Going by the title of this film, one could probably think they know what to expect. I guess that itself does well for the movie, drawing the interest of the audience to find out what it is about. I have it for some of these old movies because of the timeless value and quality they bring. This is yet another classic that has transcended its time/era and remains etched in the minds of those who have seen it, with considerable lessons set within the plot.
What's it about being good or bad or ugly, that a classic had to be born out of these? But it goes beyond the words to a perspective that tends to reorient a view. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a 1966 Italian epic Western/action film directed by Sergio Leone. With a screenplay written by Age & Scarpelli, Luciano Vincenzoni, and Sergio Leone, the film was based on a story by Vincenzoni and Leone. An Italian production, the film was mainly shot in Spain, with its setting against the backdrop of the American Civil War.
Starring Clint Eastwood as "the Good" (Blondie), Lee Van Cleef as "the Bad" (Angel Eyes, Sentenza), and Eli Wallach as "the Ugly" (Tuco), alongside other major cast members; Aldo Giuffrè (Union Captain), Antonio Casale (Bill Carson), Rada Rassimov (Maria), Luigi Pistilli (Father Pablo Ramirez), and Mario Brega (Cpl. Wallace), the 1966 fim follows three gunslingers－Blondie, Tuco and Angel Eyes－on an expedition in search of a buried cache of Confederate gold.
If only it were a simple expedition. That would have probably been the case if all were on the same page. There were alliance shifts, betrayal, conflict and chaos in the face of the American Civil War. Bill Carson was a name that linked the three as he alone knew the whereabouts and location of the buried gold. Angel Eyes (the Bad) was a former Confederate soldier who had known about the gold. Tuco, (the Ugly), a Mexican bandit and Blondie (the Good), a bounty hunter came across Bill Carson in one of their conflicts and revenge moments.
In the desert, a runaway ambulance comes running their way with several dead Confederate soldiers and a barely surviving Bill Carson. Promising the money and location to Tuco for water, who at that moment in his conflict with Blondie had the upper hand with the latter dehydrated, went to get the water. Unfortunately, Bill gave up. However, Blondie got there in time and was told the location before the man's demise. With no choice, Tuco had to align with Blondie as both had a piece of the location of the gold.
The unlikely alliance was formed and the journey for the gold’s location was on. Both remained doubtful that the other would not double-cross. Along the journey came Angel Eyes who somehow discovered the duo and the opportunity to get what he had sought, and joined in the expedition. Chaos ensued, betrayal happened, and an alliance was formed as well within the three gunslingers. The plot takes an interesting, captivating and adventurous journey, despite not really being an adventure film.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was more than just the plot, action and expedition. It was an effort by Sergio Leone’s film to deconstruct the upheld Western morality, highlighting that human behaviour has a primary drive rooted in greed, self-preservation and power against the ideal and conceived notions of good versus evil. In a subtle way, Blondie (the Good) was the character who carried and represented this message; a bounty hunter who exploits and double-crosses his partners. I mean, you would expect that from “the Bad” and “the Ugly” right?
The film's cinematography and score remain interesting aspects that made it the classic it is. The score gave unforgettable sounds, synonymous with the film. Like the main theme’s semblance of a howling coyote frequently used, with distinct and different instrumental sounds for each of the three characters. There's also the gunfire, whistling and yodelling. A visual style exploring wide shots and extreme close-ups, particularly on the three, was used and served the 1966 motion picture.
The acting puts everything together. The film didn't employ much action, rather it was about the expedition, chaos amidst the war, alliance and betrayal. This gave room to see more from the actors. They sure delivered. Despite the film's effort at deconstructing a view, you could still see “the Good” in Clint Eastwood, and “the Bad” in Lee Van Cleef, and “the Ugly” in Eli Wallach. They exemplified that in a way, and performed their roles well, amidst the setting and their differing “relationships” through the expedition.
It's an interesting film that takes you back in time and explores human behaviours. Conventional Western morality is challenged here, in a way that calls for attention and consideration. The view in a way is compelling as it exposes the innate nature of humans. But what happens to one who has “conquered” it or strives intentionally not to live so? Nevertheless, as a film, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a classic that remains watchable, and certainly a good watch.
Thank you for reading!
Rating: 95/100
