/26/2023)

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%. (03/25/2010)

An interesting story, straightforward and perfectly resolved. Morricene's catchy melody got under my skin again, Clint had charisma to spare in his younger days and Eli Wallach as the bad guy you actually root for is great. But it lacked something, something very little, to be perfect and I couldn't help comparing it to the brilliant Once Upon a Time in the West. The latter is a flawless five-star affair, this one has a few lapses in logic and especially a strange plot insert with armies fighting over a bridge, where Eastwood and Wallach went about as if they could not die. Otherwise, no complaints. (08/30/2004)

You see, in this world, there are two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns and those who dig. So dig. Three gunslingers, one treasure and maybe the best western that I’ve ever seen. This time it’s the ugly Eli Wallach, who accidentally gets involved with the American Civil War, who holds the story together. Lee Van Cleef’s Angel Eyes stands a little aside from the main story line, but he makes up for it with almost textbook villainy. And there’s Blondie Clint who, with Leone, thought up the climax to this dollar trilogy. Including the surreptitious return of the scruffy poncho to the game and the breathtaking three-way duel in the finale. (09/09/2009)

It’s a high-quality western that leaves most of its competition in the dust. The main trio of actors shines, and I enjoyed their verbal showdowns. It’s also accompanied by the absolutely excellent musical score by Ennio Morricone. However, it still remains somewhat overshadowed by its younger sibling, Once Upon a Time in the West, as I find that film to have added value in its story (don’t stone me... it’s just my opinion). But back to this film. Clint Eastwood is, as always, a guarantee of quality; his gaze was made for these types of roles. And Eli Wallach, alongside him, was equally impressive; I enjoyed watching him try to outwit everyone around him. The setting during the Civil War added an extra layer of interest to the film. So yes, it’s a technically flawless film, but for me, it’s slightly hindered by the more straightforward story of searching for buried treasure. I give it a 7.5/10. (09/12/2023)