The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) Review

Posted on the 12 May 2020 by Caz @LetsGoToTheMov7

During the American Civil War a bounty hunting scam joins two men together in somewhat of an alliance to find gold that is buried in a remote cemetery.

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In the Southwest during the war Joe a mysterious bounty hunter and Mexican outlaw Tuco form a strange partnership where they find themselves giving up the other and trying to get them killed but then also saving them not long after. A love/hate relationship if you want to look at it in that manner. Can they actually manage to work together to find the money though as they battle against a rather sadistic criminal.

Blondie as he is mainly known because of Tuco is the man we have as the good. Sentenza/Angel Eyes is the bad, or very bad! Then that leaves Tuco as the Ugly! Who you actually find yourself having a soft spot for as the film goes in, even though he almost kills Blondie with the heat and lack of water!

The style throughout the film is very sleek and each of the characters has very interesting persona and this creates for some impressive exchanges between them all. Especially with Blondie and Tuco!

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly is the definitive Spaghetti western, I will admit that I was not fully aware of the difference to just a western. So incase anyone else is not sure about that is is named that because they are westerns produced and directed by Italians. Often linking with other European countries when it comes to the shooting of the films. Although this was something that was not a very nice term at the time, as it was often used by critics who saw them as second rate to American westerns. Although the love for this film might prove that term has not really mattered over the years.

The western genre is one that I am still learning a lot about and I know it will upset some people when I say that I wasn't utterly blown away by this film. I thought it was beautiful shot and some of the scenes really are absolutely stunning especially one of the final scenes and the tension that was built between the three men. The music, that outstanding score by Ennio Morricone is easily one of the most recognisable in cinema history even if you have seen the film or not. You will know so many of the themes that are used throughout the film. In my personal opinion that really does give it an extra edge.

I have always been a big fan of Clint Eastwood but this is the first western I have seen him in. IT really shows how good he was in those types of roles as well. Everything about the eye acting going on with this one, something that I was very impressed with. Eli Wallach, where to start with him! I never actually put two and two together on who he was until about an hour in the film (I am sorry but I had only seen him at the very end of his career and he looked totally different) so at least I can now say that I have seen him in one of his very best roles. Lee Van Cleef adding in the bad guy in a very impressive manner.

Catching up with a film that is often seen as being one of the greatest is very tough. That is something that was tough with this film I know everyone seems to love it and I can truly appreciate why it is well loved. It is a very impressive film that is very true and should be experienced at some point.