Fun fact, there was a miscommunication on set that led to the first bridge explosion going off before any cameras were rolling and before everyone was a safe distance away. Luckily no one was injured or killed. The bridge had to be rebuilt and blown up again which almost blew the budget. In the second (filmed) explosion the rocks that land next to Clint and Eli were real and could've easily killed them.
In “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” (1965) Tuco uncovers the grave of Arch Stanton and finds a skeleton in the coffin not the promised $200,000 he, Blonde and Angel Eyes have been looking for. Leone couldn’t get a prop skeleton to look the way he wanted it to look on film. He said he wish they could get a real skeleton, so set decorator Carlo Leva found out that a lady in Madrid had a real skeleton for hire. It was her mother's (who in life had been an actress) skeleton and before she died, she expressed the wish that her skeleton should be used in movies, so that her acting career could continue after death. Leva rented the skeleton and it is her real skeleton you see in the grave of Arch Stanton.
"When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk." For some reason, THAT line really stuck with me as a kid... The movie that gives the word epic true meaning, 11 out of 5 serapes indeed!
@@beatmet2355 Stole from Clint or not Eli Wallach was putting on an all star performance that certainly stood toe to toe. Absolutely Excellent. I had seen him in this movie years before I knew the actors name and I thought he was a Mexican actor, it was fun to find out he is actually Jewish.
Then you grow and the line that makes all the difference is: You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig.
That line has entered several quote books, and with damn good reason. So many heroes in so many films - and probably real men in real life - have been shot while delivering a final victory speech.
@@franl155 Heroes or bad guys.... ""Wait?" Are you kidding me? Did you just say, "Wait"? Judge Dredd - *the* Judge Dredd - finally gets on the wrong end of a gun and all he says is, "Wait." You know what? I expected more from you. I mean, wait for what? Wait for me to change my mind? Wait for another two or three seconds of life because you are so f***ing weak you can't stand to see it end?"
There is very good reasons why they shot the movie in Spain. At the time, Spain was under the rule of military dictator General Franco. And he was desperate to improve Spain's economic situation, and one plan for that was to invite foreign film makers to come to Spain to shoot movies. All the extras in this movie were Spanish soldiers, and all the weapons were brought out from military Museums. The Army engineers built the bridge and other set pieces.
When I was a kid in NYC, the Academy of Music did a Saturday special - 'Spend the day with Clint Eastwood', all 3 films back to back, big theater, big screen, intermissions to buy more popcorn. Being a kid, it cost 75 cents in 1966. In the early 90's I went to the Telluride Film Festival and they did a restored 70mm showing of this film - introduced by the man himself, Clint Eastwood.
Best reaction to this film that I've seen, genuine appreciation of the story, and insight on the cinematography. Really fun to share your enjoyment, thank you
Lee Van Cleef dressed exactly like one of his childhood heroes in two movies “Spaghetti Westerns’ Wyatt Earp. Lee’s costume is a perfect copy of the famous outfit worn by Wyatt Earp in 1881 in Tombstone Arizona. Lee provided his own clothes as did Clint Eastwood. Lee even used a 12 inch barrel Colt like the one used by Marshall Earp. The Hat, Coat, Shirt, Vest, Tie with Tie pin, Boots, Guns every detail is a Tribute to the most famous Lawman-Marshall in American history. John Wayne often said he made all his characters after Wyatt Earp saying every time he walked onto a movie set he pretended to be Wyatt Earp in the way he walked and talked. Clint Eastwood was also influenced by Wyatt and said he fashioned Inspector Harry Callahan “Dirty Harry” after the most famous Lawman Marshall in history… Wyatt Earp.
The best western of all time, hands down. That bridge scene sometimes gives me nightmares. I dream that men are still fighting over the bridge, completely unaware or despite that the Civil War is long been over. I understand it is a weird for someone like me to fixate on, but the Civil War is a hobby interest of mine and such a meaningless battle is horrifying to me. Fun Fact: This is a "prequel" to A Fistful Of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More, as it is set during the American Civil War while the other two movies are set afterward. Towards the end of this movie, Blondie (Clint Eastwood) acquires his trademark poncho. It works when you take all three movies as a whole. Bonus Fact: Though no specific year or date is stated in this movie, at least part of it takes place during the New Mexico Campaign of 1862. This is confirmed when the hotelkeeper and Tuco mention the retreating Confederate General Sibley (real-life Henry H. Sibley) and the advancing Union Colonel Canby (another historical person, Colonel Edward Canby). This is consistent with the campaign that took place between February and April 1862 in the Union territory of New Mexico and the Confederate state of Texas.
I love the final scene especially. He's put Tuco in the rope and up on the grave marker and rides off. He's left Tuco his share, the money is at his feet. At first it feels like OK he's not taking his half but he's getting revenge for all the other crap. Tuco it seems is going to die inches away from the money that would of set him up for life. But then Blondie returns and shoots the rope. Then I realized, if he hadn't done it like that he would of had to kill Tuco, Tuco being who he was would of tried to get all the money and that would of meant killing him and Blondie did actually want to kill him. Breaking the rope at distance gave him room to leave with his share, and of course was a call back, still letting Tuco know (I'm still the one who cuts the rope) The last part of it is Blondie riding off and the music playing is his classic theme from a fist full of dollars, basically beginning his journey into that future. Love it.
I would agree, but with an asterisk. I think it is a variation, or better, an evolution of the character. He's the same character who's just had a life lived so by "A Few Dollars More" he is a fully evolved 'Man with no name'. Another reason I like that "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" was filmed last is that it speaks to how Clint and the Writer/Director had to strip the character back and let him be a younger less lived and experienced person. If there was a 4th film, we would get the apex of this character that Clint is portraying.
@@MajorProgress I agree he's refining his performance, but the character is a different character. Joe is not Manco and Manco isnt Blondie. The only conection between them is Eastwood. Saying they are the same person is like claiming Colonel Mortimer and Angel Eyes are the same character because they're both played by Lee Van Cleef in the same costume. Don't forget the whole "Man With No Name" label was invented by the distributor after the films were made in order to market them to the US.
I'm sure you'll love "The good, the bad and the ugly", the plot, the outstanding actors, the amazing job did by Leone and Morricone and how they used the stunning music written by the latter. Greetings from Rome guys, Leone and Morricone's city.
@@majormoviemadness9927 I loved your review of that masterpiece, I think they really did an outstanding back then...everything was perfect: the plot, the music, the pauses, the close up shots of all those characters and of all those scarred and dirty bandits' faces, the civil war background...I think they, Leone and Morricone but the superb actors too, realized a magnificent job.
i remember watching this as a kid and when he puts the noose around tuco"s neck i felt sad not just in a he is about to die but it just felt wrong and then the final scene is the on of the coolest sigh of relief i've ever felt.
Every one has seen or heard this movie 🎥 even if they never actually saw it. It's that iconic. Hard to believe it wasn't that popular when it came out. But it did redefine the genre.
There is a vid on youtube where someone has removed the epic Morricone score from the final shootout and replaced it with natural sounds, and it is the most tedious five minutes of nothing at all whatsoever happening. Speaking of which please please please also do _Once Upon a Time in the West_
Final duel has to be understood after the whole movie. Try to think about, after being shot, kicked, slashed, hung, almost dying of starving, crossing deserts and eating their dust, after fight against bandits, soldiers, bounty hounters and killers, after see slaughters and a war, lots of innocents dying in it...after that long trip through Hell, with your face covered in blood, sand and gunpowder... There's a treasure, waiting for you, somewhere...in the place where many other died trying to find it. Better take profit from your chance or be killed by the hand of the other. Masterpiece of edition, music, atmosphere, timing and performances
This is the best western, and one of the best movies ever made. And like you said its a master class in movie making. The look, the framing, the close and wide shots - amazing. And at the end - the best cinematic climax in all of movie making. The 3 anti heros meet up for the showdown. The whole showdown is 3 guys standing there for 6 minutes looking at each other. The exquisite music carries the scene and the tension is built with the slow wide shots eventually going to fast tight shots. Perfection.
What Clint Eastwood wears is NOT a Sarape, it's a PONCHO!! A sarape is a blanket, a poncho is something to be worn as an outer garmet to be worn for warmth.
It's just this particular modern restoration that you're looking at. All three films were shot in Techniscope, which is a 2 perf 35. Half a normal frame height, wide with spherical lenses. "Millions of dollars"? :D They are pretty cheap movies. This one was just $1.2 mil.
The shot of the noose coming into frame over Eli is Iconic. Because Peter Jackson had CGI he was able to upgrade this shot at the climax of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Not sure if it's still on Nflix, but there's a GREAT documentary called Sad Hill Unearthed. Covers some of the filmmaking, but mostly is the story of a bunch of volunteers that found and restored the Sad Hill Cemetery set near Burgos in northern Spain a few years ago, and ultimately showed the movie outdoors with some V SPECIAL guests for its 50th anniversary. I cried.
My top 5 westerns 1. The Good, Bad & Ugly 2. Unforgiven 3. Once upon a time in the west 4. The Magnificent 7 5. Young guns movies (I grew up with those)
One small detail that also lends to this film being a prequel....clients character is wearing a most of the film. But then he leaves the cost and at the end has the famous poncho
All Sergio Leone's westerns were shot in 35 mm Technirama 2 step (holes pr. frame), in contrast to normal 35 mm 4 steps (holes pr. frame). Thereby the Italiens could use normal lenses for 35 mm film and get away with with very harsh close-ups, in contrast to normal Panavision and Cinemascope that used horizontal sqeezing lens in the first take, which would have resulted in heavy distorted close-ups. In the laboritory the frames from 35 mm 2 step was squeezed horizontaly to fit the 35 mm 4 step theatrical film equal to the traditional Panavision and Cinemascope format.
I heard that Sergio scored a couple of very expensive old large cameras in a studio sale that had huge aperture lens (90mm ?) that gave him the freedom for depth of field and low light shots used especially in once upon a time in the west
The cinematography, story, commentary/messages, characters and their development, epic feel, physical acting(so much was communicated without dialog), and musical score are all really good. What makes this film great IMHO is "The Ecstasy of Gold" and its use; and the tension/suspense of the 3-way quick-draw with enough time for the audience to think about its dilemma to the characters. Without knowing that Blondie rigged it, the problem they faced is that whoever acted first would lose so noone should act first. Even if the one who acted first hit his target disabling/killing his target, he would draw the attention of his target to shoot him leaving the other guy to shoot whoever does not fall. With each guy extremely skilled and they all know that, the third to act would hit/kill the first to act if he was not hit or the first's target still standing/not hit. After it is revealed to the audience that Tuco's gun is not loaded and Blondie rigged the contest, then there is a whole new logic to apply to the characters. Blondie could be focused on Angel Eyes as his target and wait for one of the others to act, and then shoot Angel Eyes - he knows exactly his target(and can concentrate only on that) while the other two are unsure. This gives him an edge and he does shoot and hit Angel Eyes reacting to Tuco's move. From the personalities of the other two, Blondie would think it would be Tuco to act first. He's the most impulsive and a risk-taker; and very confident in his ability to out-draw someone. Blondie knows that Tuco would also most-likely target Angel Eyes due to the beating he took, his knowledge that Angel Eyes would never let him leave with any gold or hunt him down(as "the Bad"), Angel Eyes would probably shoot at him(Tuco), Blondie would probably shoot at Angel Eyes, and his past alliance with Blondie hoping for some collusion in targeting Angel Eyes. Blondie also knows that Angel Eyes would be most-wary of Tuco, Angel Eyes also had an alliance with Blondie, and Angel Eyes could hope for a deal if/once Tuco was down. Angel Eyes could also have some doubt that he would know where the gold is if Blondie was dead. So, there's a lot to think about during the 3-way staredown, and we were given a lot of time to contemplate things. I think most would first think about who they thought would win, and then move on to the deeper logic.
Great review of a great movie. Lee Van Cleef lost the end joint of the middle finger of his right hand, seen briefly at 26:05, so you can always tell it's him with the hand-modelling close-up on the guns.
What I like about these movies is how the main characters are all outlaws. Not even Clint Eastwood's character is 100% a good guy, he's just less nasty than the others. Hahaha. And they're all pretty much chasing after leads or running schemes. That scheme Blondie and Tuco run at the start where they keep handing in Tuco's bounty and then saving him from the noose, I loved it. It makes it feel very different from regular movies with heroes in it.
According to Leone biographer Sir Christopher Frayling, Leone preferred to use Techniscope, which is also known as Super 35. It was terrific with panoramic shots, but Leone discovered it was even better with extreme close-ups.
When I was a child our household only had few VHS movies that I could watch. Despite being 5 and not knowing english or being able to read subtitles this was my favourite film. Now as an adult it is very easy to understand why that was the case. The story and archetypes are so universal and cross cultural that you do not need to understand a single word to enjoy this masterpiece and you are still able to follow the story. You could literally base this story in medieval japan or futuristic dystopia and it still would work.
All three films were 35mm - but all three also used the the 2-perf Techniscope process (which was first introduced by Technicolor Italia in '60), basically a flat widescreen process that used a generally smaller area of the negative for each frame than a true anamorphic scope frame. Same width, but much shorter height. Using spherical lenses helped Leone get those close-ups that were pin-sharp focused without also getting the side distortion those early anamorphic lenses had. This helps in cost because you are using only half the amount of film for the same material shot compared to the more common 4-perf frame (whether spherical flat or anamorphic) The difference in grain can be because of different condition of the source elements used for the transfer. But also, depending on which edition of the film you are watching, all three of those films have had wildly varying degrees of quality in the transfers to video over the years. It's like a treasure hunt for collectors to find the best version of each film. Grain is one thing (and grain in and of itself is not a bad thing), but also color. There are some editions where the color grading has too much green. I'm not positive, but the version shown here might have been the one with that complaint.
Probably one of the best descriptions of Techniscope I've read.So many descriptions I've read seem to have no clue what the process entails and lead to stupid phrases like "filmed in beautiful anamorphic Techniscope"! It seems that transfers of Techniscope can be very problematic.The Christopher Lee movie DRACULA:PRINCE OF DARKNESS is a good example.Compare the UK blu-ray (allegedly from the unconverted Techniscope negative,it has a green/yellow cast that makes some of the women's faces look green,plus a bit too bright for darker sequences and scrubbed of all grain) to the U.S. blu (taken from Fox's blow-up elements,it's darker,much grainer and kind of grimy looking,but probably much closer to what audiences saw at the time).
Amazing breakdown. Thanks for the insightful description. I remember reading about the 35mm 2 perf technique and reading this had all the article flood back and explains the anamorphic aspect ratio of the film when it's using spherical lenses. I love this kind of stuff. I love art, the science and the engineering of it all.
haha you on the left, you were so into the film making stuff that it almost gave the impression you lost some of the story telling elements. But that is ok, glad you enjoyed it :D
I did! it's also how I think it was intended. You are supposed to forget about certain characters and plot points so when they come back around you are surprised or excited to revisit that part of the storyline. I did get excited for sure! At this point I am such a fan of this character and the arc, I was really geeking out on the amazing talent of what they created and how they just continued to get better and better. I love this trilogy so much now that I know it exists!
Did that thing again, went right to the end, Ennio Morricone, greatest film composer of all time, followed by Vengelis of course, but Sergio and Morricone are unequalled...just gorgeous
Another film by the master Sergio Leone is the underrated film originally named Duck You Sucker which ended up been renamed A Fistful of Dynamite starring James Coburn and its brilliant
Clint didn't want to make this film for fear of being stereotyped, they convinced him with a sports car, $500k acting fee (i believe that's the right figure) and 10% of the box office, considering on release it made $30mill, that's not a bad pay check. Love your enthusiasm for this, the film still gives me chills.
Chances are that even putting aside being "cast-typed" (or "stereotyped") the thought going on his head was something among the line "Yeah, this is going to be the third in the series, chances are it's going to suck badly and exist only for monetary exploitation of the audience". Little did he know, he was going to contribute to one of the best movies ever made (regardless of genre definition).
I have the same hair color as Clint, here in Italy I am considered blond (in fact I am!) but for the commonwealth it is light brown, obviously the director, who is Italian, gave the name "blondie" because for him Clint is blond ! I think the explanation is that there are no very light blondes here and the names of the chromatic scale move towards dark!
Hi I'm from Italy i'm a fan of this trilogy too, for me Sergio Leone's films he brought cultural concept of realism in America , even a bad guy can do an esteemed job of high institutional value, even a good guy can do a job that is little appreciated or almost marginalized in society, i think ugliness represents "life" in a certain sense, that whoever suffers it fully becomes in some way a victim of events and not an executioner, even if an accomplice, this somehow makes him ugly. For this reason ugliness in the end is a good person who has not survived the difficulties of life, more it is fair to say that he has become part of it... the part with the meeting with his brother priest reveals this aspect, then for this reason the time for the ugly story was longer because it was more necessary. This is my opinion ye
That did not disappoint. Thank you. I’m down for whatever you choose next. Pale rider, once upon a time in the West. It’s hard to ever top this trilogy but there are still some good Westerns to view. Bring it on.
The scene where they blew the bridge, they blew it twice. The first time it was blown in error , they had the spanish army rebuild it, to then blow it again for the shot.
This was the first X-rated film I ever saw at the cinema, which give a clue to how old I am! full-size screen, too, so it was extra awesome - especially the battle scenes. The DVD extras said that the music for the shootout was modelled on bullfighters' music when the climax has been reached and resolution is about to happen - or words to that effect!
Good to see a couple filmmakers react to this movie. There's a reason why it's on my top 10 list of recommended films. Another one on my top 10 list is a war movie. Most people would say Saving Private Ryan or Platoon are the best war movies, but from a film making perspective, I would recommend Patton. It won Oscars for best picture, director and best actor. Another movie on my top 10 filmmaking list : To Kill A Mockingbird. The atmosphere is thick in that movie.
My Mom watching this with me when I was a kid: "None of them are good, they are all bad and ugly." I still describe the movie this way... Also, I don't know for sure, but I think that, since this was written by Italians, the "Blondie" thing makes sense. In latin-based culture and language (like Italian, Spanish, French), someone who is called "Blonde" is someone who is light-skinned with lighter hair. Hair might be light or medium brown, but the person will be described as blonde. I was known as a "blonde" in France when I was a kid, even though I have nut-brown hair. But I didn't have dark enough hair or skin to be called a "brune" (Brunette). I think that a more appropriate American nickname for Clint's character might have been "Whitey".
Looking forward to Pale Rider! If you don't mind a suggestion, once you guys are done with westerns you might consider samurai films - the two genres really go hand-in-hand and feature some great filmmakers, actors and cinematographers. Thanks and keep up the great work.
Remember the part of the bridge is that they accidentally blew it up and then they had to rebuild it and that is the second shot you see of the bridge blowing up,.
@@majormoviemadness9927 ok they were ready to get the bridge blowing up shots and There was a mis communication and they blew the bridge. But the cameras were not ready. So they got the help of the Spanish army to rebuild the bridge and they got the shot.
@@majormoviemadness9927 The movie was backed by the Spanish government and so the bridge and most of the sets were built by the Spanish army. The extras were Spanish army and it was army demolition experts who blew the bridge. Leone gave the honor of signalling the demolition to the army commander but he misunderstood the process, and gave the signal before the cameras were rolling! So the army rebuilt the bridge (though not structurally sound as that wasn't needed) and they blew it up again.
Without doubt a masterpiece, I really enjoyed your perspective as filmmakers. I would like to see your reaction to Lawrence of Arabia which is one of my top 5 along with The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
did you know Eli Wallach almost died making this movie? because he was thirsty on set and almost drank a bottle of acid that the prop guys used to make the gold coin bags split open. he was stopped just in time before he took a big swig.
Angel eyes one of the really great movie names. I was living in Perth and this was showing at the down town movie palace. I made the matinee 4 days in a row, great popcorn a real experience.
Blondie knew he needed to not act before Tuco got Angel Eyes attention to shoot at because Blondie knew Tuco's gun was not loaded. Tuco and Angel Eyes were acting on 3-way gunfight strategy, and Blondie knew he just had to make sure Angel Eyes did not try to shoot him.
I've always noticed him getting the signature serape, but you pointed out something that I missed is that he also gets his signature hat in this one too. Once Upon A Time In The West has to be next. To me, that movie is just as good as this one.
From what I vaguelly remember from a DVD extras doc (probably with Christoper Frayling) legal issues (many of them Japanese in orgin) delayed the release of the first two Leone movies in the USA. Although they were each made a year apart they were show in in cinamas weeks apart. The "man with no name" concept was added as an afterthought as a north american marketing device by United Artists to link together the three different stories with a common cast into some sort of single overarching narrative.
In Australia, Bushmen use to put strings n cork lines hanging around the rim of their hats to help keep the flies off your face, i assume the tassels on the Sombreros are probably for the same purpose.
The dangly bobbles hanging around the perimeter of the bandidos' sombreros do serve a practical purpose - their constant movement is intended to deter flies and other annoying flying insects. Aussies in the outback used bottle corks dangling from their titfers for the same purpose.
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Fun fact, there was a miscommunication on set that led to the first bridge explosion going off before any cameras were rolling and before everyone was a safe distance away. Luckily no one was injured or killed. The bridge had to be rebuilt and blown up again which almost blew the budget. In the second (filmed) explosion the rocks that land next to Clint and Eli were real and could've easily killed them.
In “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” (1965) Tuco uncovers the grave of Arch Stanton and finds a skeleton in the coffin not the promised $200,000 he, Blonde and Angel Eyes have been looking for. Leone couldn’t get a prop skeleton to look the way he wanted it to look on film. He said he wish they could get a real skeleton, so set decorator Carlo Leva found out that a lady in Madrid had a real skeleton for hire. It was her mother's (who in life had been an actress) skeleton and before she died, she expressed the wish that her skeleton should be used in movies, so that her acting career could continue after death. Leva rented the skeleton and it is her real skeleton you see in the grave of Arch Stanton.
That’s kind of amazing
The budget was 1.2 million, about ten million in today's money. It grossed $38 million, about 300 million today.
"When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk."
For some reason, THAT line really stuck with me as a kid...
The movie that gives the word epic true meaning, 11 out of 5 serapes indeed!
Because It’s a great line! Eli Wallach was so memorable in this. Whenever you can steal scenes from Clint, you’re pretty good.
@@beatmet2355 Stole from Clint or not Eli Wallach was putting on an all star performance that certainly stood toe to toe. Absolutely Excellent. I had seen him in this movie years before I knew the actors name and I thought he was a Mexican actor, it was fun to find out he is actually Jewish.
Then you grow and the line that makes all the difference is:
You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig.
That line has entered several quote books, and with damn good reason. So many heroes in so many films - and probably real men in real life - have been shot while delivering a final victory speech.
@@franl155 Heroes or bad guys....
""Wait?" Are you kidding me? Did you just say, "Wait"? Judge Dredd - *the* Judge Dredd - finally gets on the wrong end of a gun and all he says is, "Wait." You know what? I expected more from you. I mean, wait for what? Wait for me to change my mind? Wait for another two or three seconds of life because you are so f***ing weak you can't stand to see it end?"
American actors, an Italian director, shot in Spain. And yes it's a classic 👌.
Eli wallach Italian Origen
One of the best live concerts I've ever been to was Ennio Morricone in London. Dude conducted Ecstasy of Gold with 30 singers and a soprano.
Same. I saw him in Stockholm and it was amazing.
Metallica opens every show with that
I can’t think of a better song to do that
There is very good reasons why they shot the movie in Spain. At the time, Spain was under the rule of military dictator General Franco. And he was desperate to improve Spain's economic situation, and one plan for that was to invite foreign film makers to come to Spain to shoot movies. All the extras in this movie were Spanish soldiers, and all the weapons were brought out from military Museums. The Army engineers built the bridge and other set pieces.
They blew that bridge..... TWICE!!!
@@The_coal_mine luckily the camera was rolling the second time... 😉
@@The_coal_mineFranco is familiar with getting blown up. Lol
When I was a kid in NYC, the Academy of Music did a Saturday special - 'Spend the day with Clint Eastwood', all 3 films back to back, big theater, big screen, intermissions to buy more popcorn. Being a kid, it cost 75 cents in 1966. In the early 90's I went to the Telluride Film Festival and they did a restored 70mm showing of this film - introduced by the man himself, Clint Eastwood.
One of the greatest of all time. CINEMATIC HEAVEN!!!! The director had the music before he filmed it too.
Best reaction to this film that I've seen, genuine appreciation of the story, and insight on the cinematography. Really fun to share your enjoyment, thank you
Thank you. We appreciate you appreciation to a classic watch or ours!
Greatest western of all time.
I can’t understand how filmmakers haven’t seen classics like this previously.
Lee Van Cleef dressed exactly like one of his childhood heroes in two movies “Spaghetti Westerns’ Wyatt Earp. Lee’s costume is a perfect copy of the famous outfit worn by Wyatt Earp in 1881 in Tombstone Arizona. Lee provided his own clothes as did Clint Eastwood. Lee even used a 12 inch barrel Colt like the one used by Marshall Earp. The Hat, Coat, Shirt, Vest, Tie with Tie pin, Boots, Guns every detail is a Tribute to the most famous Lawman-Marshall in American history. John Wayne often said he made all his characters after Wyatt Earp saying every time he walked onto a movie set he pretended to be Wyatt Earp in the way he walked and talked. Clint Eastwood was also influenced by Wyatt and said he fashioned Inspector Harry Callahan “Dirty Harry” after the most famous Lawman Marshall in history… Wyatt Earp.
My fave reaction to one of my absolute fave movies. That last ten minutes-- the Ectasy and then the Trio -- is unmatched filmmaking, IMO. Genius.
The best western of all time, hands down. That bridge scene sometimes gives me nightmares. I dream that men are still fighting over the bridge, completely unaware or despite that the Civil War is long been over. I understand it is a weird for someone like me to fixate on, but the Civil War is a hobby interest of mine and such a meaningless battle is horrifying to me.
Fun Fact: This is a "prequel" to A Fistful Of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More, as it is set during the American Civil War while the other two movies are set afterward. Towards the end of this movie, Blondie (Clint Eastwood) acquires his trademark poncho. It works when you take all three movies as a whole.
Bonus Fact: Though no specific year or date is stated in this movie, at least part of it takes place during the New Mexico Campaign of 1862. This is confirmed when the hotelkeeper and Tuco mention the retreating Confederate General Sibley (real-life Henry H. Sibley) and the advancing Union Colonel Canby (another historical person, Colonel Edward Canby). This is consistent with the campaign that took place between February and April 1862 in the Union territory of New Mexico and the Confederate state of Texas.
Once Uppon A Time In The West is the best western of all time. Not even a question, also Leones best movie.
@@ginalmarton2002 disagree with that, this one takes it hands down.
He arguably has 3 of the greatest movies of all time.
@@jgmediting7770 Third one being Once Uppon a Time In America?
@@ginalmarton2002 yes.
I love the final scene especially. He's put Tuco in the rope and up on the grave marker and rides off. He's left Tuco his share, the money is at his feet. At first it feels like OK he's not taking his half but he's getting revenge for all the other crap. Tuco it seems is going to die inches away from the money that would of set him up for life. But then Blondie returns and shoots the rope. Then I realized, if he hadn't done it like that he would of had to kill Tuco, Tuco being who he was would of tried to get all the money and that would of meant killing him and Blondie did actually want to kill him. Breaking the rope at distance gave him room to leave with his share, and of course was a call back, still letting Tuco know (I'm still the one who cuts the rope) The last part of it is Blondie riding off and the music playing is his classic theme from a fist full of dollars, basically beginning his journey into that future. Love it.
Hope you'll watch Once Upon a Time in The West... my personal favorite western... sooo effin good.
I love the opening to that film.
Yeah, Harmonica is one of the best Western characters ever.
It's not my favorite western. It's my favorite movie of any genre. It is an absolutely perfect movie--long but perfect.
Hopefully they’ll also do once upon a time in America.
Here's somebody else who was a film student, and I think works in the industry, do a reaction to that movie.
th-cam.com/video/yoaSr3g-aBM/w-d-xo.html
Eli as Tuco owns this film
I’d watch this at least 4-5 times a year with my Scottish grandfather as a kid…he was always showing me awesome classic films
Eastwood plays a different character in each movie.
I would agree, but with an asterisk. I think it is a variation, or better, an evolution of the character. He's the same character who's just had a life lived so by "A Few Dollars More" he is a fully evolved 'Man with no name'. Another reason I like that "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" was filmed last is that it speaks to how Clint and the Writer/Director had to strip the character back and let him be a younger less lived and experienced person. If there was a 4th film, we would get the apex of this character that Clint is portraying.
@@MajorProgress I agree he's refining his performance, but the character is a different character. Joe is not Manco and Manco isnt Blondie. The only conection between them is Eastwood. Saying they are the same person is like claiming Colonel Mortimer and Angel Eyes are the same character because they're both played by Lee Van Cleef in the same costume. Don't forget the whole "Man With No Name" label was invented by the distributor after the films were made in order to market them to the US.
@@cutthr0atjake good point! I will definitely do a rewatch on this because honestly, you have a solid argument here.
I'm sure you'll love "The good, the bad and the ugly", the plot, the outstanding actors, the amazing job did by Leone and Morricone and how they used the stunning music written by the latter. Greetings from Rome guys, Leone and Morricone's city.
grazie mille, mi manca essere in italia che posto meraviglioso
@@majormoviemadness9927 Grazie!!! E buona visione de "Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo"!!! Aspetto la vostra recensione!
@@majormoviemadness9927 I loved your review of that masterpiece, I think they really did an outstanding back then...everything was perfect: the plot, the music, the pauses, the close up shots of all those characters and of all those scarred and dirty bandits' faces, the civil war background...I think they, Leone and Morricone but the superb actors too, realized a magnificent job.
Leone used to play the Morricone music on the movie set, allowing the actors to pace their movements accordingly.
i remember watching this as a kid and when he puts the noose around tuco"s neck i felt sad not just in a he is about to die but it just felt wrong and then the final scene is the on of the coolest sigh of relief i've ever felt.
Every one has seen or heard this movie 🎥 even if they never actually saw it. It's that iconic. Hard to believe it wasn't that popular when it came out. But it did redefine the genre.
Greatest film of all time with the greatest score.
I’ve watched a hell of a lot of movies in my 67 years. Tuco has to be in the top five of my favorite characters. Maybe top three.
Top 5 film of all time…I love playing all the guitar parts from this legendary score…fun as hell to play
There is a vid on youtube where someone has removed the epic Morricone score from the final shootout and replaced it with natural sounds, and it is the most tedious five minutes of nothing at all whatsoever happening.
Speaking of which please please please also do _Once Upon a Time in the West_
Final duel has to be understood after the whole movie. Try to think about, after being shot, kicked, slashed, hung, almost dying of starving, crossing deserts and eating their dust, after fight against bandits, soldiers, bounty hounters and killers, after see slaughters and a war, lots of innocents dying in it...after that long trip through Hell, with your face covered in blood, sand and gunpowder...
There's a treasure, waiting for you, somewhere...in the place where many other died trying to find it. Better take profit from your chance or be killed by the hand of the other.
Masterpiece of edition, music, atmosphere, timing and performances
The meal scene was like that burger scene in Pulp Fiction
This is the best western, and one of the best movies ever made. And like you said its a master class in movie making. The look, the framing, the close and wide shots - amazing. And at the end - the best cinematic climax in all of movie making. The 3 anti heros meet up for the showdown. The whole showdown is 3 guys standing there for 6 minutes looking at each other. The exquisite music carries the scene and the tension is built with the slow wide shots eventually going to fast tight shots. Perfection.
In the bathtub scene the gun wasn't in the water it was in the bubbles.
The tassels on the hat rims were to keep fly's away.
Tuco Ramirez is one of the best characters ever!
What Clint Eastwood wears is NOT a Sarape, it's a PONCHO!! A sarape is a blanket, a poncho is something to be worn as an outer garmet to be worn for warmth.
Eli Wallach is so damn good in this.
I agree. He is one of my favorite movie characters of all time.
Just love your passion for these films. Great!
Both sides against the middle. Difficult to do....but mastered in this one....Love this one.
It's just this particular modern restoration that you're looking at. All three films were shot in Techniscope, which is a 2 perf 35. Half a normal frame height, wide with spherical lenses.
"Millions of dollars"? :D They are pretty cheap movies. This one was just $1.2 mil.
One of my top favorite movies, I'm 50 i saw this when i was 10yrs old! Great reaction guys!😃👍🏼
The shot of the noose coming into frame over Eli is Iconic. Because Peter Jackson had CGI he was able to upgrade this shot at the climax of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Iconic! I wanna grab a screenshot, print it out, and then it on my wall!
It's been a while since I've seen Peter Jackson's trilogy, but I can't say I recall Tuco's appearance at the end of "The Return Of The King".
Not sure if it's still on Nflix, but there's a GREAT documentary called Sad Hill Unearthed. Covers some of the filmmaking, but mostly is the story of a bunch of volunteers that found and restored the Sad Hill Cemetery set near Burgos in northern Spain a few years ago, and ultimately showed the movie outdoors with some V SPECIAL guests for its 50th anniversary. I cried.
My top 5 westerns
1. The Good, Bad & Ugly
2. Unforgiven
3. Once upon a time in the west
4. The Magnificent 7
5. Young guns movies (I grew up with those)
All three were great actors. Clint, Eli and Lee. Eli Wallach won an honorary Oscar. He also had several Emmy nominations and one win.
One small detail that also lends to this film being a prequel....clients character is wearing a most of the film. But then he leaves the cost and at the end has the famous poncho
All Sergio Leone's westerns were shot in 35 mm Technirama 2 step (holes pr. frame), in contrast to normal 35 mm 4 steps (holes pr. frame). Thereby the Italiens could use normal lenses for 35 mm film and get away with with very harsh close-ups, in contrast to normal Panavision and Cinemascope that used horizontal sqeezing lens in the first take, which would have resulted in heavy distorted close-ups. In the laboritory the frames from 35 mm 2 step was squeezed horizontaly to fit the 35 mm 4 step theatrical film equal to the traditional Panavision and Cinemascope format.
once upon a time in america
is his masterpiece
EXELENTE AMIGOS..
GRACIAS..
APARTE LA PANTALLA DEL FILM EN NEDIO DE USTEDES ES GENIAL.. SALUDOS DESDE ARGENTINA
I heard that Sergio scored a couple of very expensive old large cameras in a studio sale that had huge aperture lens (90mm ?) that gave him the freedom for depth of field and low light shots used especially in once upon a time in the west
Leone's views on the "Western," are an amalgamation of Western directors he admired and his work in Peplum.
Tarantino's favorite 😍 movie!
Once upon a time and the good the bad arey favorite films of all time. Adventures movies dont have these days
If you guys are impressed with the number of extras in these scenes, you should watch Waterloo (1970). 16,000 extras were used, in a single scene.
Funny I’m doing a napoleon podcast right now I might just do that
The cinematography, story, commentary/messages, characters and their development, epic feel, physical acting(so much was communicated without dialog), and musical score are all really good. What makes this film great IMHO is "The Ecstasy of Gold" and its use; and the tension/suspense of the 3-way quick-draw with enough time for the audience to think about its dilemma to the characters.
Without knowing that Blondie rigged it, the problem they faced is that whoever acted first would lose so noone should act first. Even if the one who acted first hit his target disabling/killing his target, he would draw the attention of his target to shoot him leaving the other guy to shoot whoever does not fall. With each guy extremely skilled and they all know that, the third to act would hit/kill the first to act if he was not hit or the first's target still standing/not hit.
After it is revealed to the audience that Tuco's gun is not loaded and Blondie rigged the contest, then there is a whole new logic to apply to the characters. Blondie could be focused on Angel Eyes as his target and wait for one of the others to act, and then shoot Angel Eyes - he knows exactly his target(and can concentrate only on that) while the other two are unsure. This gives him an edge and he does shoot and hit Angel Eyes reacting to Tuco's move. From the personalities of the other two, Blondie would think it would be Tuco to act first. He's the most impulsive and a risk-taker; and very confident in his ability to out-draw someone. Blondie knows that Tuco would also most-likely target Angel Eyes due to the beating he took, his knowledge that Angel Eyes would never let him leave with any gold or hunt him down(as "the Bad"), Angel Eyes would probably shoot at him(Tuco), Blondie would probably shoot at Angel Eyes, and his past alliance with Blondie hoping for some collusion in targeting Angel Eyes. Blondie also knows that Angel Eyes would be most-wary of Tuco, Angel Eyes also had an alliance with Blondie, and Angel Eyes could hope for a deal if/once Tuco was down. Angel Eyes could also have some doubt that he would know where the gold is if Blondie was dead.
So, there's a lot to think about during the 3-way staredown, and we were given a lot of time to contemplate things. I think most would first think about who they thought would win, and then move on to the deeper logic.
Once upon a time in the west next please gents.
Great review of a great movie. Lee Van Cleef lost the end joint of the middle finger of his right hand, seen briefly at 26:05, so you can always tell it's him with the hand-modelling close-up on the guns.
The scene with the bottle that rolls down the sand dune and stops at Eastwood's head. So famous. So great.
Same reaction I had, The Ecstasy Of Gold and Trio Standoff/Gunfight scenes are some of the best in film history
It's the music that really makes this great
What I like about these movies is how the main characters are all outlaws. Not even Clint Eastwood's character is 100% a good guy, he's just less nasty than the others. Hahaha. And they're all pretty much chasing after leads or running schemes.
That scheme Blondie and Tuco run at the start where they keep handing in Tuco's bounty and then saving him from the noose, I loved it. It makes it feel very different from regular movies with heroes in it.
According to Leone biographer Sir Christopher Frayling, Leone preferred to use Techniscope, which is also known as Super 35. It was terrific with panoramic shots, but Leone discovered it was even better with extreme close-ups.
When I was a child our household only had few VHS movies that I could watch. Despite being 5 and not knowing english or being able to read subtitles this was my favourite film. Now as an adult it is very easy to understand why that was the case. The story and archetypes are so universal and cross cultural that you do not need to understand a single word to enjoy this masterpiece and you are still able to follow the story. You could literally base this story in medieval japan or futuristic dystopia and it still would work.
All three films were 35mm - but all three also used the the 2-perf Techniscope process (which was first introduced by Technicolor Italia in '60), basically a flat widescreen process that used a generally smaller area of the negative for each frame than a true anamorphic scope frame. Same width, but much shorter height. Using spherical lenses helped Leone get those close-ups that were pin-sharp focused without also getting the side distortion those early anamorphic lenses had.
This helps in cost because you are using only half the amount of film for the same material shot compared to the more common 4-perf frame (whether spherical flat or anamorphic)
The difference in grain can be because of different condition of the source elements used for the transfer. But also, depending on which edition of the film you are watching, all three of those films have had wildly varying degrees of quality in the transfers to video over the years. It's like a treasure hunt for collectors to find the best version of each film. Grain is one thing (and grain in and of itself is not a bad thing), but also color. There are some editions where the color grading has too much green. I'm not positive, but the version shown here might have been the one with that complaint.
Probably one of the best descriptions of Techniscope I've read.So many descriptions I've read seem to have no clue what the process entails and lead to stupid phrases like "filmed in beautiful anamorphic Techniscope"!
It seems that transfers of Techniscope can be very problematic.The Christopher Lee movie DRACULA:PRINCE OF DARKNESS is a good example.Compare the UK blu-ray (allegedly from the unconverted Techniscope negative,it has a green/yellow cast that makes some of the women's faces look green,plus a bit too bright for darker sequences and scrubbed of all grain) to the U.S. blu (taken from Fox's blow-up elements,it's darker,much grainer and kind of grimy looking,but probably much closer to what audiences saw at the time).
Amazing breakdown. Thanks for the insightful description. I remember reading about the 35mm 2 perf technique and reading this had all the article flood back and explains the anamorphic aspect ratio of the film when it's using spherical lenses. I love this kind of stuff. I love art, the science and the engineering of it all.
Did these idiots think its 16 mm lol
haha you on the left, you were so into the film making stuff that it almost gave the impression you lost some of the story telling elements. But that is ok, glad you enjoyed it :D
I did! it's also how I think it was intended. You are supposed to forget about certain characters and plot points so when they come back around you are surprised or excited to revisit that part of the storyline. I did get excited for sure! At this point I am such a fan of this character and the arc, I was really geeking out on the amazing talent of what they created and how they just continued to get better and better. I love this trilogy so much now that I know it exists!
Did that thing again, went right to the end, Ennio Morricone, greatest film composer of all time, followed by Vengelis of course, but Sergio and Morricone are unequalled...just gorgeous
Another film by the master Sergio Leone is the underrated film originally named Duck You Sucker which ended up been renamed A Fistful of Dynamite starring James Coburn and its brilliant
Clint didn't want to make this film for fear of being stereotyped, they convinced him with a sports car, $500k acting fee (i believe that's the right figure) and 10% of the box office, considering on release it made $30mill, that's not a bad pay check.
Love your enthusiasm for this, the film still gives me chills.
Chances are that even putting aside being "cast-typed" (or "stereotyped") the thought going on his head was something among the line "Yeah, this is going to be the third in the series, chances are it's going to suck badly and exist only for monetary exploitation of the audience".
Little did he know, he was going to contribute to one of the best movies ever made (regardless of genre definition).
I have the same hair color as Clint, here in Italy I am considered blond (in fact I am!) but for the commonwealth it is light brown, obviously the director, who is Italian, gave the name "blondie" because for him Clint is blond ! I think the explanation is that there are no very light blondes here and the names of the chromatic scale move towards dark!
Once upon a time in the west sharing.
Yes we’ve decided to do it
Hi I'm from Italy i'm a fan of this trilogy too, for me Sergio Leone's films he brought cultural concept of realism in America , even a bad guy can do an esteemed job of high institutional value, even a good guy can do a job that is little appreciated or almost marginalized in society, i think ugliness represents "life" in a certain sense, that whoever suffers it fully becomes in some way a victim of events and not an executioner, even if an accomplice, this somehow makes him ugly.
For this reason ugliness in the end is a good person who has not survived the difficulties of life, more it is fair to say that he has become part of it... the part with the meeting with his brother priest reveals this aspect, then for this reason the time for the ugly story was longer because it was more necessary.
This is my opinion ye
Two Mules for Sister Sara is also a masterpiece and a great one to add if its not there already.
That did not disappoint. Thank you. I’m down for whatever you choose next. Pale rider, once upon a time in the West. It’s hard to ever top this trilogy but there are still some good Westerns to view. Bring it on.
The scene where they blew the bridge, they blew it twice.
The first time it was blown in error , they had the spanish army rebuild it, to then blow it again for the shot.
You have to check out The Quick and the Dead directed by Dam Raimi. Another western that is not the norm with a great cast.
Another way to know it’s a prequel it’s that he gets the poncho in this movie
THIS IS THE FIRST IN SEQUENCE IN THE TRILOGY AS HE ACQUIRES THE PONCHO FOR THE FIRST TIME.
This was the first X-rated film I ever saw at the cinema, which give a clue to how old I am! full-size screen, too, so it was extra awesome - especially the battle scenes.
The DVD extras said that the music for the shootout was modelled on bullfighters' music when the climax has been reached and resolution is about to happen - or words to that effect!
This movie is perfection
Do Once Upon a Time in America and Once Upon a Time in the West. Leone was the best cheers
Good to see a couple filmmakers react to this movie. There's a reason why it's on my top 10 list of recommended films. Another one on my top 10 list is a war movie.
Most people would say Saving Private Ryan or Platoon are the best war movies, but from a film making perspective, I would recommend Patton. It won Oscars for best picture, director and best actor.
Another movie on my top 10 filmmaking list : To Kill A Mockingbird.
The atmosphere is thick in that movie.
When we do our war madness
Really enjoyed listening to you talk about the movie I love this movie for years
My Mom watching this with me when I was a kid: "None of them are good, they are all bad and ugly." I still describe the movie this way...
Also, I don't know for sure, but I think that, since this was written by Italians, the "Blondie" thing makes sense. In latin-based culture and language (like Italian, Spanish, French), someone who is called "Blonde" is someone who is light-skinned with lighter hair. Hair might be light or medium brown, but the person will be described as blonde. I was known as a "blonde" in France when I was a kid, even though I have nut-brown hair. But I didn't have dark enough hair or skin to be called a "brune" (Brunette). I think that a more appropriate American nickname for Clint's character might have been "Whitey".
in the original soundtrack this musicpart goes still longer (there are three "refrain"), so leone planed it initial longer than this.
Looking forward to Pale Rider! If you don't mind a suggestion, once you guys are done with westerns you might consider samurai films - the two genres really go hand-in-hand and feature some great filmmakers, actors and cinematographers. Thanks and keep up the great work.
@@btraven7536 No offense, but I hope that's not the case.
Remember the part of the bridge is that they accidentally blew it up and then they had to rebuild it and that is the second shot you see of the bridge blowing up,.
Wait what explain?
@@majormoviemadness9927 ok they were ready to get the bridge blowing up shots and There was a mis communication and they blew the bridge. But the cameras were not ready. So they got the help of the Spanish army to rebuild the bridge and they got the shot.
@@majormoviemadness9927 The movie was backed by the Spanish government and so the bridge and most of the sets were built by the Spanish army. The extras were Spanish army and it was army demolition experts who blew the bridge. Leone gave the honor of signalling the demolition to the army commander but he misunderstood the process, and gave the signal before the cameras were rolling! So the army rebuilt the bridge (though not structurally sound as that wasn't needed) and they blew it up again.
@@alalcoolj216 gahhhhh how terrible
You guys are going to do "Once Upon A Time In The West", right??? RIGHT?????
Yes shooting this week
@@majormoviemadness9927 I approve!!! Looking forward to it. Once Upon A Time In The West and Blade Runner are my two favorite films.
LOL, Yes! We are watching and reacting this week!
Without doubt a masterpiece, I really enjoyed your perspective as filmmakers. I would like to see your reaction to Lawrence of Arabia which is one of my top 5 along with The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.
They did not shoot on 16mm for any of the Leone Westerns. It was all 35 Technicscope and others.
did you know Eli Wallach almost died making this movie? because he was thirsty on set and almost drank a bottle of acid that the prop guys used to make the gold coin bags split open. he was stopped just in time before he took a big swig.
6:25…Clint was like the Wild West Batman…what a cold ass line
Angel eyes one of the really great movie names. I was living in Perth and this was showing at the down town movie palace. I made the matinee 4 days in a row, great popcorn a real experience.
The cemetery theme, “Ecstasy of Gold” is used by Metallica at their live shows as the intro to their set, along with footage from the film.
This is the greatest western ever in my opinion. The best non-Clint Eastwood western in my opinion is the original version of the magnificent seven.
Here is one for you. Tuco is fastest shooter out of trio. That is why Angel Eyes is going for Tuco first. And Clint In this movie was slowest.
Blondie knew he needed to not act before Tuco got Angel Eyes attention to shoot at because Blondie knew Tuco's gun was not loaded. Tuco and Angel Eyes were acting on 3-way gunfight strategy, and Blondie knew he just had to make sure Angel Eyes did not try to shoot him.
I've always noticed him getting the signature serape, but you pointed out something that I missed is that he also gets his signature hat in this one too.
Once Upon A Time In The West has to be next. To me, that movie is just as good as this one.
Yes, but Henry Fonda is no Clint Eastwood.
From what I vaguelly remember from a DVD extras doc (probably with Christoper Frayling) legal issues (many of them Japanese in orgin) delayed the release of the first two Leone movies in the USA. Although they were each made a year apart they were show in in cinamas weeks apart. The "man with no name" concept was added as an afterthought as a north american marketing device by United Artists to link together the three different stories with a common cast into some sort of single overarching narrative.
Whiskey! Hiyoooooo!
The tassels on the brims of the hats were more than just decorative...they also discouraged flies from landing
That’s why I love this, you learn so much
In Australia, Bushmen use to put strings n cork lines hanging around the rim of their hats to help keep the flies off your face, i assume the tassels on the Sombreros are probably for the same purpose.
The dangly bobbles hanging around the perimeter of the bandidos' sombreros do serve a practical purpose - their constant movement is intended to deter flies and other annoying flying insects. Aussies in the outback used bottle corks dangling from their titfers for the same purpose.
"The Ecstasy of Gold" on Sad Hill. Unmatched.