This is also one of the best western movies I've seen. Followed by the other classic starring Charles Bronson and Henry Fonda: "Once upon a time in the west "(1968). These are the best two western movies directed by Sergio Leone with legendary music by Ennio Morricone
Once Upon A Time in the West is a good candidate for the pinnacle of classic Western films. Much better pacing and plotting than The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, and a cast that turns in equally iconic performances. It is only second in score, and it is a close second.
I think Once Upon a Time in the West is not only the best Western of all time, but also one of the best movies in general of all time. Good bad and the ugly is really high up there for westerns, but Once Upon a time is a straight masterpiece.
@@mytholictim I get that but most of them have never even seen it. They are told about the "trilogy" with Clint Eastwood, who was asked to do the 4th film but declined and so the younger generation don't even know about or don't care because Clint isn't in it.
Sad Hill cemetery was built specifically for this movie. It took a few months to construct and they were able to employ troops from the Spanish Army to help. After shooting was finished, they just left it. It sat for decades with no one tending to it, deteriorating. Finally, just a short time ago, several volunteers took up the task to restore it. It's now a tourist location. A documentary of the restoration can be found on UA-cam.
"I don't find Tuco scary." Tuco is the ugly, not the bad. He's a rat and a thief, but he's not evil evil like Angel Eyes. If you think about it, all three characters are pretty shady.
You know a film is good when you get chills just from watching snippets of it with a commentary intercut over the footage. The Good, The Bad and the Ugly has to be one of, if not, the greatest movie ever made!
37:51 the reason they carried flags back then was for organization. There were no radios, if you got separated from your unit the only way to regroup was visually. And on a battlefield it needed to be big and noticeable. It was also a good way for the officers to keep track of what unit was where,
The final standoff, with the absolutely fantastic music, the editing, the jump cuts from one to another showing what each of the 3 thinks, the gradual close up to show their anticipation until it goes from a full frame to the close up of their eyes. This is HANDS DOWN one of the most epic scene in the history of cinema.
As far as the "Magnificent Seven", that movie is also based on an Akira Kurosawa movie called Seven Samurai just like Fistful of Dollars is based on Akira's Yojimbo. All these films are great and worth watching. And something a lot of people don't know is that Akira Kurosawa was inspired by western novels for his movies.
Love this movie, a lot of people often misunderstand that the "Ugly" in the title here does not mean in terms of "looks", but rather Tuco is a conflicted character showing both "good" traits and "bad" traits, it's about his personality that is often conflicted is why he is the "ugly" rather then his physical looks.
It was explained to me by my brother that this isn't a duel, it's a Mexican stand-off, which is very much more complicated - once you add that third person, it makes things more tense and undpredictable. But of course, Blondie knows it isn't really a Mexican stand-off because he's stacked the deck. If you watch the action within the set up for the final shooting, there's a tiny nod from Blondie to Tuco, which, I believe, Angel Eyes catches, which is why he decides to go for Blondie and not Tuco.
There is another Sergio Leon movie with no talking, in the beginning, but just pure sound design for 7-8 minutes before a beginning stand off and an ending stand off with a twist. That movie, Once Upon A Time In The West (1968). Unfortunately Clint Eastwood is not in it but Charles Bronson, Jason Robert's and Henry Fonda are in it and you'll never guess who the bad guy is until you watch. And the movie has Ennio Morricone doing the music. Once Upon A Time In The West is a masterpiece and masterclass movie making...and you are definitely missing out. Not many react to this movie.
Fun facts. The bridge was a real bridge, but due a communication mishap it was blown up twice. The first time no cameras were rolling. The cemetery stood only for a day. It had to be completely removed immediately after filming had ended. You've seen some of the best western ever, but to decide which one is THE best becomes futile in my opinion. You can take each movie apart scene by scene, compare everything, but in the end it comes down to miniscule details. So miniscule that you could just as well go with which you personally like better. It's been said, 'Once Upon a Time in the West' (1968) is also a great Sergio Leone western worth to be watched. When it comes to 'The Magnificent Seven' (1960) you have an opportunity here. Watch it back to back with 'Seven Samurai' (1954) and watch Seven Samurai first. They tell the same story, but in my opinion The Magnificent Seven is a lesson in how to adapt a movie to another genre. They kept what they could and changed what simply didn't work. When it comes to Clint Eastwood movies, I haven't seen one I regretted to watch. Though I only later found out how many he not only starred in, but also produced and directed.
Hey there. Can’t wait to watch this reaction. Since you’re on a western kick I strongly recommend *The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance* which is a slightly different style than this, but an absolute classic and to me it is the all-time best western. It stars Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne (and Lee Marvin).
You need to watch this one a few times - it's a very grand scale movie, with lots of moving parts and you don't know, the first time, how tight the plot actually is. It's also very character-based, especially, of course, for Tuco, though Blondie gets some very subtle and vital character development. Angel Eyes gets none, of course, but it's Lee Van Cleef, so that's enough all by itself.
The Civil War backdrop is based on the New Mexico Campaign in 1862 when Confederate forces from Texas invaded New Mexico Territory. While they enjoyed some early small victories, a combination of supply chain issues and Union reinforcements coming in from Colorado forced the Confederates to return to Texas after just a few months.
"What you all came here for" - for sure. Somehow almost 6 minutes of "nothing happening" is the most riveting and tension filled scene I've come across. I only watched TGTBATU last year myself and was captivated. The music, the wide shots, the lingering camera work... It's genius.
No, it's #2, Once Upon a Time in The West is the 2001 a Space Odyssey or The Godfather of westerns. Yes, that's how great Sergio Leone was. He made this masterpiece, and then he went and upped the ante again.
That bridge explosion WAS real! In fact the bridge had to be rebuilt because the first one was destroyed by explosion by accident. Those flying rocks were real and if you watch closely you'll see a rock almost hit Eastwood in the head.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig." I agree. 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 has long been over. I understand it is 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: Clint Eastwood wore the same poncho through all three "Man With No Name" movies without replacement or cleaning. Skeleton Key Fact: The skeleton found by Tuco (Eli Wallach) inside the wrong coffin at Sad Hill cemetery was a real human skeleton. A deceased Spanish actress wrote in her will she wanted to act even after her death. Prequel Fact: This is a "prequel" to A Fistful Of Dollars (1964) and For A Few Dollars More (1967), 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. Historical 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.
Love the reaction and appreciation of all the nuances, musical score and imagery! Very astute! This trilogy is more accurately 3 different unrelated stories about the man with no name using many of the same actors in different roles. So much simple but great dialogue with the repeated call backs between Tuco and Blondie. And the unexpected character development moments like the church scene where Blonde see’s the fight between Tuco and Pablo then doesn’t let on that he know’s when Tuco tells his story praising Pablo. Tells us so much about both of them in a pretty organic manner. Thanks for the reaction!
Hi Roly. This film easily makes my top 10 Westerns of all time. The score by Ennio Morricone, alone, elevates it to the top. Perfect cast and perfect direction took care of the rest.
When I was around ten years old and saw this movie on broadcast tv for the first time, I came in on the drunken captain sequence; it's always been one of the stories that's stuck in my mind: the captain is such a tragic figure. And on re-watches, I've grown to believe that this entire episode feeds into making Eastwood's character more open to empathy (I believe the first steps we see are his reactions to Tuco's encounter with his brother).
I've watched the whole trilogy over and over at least once every couple years. I go back and forth which one I love the most. They are each brilliant in different ways. But Tuco may be my favorite side character. So good.
10:12, this and other scenes were left out of the international English release, to be restored in 2003, the voices redubbed by old Eastwood and Wallach, and other actors instead of Van Cleef and other dead or unavailable cast members.
Greatest Westerns 1. The Good the Bad and the Ugly 2. High Noon 3. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid . . 4. One Eyed Jacks 5. High Plains Drifter 6. Stagecoach 7. 3 :10 to Yuma 8. Shane 9. The Searchers 10. Once upon a time in the West 11. The Wild Bunch 12. Forty Guns
So many people debate between "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly" and "The Outlaw Josey Wales" as for which is the best Western Clint has done is still on going but for most, it is now for 2nd place as most on both sides agree that the top spot is "Unforgiven". So if you have not seen them, I and I dare say all other fans highly recommend you watch them. You will NOT be disappointed by either of them!
I also get chills from the music especially in the final duel scene (that's what it is as Tuco is in reality unarmed). Every time, and I've seen this dozens of times. To a quite different genre, I didn't notice you'd seen MIDSOMMAR, from 2019? I really like watching your reactions, and your analysis afterwards, so it would be fab to see what you could say after watching that VERY unique film. (One of my new favourites.)
Definitely a classic. Another classic Clint Eastwood movie that is hardly mentioned but deserves the same respect in my opinion as this one. The Outlaw Josey Wales. This is another epic western set at the end of the Civil War. Filled with unforgettable characters, action, romance, deception, betrayal and revenge. It's a fantastic western!
You asked about The Magnificent Seven. Just like Fistfull of Dollars, it’s a remake of a Kurosawa film. But unlike Yojimbo, Seven Samurai is often whispered in conversation of “Greatest Film of All Time.”
40:00 *"How did they even film that shot?"* They built a bridge. And blew it up. Actually, they built the same bridge twice, and blew it up twice (!). See, spaghetti westerns were often filmed in Spain, because Spain has fantastic natural vistas that can stand in perfectly for the American South West. For this one, Franco's Spanish army turned out and supplied both extras and sappers. An entire bridge was built by the Spanish troops and explosions fitted to it. But as they were getting ready to film the explosion, a random language-barrier miscommunication between an Italian assistant producer and a Spanish sapper let the latter trigger the explosion prematurely without a single camera filming (yeah, I know). And a Spanish colonel felt so crappy about the whole thing that he had his troops rebuild the entire bridge and blow it up again, with cameras filming this time, and that's the explosion that's in the film. And those are actual debris from that bridge slamming down dangerously close to Eastwood and Wallach.
For my money, Tuco Ramirez is one of the greatest film characters of all time. A unrepentant killer but has enough development that you understand completely why he does what he feels he must. If anyone wants a better take of these three iconic characters, The Vile Eye has a video describing his take on them.
I saw these when I was a bit younger than you and though I did not fully understand them, I did revisit them from time to time, understanding more and more as time went on. Of course, this movie and the others, were old by the time I saw them, but there is a quality in them you can't find anywhere else, not even in Tarantino films, though he was much influenced by Sergio's movies, more so at the beginning than now, probably. It is also not actually a trilogy in the sense of continuation, but more in the sense that Clint Eastwood is in every one of them - plus, the marketing dep. thought it clever to package it like that, and it is.
One of my frustrations is that this isn't the original US release of the film. For me, it speaks to your sense of the slow pace of the movie. The scene with the potatoes, Angel Eyes at the confederate hospital and the long scene with Tuco washing his feet were all part of the original european release. Those scenes were cut to shorten the movie enough that american theaters could run the movie once more per day. Those scenes were restored but they had never been dubbed. Decades later, they had Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach redub those scenes so the voices are all off. The film itself was also restored and so, to me, they come across as different and harsh compared to the rest of the film. It seems that any version available is the now lengthened version. Again, that means that for many older folks, this isn't the "original" version of the film from their perspectives. I find the shorter, original version had better pacing.
Just to add to that: the extra 14 minutes were added in 2002 and I havent seen an original version since then. (I have the original on DVD). Also, Lee Van Cleef had died by then so they auditioned voice actors to find a voice close to his. That's why his voice actually sounds more natural because the other 2 had aged 35 since the original release.
It should be mentioned that the version of the film you watched is the extended cut. The original North American cut is four scenes shorter, and that is the version that got a 4K release from Kino Lorber. I like the extended cut, but I have to say that I find the theatrical cut significantly better paced. The Intrada Records 3 disc set of this score is, like, the best thing ever. If you liked For a Few Dollars More and this movie, you MUST check out Once Upon a Time In the West!!! It is the first Western he ever made where he actually got to do location work in the United States (although most of the movie was shot in Spain, just like the rest of them), and the prospect of seeing panoramic shots of Monument Valley set to one of Ennio Morricone’s most beautiful themes ever, with vocals by Edda Dell’Orso (who is the voice on “The Ecstasy of Gold”) should be enough to sell the film on its own, but there is so much more to it than that. It’s a movie about the end of the era, and each character represents some aspect of either the world that is dying, or part of the world that is coming to replace it. When Henry Fonda was approached to play the role he does in the film, he asked Eli Wallach (Tuco) if he should. Wallach apparently told him that he would have the time of his life, but cautioned him that safety wasn’t always the first priority on the shoots. Wallach was almost decapitated doing the train stunt. And, after that, if you want a slightly lighter spin on the genre, check out the Leone-produced (and uncredited co-directed) My Name Is Nobody. It is a lot goofier, but it is still an interesting riff on a lot of similar themes to Once Upon a Time In the West. Morricone is on hand here (his score is pretty bananas, but it’s also kind of a hoot, and when it needs to get a little poignant, it’s absolutely gorgeous), as is Fonda. By the way, Italian film productions of the era never recorded location sound. Most of the actors are just speaking their native language, usually Italian or Spanish, which is why some actors are obviously speaking English, even if their voices are recorded in post, while others look like their lips don’t match anything they’re saying.
I'm sure you eventually realized it, but Clint Eastwood's character is the only one that is the same in each movie. The rest of them, even though some are played by the same actors, are different.
Clint's 'trenchcoat' is a riding 'duster'. Kept dust away, ... sorta. Worn on horseback and stagecoaches. Even in the first cars, the 'horseless carriages' around 1900. Dirt roads.
The shell thing is a snuff box: it holds a kind of powder that you'd sniff and it would make you sneeze. I've read how it could also provide something of a high, and it was very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Great Reaction 👍👍👍. Definitely try The Magnificent Seven. Eli Walich (Tuco) was actually a bigger star at the time, which is why his part is so big. He's also in the Magnificent Seven.🙂
Leone wanted Eastwood and Wallach visable in the bridge explosion. Eastwood could see how close the dugout was to the bridge. I will be up there said Leone. Well , thats where we will be replied Clint. When you see the scene with the doubles a rock blasts into the sandbag next to them. Good call Clint.
Of course it's cool, but the BEST EVER is the "next" (Leone but out of the "trilogy"): Once Upon a Time in The West, a more serious tone, fantastic music, marvelous shots, and a perfect reveal... Best MOVIE ever. Highly recommend.
I like “once upon a time in the west” a little better than “the good the bad and the ugly.” But I don't think the films compare well either. The plot of "once upon a time in the west" is somewhat realistic, it could have happened that way. The plot of "the good the bad and the ugly" is rather crazy, the film is actually a big metaphor, teaches lessons (which is why more humor could be incorporated into it): 1. Cruelty and idiocy of war (scenes from the American civil war) 2. Loss of reason due to greed, gold rush 3. the ugly: the fact that there is not only "good" and "bad" but also something in between that is neither good nor bad. 4. Good and ugly, who at times abuse the system together (scenes with gallows/bounty) and in the end the "good" literally sends the "ugly" into the desert 5. The stark contrast between Tuco and his brother (bandit vs. monk); Both "professions" are emergency solutions to survive in a rough time, so only the two extremes: either violence and egoism or altruism and pacifism. 6. The irony of the fact that "the ugly" is violently prosecuted by the law as a criminal, but "the bad" is a "well-behaved" part of society. 7. "the good" has no name. (The grave with the gold is also nameless) 8. In the final battle only "the good" and "the bad" are actually armed. “the ugly” has a gun but no ammunition in it. 9. Bill Carson's eye patch: you're blind in one eye if you're filthy rich.
Blonie never trusted Tuco, even as a partner. He said that, himself. At the end, Blondie just wanted to get away from Tuco without worrying about being shot in the back. So, he mad ehim put his head in the noose so he could get some distance before he let him go. Darn clever writing if you ask me.
There were very few large glass windows or panels in the old west. There were no glass factories. So glass would need to come across the prairies or on ship around the Horn. Even today, gun stores have pads on the glass counter tops, to prevent breakage. But putting the revolvers on glass creates tension in the scene.
If you drink, while being super dehydrated, your throat will tighten with that little bit of moisture. That’s why you have to rinse your mouth first and spit out quickly.
Thank you, Oliver! 🏜 This is another one my late brother absolutely adored. It's also my favorite of the trilogy. #RolyPolyOllieReactions #SergioLeone #TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly
You may at some stage want to check out How The West Was Won - it's a much earlier film and I think is the "most wide screen format film in history" - they filmed it with 3 cameras side by side to give an aspect ratio that is... crazy. It's very, VERY long and not as good as this movie, but it's a big part of western history.
Very nice reaction and if you are interested in top tier western with iconic and epic scores, I highly recommend 'The magnificent seven' (1960, not the remake crap!) and even more 'Once upon a time in the west' (1968). 😊
13:30 I've been in Glorieta (NMex) & surrounding area a few times. Several different ways you could stage an ambush of one army to another. It is too pretty to be a bloody battleground, but that's where it happened.
"This is such a huge scale!" Ollie, it sounds like you've never seen a Cecil B. DeMille movie and/or any of the "blood & sandals" biblical movies. These are where the saying "a cast of thousands" comes from.
Next level epic trilogy skill achieved! I watch the trilogy every few years and still get chills. Btw watch the performance of this soundtrack by the danish symphony orchestra, even better then the original. Magnificent 7 highly recommended. And of course my fav Spaghetti western Django by Sergio Corbucci from 1966. Once upon a time in the west by Leone even more epic and bigger budget.
Great enthusiasm. I assume you plan to get around to Unforgiven, seeing as how it is a Western that won Eastwood Oscars (Back when people cared about those things still). I'd love to see you react to a few of Eastwood's lesser talked about westerns, Hang 'Em High and Pale Rider. As well as a few John Wayne Westerns like Red River or the Man Who Shot Liberty Valence.
Yes you gotta watch magnificent 7 (my #4 Western of all time) The guy who plays tuco is the bad guy. Also you got to do Unforgiven which is considered Clint's masterpiece and the greatest Western of all time. For me it's the 2nd greatest after Good, Bad & Ugly and of course I'm sure you're been told to do Sergio's last Western Once Upon a time in the west which many also consider as the greatest Western of all time. For me it's #3
Eli Wallach takes this to the next level. He passed in 2014. RIP, Eli.
This is also one of the best western movies I've seen. Followed by the other classic starring Charles Bronson and Henry Fonda: "Once upon a time in the west "(1968). These are the best two western movies directed by Sergio Leone with legendary music by Ennio Morricone
Once Upon A Time in the West is a good candidate for the pinnacle of classic Western films. Much better pacing and plotting than The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, and a cast that turns in equally iconic performances. It is only second in score, and it is a close second.
It's absolutely a top 20 movie
@@gallendugall8913 I agree 100%
I think Once Upon a Time in the West is not only the best Western of all time, but also one of the best movies in general of all time. Good bad and the ugly is really high up there for westerns, but Once Upon a time is a straight masterpiece.
@@mytholictim I get that but most of them have never even seen it. They are told about the "trilogy" with Clint Eastwood, who was asked to do the 4th film but declined and so the younger generation don't even know about or don't care because Clint isn't in it.
Sad Hill cemetery was built specifically for this movie. It took a few months to construct and they were able to employ troops from the Spanish Army to help. After shooting was finished, they just left it. It sat for decades with no one tending to it, deteriorating. Finally, just a short time ago, several volunteers took up the task to restore it. It's now a tourist location. A documentary of the restoration can be found on UA-cam.
"He killed them all while eating chicken" is a perfect summation of Tuco's character.
"I don't find Tuco scary."
Tuco is the ugly, not the bad. He's a rat and a thief, but he's not evil evil like Angel Eyes. If you think about it, all three characters are pretty shady.
The Good killed more then the others 🤔
You know a film is good when you get chills just from watching snippets of it with a commentary intercut over the footage. The Good, The Bad and the Ugly has to be one of, if not, the greatest movie ever made!
My favorite western, this was fun seeing your reaction! Love it!
37:51 the reason they carried flags back then was for organization. There were no radios, if you got separated from your unit the only way to regroup was visually. And on a battlefield it needed to be big and noticeable.
It was also a good way for the officers to keep track of what unit was where,
Thank you. I had an idea about why, but you've really explained it in detail.
Tuco is the best character in any western ever! Dude is tough and hilarious! U cant help but root for him
The final standoff, with the absolutely fantastic music, the editing, the jump cuts from one to another showing what each of the 3 thinks, the gradual close up to show their anticipation until it goes from a full frame to the close up of their eyes.
This is HANDS DOWN one of the most epic scene in the history of cinema.
A lot of other people beat me to it. Once upon a time in the west 1968 should be next
Yes! My favorite! 👍
As far as the "Magnificent Seven", that movie is also based on an Akira Kurosawa movie called Seven Samurai just like Fistful of Dollars is based on Akira's Yojimbo. All these films are great and worth watching.
And something a lot of people don't know is that Akira Kurosawa was inspired by western novels for his movies.
The Magnificent Seven also stars Eli Wallich who played Tuco.
Love this movie, a lot of people often misunderstand that the "Ugly" in the title here does not mean in terms of "looks", but rather Tuco is a conflicted character showing both "good" traits and "bad" traits, it's about his personality that is often conflicted is why he is the "ugly" rather then his physical looks.
It was explained to me by my brother that this isn't a duel, it's a Mexican stand-off, which is very much more complicated - once you add that third person, it makes things more tense and undpredictable.
But of course, Blondie knows it isn't really a Mexican stand-off because he's stacked the deck. If you watch the action within the set up for the final shooting, there's a tiny nod from Blondie to Tuco, which, I believe, Angel Eyes catches, which is why he decides to go for Blondie and not Tuco.
There is another Sergio Leon movie with no talking, in the beginning, but just pure sound design for 7-8 minutes before a beginning stand off and an ending stand off with a twist. That movie, Once Upon A Time In The West (1968). Unfortunately Clint Eastwood is not in it but Charles Bronson, Jason Robert's and Henry Fonda are in it and you'll never guess who the bad guy is until you watch. And the movie has Ennio Morricone doing the music. Once Upon A Time In The West is a masterpiece and masterclass movie making...and you are definitely missing out. Not many react to this movie.
Fun facts. The bridge was a real bridge, but due a communication mishap it was blown up twice. The first time no cameras were rolling.
The cemetery stood only for a day. It had to be completely removed immediately after filming had ended.
You've seen some of the best western ever, but to decide which one is THE best becomes futile in my opinion. You can take each movie apart scene by scene, compare everything, but in the end it comes down to miniscule details. So miniscule that you could just as well go with which you personally like better.
It's been said, 'Once Upon a Time in the West' (1968) is also a great Sergio Leone western worth to be watched.
When it comes to 'The Magnificent Seven' (1960) you have an opportunity here. Watch it back to back with 'Seven Samurai' (1954) and watch Seven Samurai first. They tell the same story, but in my opinion The Magnificent Seven is a lesson in how to adapt a movie to another genre. They kept what they could and changed what simply didn't work.
When it comes to Clint Eastwood movies, I haven't seen one I regretted to watch. Though I only later found out how many he not only starred in, but also produced and directed.
And the cemetery was re-built in 2017! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sad_Hill_Cemetery
Hey there. Can’t wait to watch this reaction. Since you’re on a western kick I strongly recommend *The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance* which is a slightly different style than this, but an absolute classic and to me it is the all-time best western. It stars Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne (and Lee Marvin).
You need to watch this one a few times - it's a very grand scale movie, with lots of moving parts and you don't know, the first time, how tight the plot actually is. It's also very character-based, especially, of course, for Tuco, though Blondie gets some very subtle and vital character development. Angel Eyes gets none, of course, but it's Lee Van Cleef, so that's enough all by itself.
The Civil War backdrop is based on the New Mexico Campaign in 1862 when Confederate forces from Texas invaded New Mexico Territory. While they enjoyed some early small victories, a combination of supply chain issues and Union reinforcements coming in from Colorado forced the Confederates to return to Texas after just a few months.
"What you all came here for" - for sure. Somehow almost 6 minutes of "nothing happening" is the most riveting and tension filled scene I've come across. I only watched TGTBATU last year myself and was captivated. The music, the wide shots, the lingering camera work... It's genius.
No, it's #2, Once Upon a Time in The West is the 2001 a Space Odyssey or The Godfather of westerns. Yes, that's how great Sergio Leone was. He made this masterpiece, and then he went and upped the ante again.
That bridge explosion WAS real! In fact the bridge had to be rebuilt because the first one was destroyed by explosion by accident. Those flying rocks were real and if you watch closely you'll see a rock almost hit Eastwood in the head.
Your taste in movies is very good Roly .You might want to check out High Plains Drifter starring Clint Eastwood.
Greatest western of all time 👍
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I agree. 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 has long been over. I understand it is 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: Clint Eastwood wore the same poncho through all three "Man With No Name" movies without replacement or cleaning.
Skeleton Key Fact: The skeleton found by Tuco (Eli Wallach) inside the wrong coffin at Sad Hill cemetery was a real human skeleton. A deceased Spanish actress wrote in her will she wanted to act even after her death.
Prequel Fact: This is a "prequel" to A Fistful Of Dollars (1964) and For A Few Dollars More (1967), 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.
Historical 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.
Love the reaction and appreciation of all the nuances, musical score and imagery! Very astute!
This trilogy is more accurately 3 different unrelated stories about the man with no name using many of the same actors in different roles.
So much simple but great dialogue with the repeated call backs between Tuco and Blondie.
And the unexpected character development moments like the church scene where Blonde see’s the fight between Tuco and Pablo then doesn’t let on that he know’s when Tuco tells his story praising Pablo. Tells us so much about both of them in a pretty organic manner.
Thanks for the reaction!
Appreciate your reaction to the music. I enjoy running to Ecstasy of Gold, such a great piece.
All three leads are great in this, but Tuco is one of my favorite film characters of all time.
That Mexican standoff at the end with that music score.......chills dude chiiiills!!
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST is Leone and Morricone's best. Story unfolds slowly but beautifully.
Agreed. A great cast, too.
Hi Roly. This film easily makes my top 10 Westerns of all time. The score by Ennio Morricone, alone, elevates it to the top. Perfect cast and perfect direction took care of the rest.
When I was around ten years old and saw this movie on broadcast tv for the first time, I came in on the drunken captain sequence; it's always been one of the stories that's stuck in my mind: the captain is such a tragic figure. And on re-watches, I've grown to believe that this entire episode feeds into making Eastwood's character more open to empathy (I believe the first steps we see are his reactions to Tuco's encounter with his brother).
I've watched the whole trilogy over and over at least once every couple years. I go back and forth which one I love the most. They are each brilliant in different ways. But Tuco may be my favorite side character. So good.
10:12, this and other scenes were left out of the international English release, to be restored in 2003, the voices redubbed by old Eastwood and Wallach, and other actors instead of Van Cleef and other dead or unavailable cast members.
My favorite western is Once Upon A Time In The West. But this entire series was great.
Best film of all time; best use of music score too. I saw this in theater at first release.
Greatest Westerns
1. The Good the Bad and the Ugly
2. High Noon
3. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
.
.
4. One Eyed Jacks
5. High Plains Drifter
6. Stagecoach
7. 3 :10 to Yuma
8. Shane
9. The Searchers
10. Once upon a time in the West
11. The Wild Bunch
12. Forty Guns
So many people debate between "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly" and "The Outlaw Josey Wales" as for which is the best Western Clint has done is still on going but for most, it is now for 2nd place as most on both sides agree that the top spot is "Unforgiven". So if you have not seen them, I and I dare say all other fans highly recommend you watch them. You will NOT be disappointed by either of them!
I also get chills from the music especially in the final duel scene (that's what it is as Tuco is in reality unarmed). Every time, and I've seen this dozens of times. To a quite different genre, I didn't notice you'd seen MIDSOMMAR, from 2019? I really like watching your reactions, and your analysis afterwards, so it would be fab to see what you could say after watching that VERY unique film. (One of my new favourites.)
Definitely a classic. Another classic Clint Eastwood movie that is hardly mentioned but deserves the same respect in my opinion as this one. The Outlaw Josey Wales. This is another epic western set at the end of the Civil War. Filled with unforgettable characters, action, romance, deception, betrayal and revenge. It's a fantastic western!
Astute observation. The bridge scene is indeed a reference more to world war one's trenches.
You asked about The Magnificent Seven. Just like Fistfull of Dollars, it’s a remake of a Kurosawa film. But unlike Yojimbo, Seven Samurai is often whispered in conversation of “Greatest Film of All Time.”
Once Upon A Time In The West - Henry Fonda & Charles Bronson. The Best Ever!
40:00
*"How did they even film that shot?"*
They built a bridge. And blew it up.
Actually, they built the same bridge twice, and blew it up twice (!).
See, spaghetti westerns were often filmed in Spain, because Spain has fantastic natural vistas that can stand in perfectly for the American South West. For this one, Franco's Spanish army turned out and supplied both extras and sappers. An entire bridge was built by the Spanish troops and explosions fitted to it. But as they were getting ready to film the explosion, a random language-barrier miscommunication between an Italian assistant producer and a Spanish sapper let the latter trigger the explosion prematurely without a single camera filming (yeah, I know). And a Spanish colonel felt so crappy about the whole thing that he had his troops rebuild the entire bridge and blow it up again, with cameras filming this time, and that's the explosion that's in the film. And those are actual debris from that bridge slamming down dangerously close to Eastwood and Wallach.
For my money, Tuco Ramirez is one of the greatest film characters of all time.
A unrepentant killer but has enough development that you understand completely why he does what he feels he must.
If anyone wants a better take of these three iconic characters, The Vile Eye has a video describing his take on them.
You need to try Once Upon a Time in the West. Sergio Leones other great Western. Fantastic music. Simply beautiful movie.
I also recommend Clint Eastwood's first western he directed, Highplains Drifter.
I saw these when I was a bit younger than you and though I did not fully understand them, I did revisit them from time to time, understanding more and more as time went on. Of course, this movie and the others, were old by the time I saw them, but there is a quality in them you can't find anywhere else, not even in Tarantino films, though he was much influenced by Sergio's movies, more so at the beginning than now, probably. It is also not actually a trilogy in the sense of continuation, but more in the sense that Clint Eastwood is in every one of them - plus, the marketing dep. thought it clever to package it like that, and it is.
On my channel you can find a detailed analysis of "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"!
Not just an umbrella. A parasol. :)
That bottle seen is famous. Studied in film schools.
This is where the famous poncho came from.
One of my frustrations is that this isn't the original US release of the film. For me, it speaks to your sense of the slow pace of the movie. The scene with the potatoes, Angel Eyes at the confederate hospital and the long scene with Tuco washing his feet were all part of the original european release. Those scenes were cut to shorten the movie enough that american theaters could run the movie once more per day.
Those scenes were restored but they had never been dubbed. Decades later, they had Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach redub those scenes so the voices are all off. The film itself was also restored and so, to me, they come across as different and harsh compared to the rest of the film.
It seems that any version available is the now lengthened version. Again, that means that for many older folks, this isn't the "original" version of the film from their perspectives.
I find the shorter, original version had better pacing.
Just to add to that: the extra 14 minutes were added in 2002 and I havent seen an original version since then. (I have the original on DVD). Also, Lee Van Cleef had died by then so they auditioned voice actors to find a voice close to his. That's why his voice actually sounds more natural because the other 2 had aged 35 since the original release.
Brilliant movie, love it, I still have the VHS as well as the DVD of all 3 movies.
Sergio Leone's other masterpiece Once Upon a Time In The West should be on your radar.
"OutLaw Josey Whales" is about as good as it gets for westerns!
I wayched this movie as a kid on Saturday afternoons. And now it become my filmmakers dream. It made my art
Now you should definitely watch Leone’s “Once Upon a Time in The West”
They rebuilt the cemetery in Spain. they were selling crosses up until a few years ago. you can put your name on one.
It should be mentioned that the version of the film you watched is the extended cut. The original North American cut is four scenes shorter, and that is the version that got a 4K release from Kino Lorber. I like the extended cut, but I have to say that I find the theatrical cut significantly better paced.
The Intrada Records 3 disc set of this score is, like, the best thing ever.
If you liked For a Few Dollars More and this movie, you MUST check out Once Upon a Time In the West!!!
It is the first Western he ever made where he actually got to do location work in the United States (although most of the movie was shot in Spain, just like the rest of them), and the prospect of seeing panoramic shots of Monument Valley set to one of Ennio Morricone’s most beautiful themes ever, with vocals by Edda Dell’Orso (who is the voice on “The Ecstasy of Gold”) should be enough to sell the film on its own, but there is so much more to it than that.
It’s a movie about the end of the era, and each character represents some aspect of either the world that is dying, or part of the world that is coming to replace it.
When Henry Fonda was approached to play the role he does in the film, he asked Eli Wallach (Tuco) if he should. Wallach apparently told him that he would have the time of his life, but cautioned him that safety wasn’t always the first priority on the shoots. Wallach was almost decapitated doing the train stunt.
And, after that, if you want a slightly lighter spin on the genre, check out the Leone-produced (and uncredited co-directed) My Name Is Nobody. It is a lot goofier, but it is still an interesting riff on a lot of similar themes to Once Upon a Time In the West. Morricone is on hand here (his score is pretty bananas, but it’s also kind of a hoot, and when it needs to get a little poignant, it’s absolutely gorgeous), as is Fonda.
By the way, Italian film productions of the era never recorded location sound. Most of the actors are just speaking their native language, usually Italian or Spanish, which is why some actors are obviously speaking English, even if their voices are recorded in post, while others look like their lips don’t match anything they’re saying.
The Outlaw Jose Wales is my favourite
So many great things about this movie, but Lee Van Cleef kills it as The Bad even with the least screen time of the three title characters.
I'm sure you eventually realized it, but Clint Eastwood's character is the only one that is the same in each movie. The rest of them, even though some are played by the same actors, are different.
You should watch Once Upon a Time in the West as well. You will love it!!!
Clint's 'trenchcoat' is a riding 'duster'. Kept dust away, ... sorta.
Worn on horseback and stagecoaches.
Even in the first cars, the 'horseless carriages' around 1900. Dirt roads.
You have to watch the Danish National Symphony Orchestra perform this song.. Lots of reactions to it made
Ennio Morricone was a God.❤❤❤
Have you noticed that in his western movies, most of the actors have blue or hazel eyes?
"Once Upon a Time in The West" is even better. And arguably "The Wild Bunch" is somewhere in between.
Love when you watch classics ! The Man who Shot Liberty Valence is a must watch if you like westerns !
The shell thing is a snuff box: it holds a kind of powder that you'd sniff and it would make you sneeze. I've read how it could also provide something of a high, and it was very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Great Reaction 👍👍👍. Definitely try The Magnificent Seven. Eli Walich (Tuco) was actually a bigger star at the time, which is why his part is so big. He's also in the Magnificent Seven.🙂
I love the good and the bad and the ugly it was the first cline Eastwood i watched i remember my friend was listening to this at school once
Leone wanted Eastwood and Wallach visable in the bridge explosion. Eastwood could see how close the dugout was to the bridge. I will be up there said Leone. Well , thats where we will be replied Clint. When you see the scene with the doubles a rock blasts into the sandbag next to them. Good call Clint.
Of course it's cool, but the BEST EVER is the "next" (Leone but out of the "trilogy"): Once Upon a Time in The West, a more serious tone, fantastic music, marvelous shots, and a perfect reveal...
Best MOVIE ever. Highly recommend.
I like “once upon a time in the west” a little better than “the good the bad and the ugly.” But I don't think the films compare well either. The plot of "once upon a time in the west" is somewhat realistic, it could have happened that way. The plot of "the good the bad and the ugly" is rather crazy, the film is actually a big metaphor, teaches lessons (which is why more humor could be incorporated into it):
1. Cruelty and idiocy of war (scenes from the American civil war)
2. Loss of reason due to greed, gold rush
3. the ugly: the fact that there is not only "good" and "bad" but also something in between that is neither good nor bad.
4. Good and ugly, who at times abuse the system together (scenes with gallows/bounty) and in the end the "good" literally sends the "ugly" into the desert
5. The stark contrast between Tuco and his brother (bandit vs. monk); Both "professions" are emergency solutions to survive in a rough time, so only the two extremes: either violence and egoism or altruism and pacifism.
6. The irony of the fact that "the ugly" is violently prosecuted by the law as a criminal, but "the bad" is a "well-behaved" part of society.
7. "the good" has no name. (The grave with the gold is also nameless)
8. In the final battle only "the good" and "the bad" are actually armed. “the ugly” has a gun but no ammunition in it.
9. Bill Carson's eye patch: you're blind in one eye if you're filthy rich.
Blonie never trusted Tuco, even as a partner. He said that, himself. At the end, Blondie just wanted to get away from Tuco without worrying about being shot in the back. So, he mad ehim put his head in the noose so he could get some distance before he let him go. Darn clever writing if you ask me.
There were very few large glass windows or panels in the old west. There were no glass factories. So glass would need to come across the prairies or on ship around the Horn.
Even today, gun stores have pads on the glass counter tops, to prevent breakage.
But putting the revolvers on glass creates tension in the scene.
If you drink, while being super dehydrated, your throat will tighten with that little bit of moisture. That’s why you have to rinse your mouth first and spit out quickly.
Sad Hill Cemetery at Santo Domingo de Silos in the province of Burgos, Spain, has been restored in 2015.
"the magnificent 7" is based on the samurai movie "Seven Samurai" from 1954. should watch!
Thank you, Oliver! 🏜 This is another one my late brother absolutely adored. It's also my favorite of the trilogy. #RolyPolyOllieReactions #SergioLeone #TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly
its great the young folk have found these films very cool and you are so good with your vew
Thank you so much! I finish up Leone's movies with Once Upon a Time in the West soon and that movie is stellar!!
You may at some stage want to check out How The West Was Won - it's a much earlier film and I think is the "most wide screen format film in history" - they filmed it with 3 cameras side by side to give an aspect ratio that is... crazy. It's very, VERY long and not as good as this movie, but it's a big part of western history.
This is the inspiration for the character Cad Bane
You have to watch Once Upon a Time in the West. Sergio’s masterpiece and perhaps the greatest western ever made.
Coming soon :)
This is a very arguable claim, but Sergio Leone’s “Once Upon A Time In The West” is even better.
Trivia: one of Tuco's first insults is "I hope you end up in a graveyard".
And he did! LOL
Very nice reaction and if you are interested in top tier western with iconic and epic scores, I highly recommend 'The magnificent seven' (1960, not the remake crap!) and even more 'Once upon a time in the west' (1968). 😊
13:30 I've been in Glorieta (NMex) & surrounding area a few times. Several different ways you could stage an ambush of one army to another. It is too pretty to be a bloody battleground, but that's where it happened.
I'm not big fan of western movies but The Good, the Bad and the Ugly have a sick soundtrack
I still think "Once Upon a Time in the West" is the best western movie ever.
A masterpiece. I do not say this lightly.
Also take a look at this great movie.
Once Upon A Time In The West
"This is such a huge scale!"
Ollie, it sounds like you've never seen a Cecil B. DeMille movie and/or any of the "blood & sandals" biblical movies. These are where the saying "a cast of thousands" comes from.
"Once Upon a Time in the West" is even better, you HAVE to watch it
The union captain (bridge scene) is almost a blend of Mel Gibson and Russell Crow.
Not for nothing Ennio Morricone is widely considered the greatest film composers of the 20th century.
Totally agree. Sorry John Williams you are only the second. 😉
Great job! your next Clint Eastwood westerns should be high plains drifter and the outlaw Josie Wales
Next level epic trilogy skill achieved! I watch the trilogy every few years and still get chills. Btw watch the performance of this soundtrack by the danish symphony orchestra, even better then the original.
Magnificent 7 highly recommended. And of course my fav Spaghetti western Django by Sergio Corbucci from 1966.
Once upon a time in the west by Leone even more epic and bigger budget.
Great enthusiasm.
I assume you plan to get around to Unforgiven, seeing as how it is a Western that won Eastwood Oscars (Back when people cared about those things still). I'd love to see you react to a few of Eastwood's lesser talked about westerns, Hang 'Em High and Pale Rider. As well as a few John Wayne Westerns like Red River or the Man Who Shot Liberty Valence.
Yes you gotta watch magnificent 7 (my #4 Western of all time) The guy who plays tuco is the bad guy. Also you got to do Unforgiven which is considered Clint's masterpiece and the greatest Western of all time. For me it's the 2nd greatest after Good, Bad & Ugly and of course I'm sure you're been told to do Sergio's last Western Once Upon a time in the west which many also consider as the greatest Western of all time. For me it's #3
love that you observed the dissonance in the 'music box' melody in the climax.