Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo. (1966)

Director:

Sergio Leone

Writers:

Luciano Vincenzoni (story) &
Sergio Leone (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

29 December 1967 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Western

Tagline:

They formed an alliance of hate to steal a fortune in dead man's gold

Plot:

A bounty hunting scam joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery.

Plot Keywords:

Gold | Cemetery | Hitman | Bandit | Honor

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Eli Wallach	...	Tuco
Clint Eastwood	...	Blondie
Lee Van Cleef	...	Sentenza / Angel Eyes
Aldo Giuffrè	...	Alcoholic Union Captain
Luigi Pistilli	...	Father Pablo Ramirez
Rada Rassimov	...	Maria
Enzo Petito	...	Storekeeper
Claudio Scarchilli	...	Mexican peon
John Bartha	...	Sheriff (as John Bartho)
Livio Lorenzon	...	Baker
Antonio Casale	...	Jackson / Bill Carson
Sandro Scarchilli	...	Mexican peon
Benito Stefanelli	...	Member of Angel Eyes' Gang
Angelo Novi	...	Monk
Antonio Casas	...	Stevens
Aldo Sambrell	...	Member of Angel Eyes' Gang
Al Mulock	...	One-armed Bounty Hunter (as Al Mulloch)
Sergio Mendizábal	...	Blonde Bounty Hunter (as Sergio Mendizabal)
Antonio Molino Rojo	...	Capt. Harper (as Molino Rocho)
Lorenzo Robledo	...	Member of Angel Eyes' Gang
Mario Brega	...	Cpl. Wallace
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Chelo Alonso	...	Stevens' Wife (uncredited)
Román Ariznavarreta	...	Bounty Hunter (uncredited)
Frank Braña	...	Bounty Hunter #2 (uncredited)
Saturno Cerra	...	Bounty Hunter (uncredited)
Luigi Ciavarro	...	Member of Angel Eye's Gang (uncredited)
William Conroy	...	Confederate Soldier (uncredited)
Franco Doria	...	Deputy (uncredited)
Jesús Guzmán	...	Pardue the Hotel Owner (uncredited)
Víctor Israel	...	Sergeant at Confederate Fort (uncredited)
Rafael López Somoza	...	Confederate Sergeant who helps Tuco with directions (uncredited)
Nazzareno Natale	...	Mexican Bounty Hunter (uncredited)
Ricardo Palacios	...	Bartender in Socorro (uncredited)
Romano Puppo	...	Clem (uncredited)
Antonio Ruiz	...	Stevens' Youngest Son (uncredited)
Aysanoa Runachagua	...	Pistolero recruited by Tuco in the cave (uncredited)
Enrique Santiago	...	Mexican Bounty Hunter (uncredited)
José Terrón	...	Thomas 'Shorty' Larson (uncredited)

Directed by
Sergio Leone

Writing credits
Luciano Vincenzoni		(story) &
Sergio Leone		(story)
Agenore Incrocci		(screenplay) (as Age) &
Furio Scarpelli		(screenplay) (as Scarpelli) &
Luciano Vincenzoni		(screenplay) &
Sergio Leone		(screenplay)

Produced by
Alberto Grimaldi	....	producer

Original Music by
Ennio Morricone

Cinematography by
Tonino Delli Colli		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Eugenio Alabiso
Nino Baragli
Joe D'Augustine		(extended English-language version)

Costume Design by
Carlo Simi

Makeup Department
Rino Carboni	....	makeup artist
Rino Todero	....	hair stylist

Production Management
Fernando Cinquini	....	production manager
Aldo Pomilia	....	production supervisor
Gray Frederickson	....	production manager: USA (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Fabrizio Gianni	....	assistant director
Giancarlo Santi	....	assistant director

Art Department
Carlo Leva	....	assistant art director
Carlo Simi	....	sets
Tani	....	equipment

Sound Department
James Alfaro	....	second engineer (2003 extended English-language version)
Vittorio De Sisti	....	sound engineer
George Haddad	....	sound designer (2003 extended English-language version)
Kent Harrison Hayes	....	audio restoration and remastering services (2003 extended English-language version)
Bob Lacivita	....	re-recording sound mixer (2003 extended English-language version)
Preston Martin	....	second engineer (2003 extended English-language version)
Garry Morris	....	audio restoration and remastering services (2003 extended English-language version)
Elio Pacella	....	sound engineer
Alan Porzio	....	adr editing (2003 extended English-language version)
Alan Porzio	....	adr recordist (2003 extended English-language version)
Nathan Scruggs	....	second engineer (2003 extended English-language version)
Fausto Ancillai	....	sound mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Eros Bacciucchi	....	special effects
Giovanni Corridori	....	special effects (uncredited)

Stunts
John Landis	....	stunt performer
Fabio Testi	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Franco Di Giacomo	....	camera operator
Sergio Salvati	....	assistant camera

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Antonelli	....	costumes

Editorial Department
Neri Nazzareno	....	final colorist

Music Department
Giuseppe Mastroianni	....	music recordist
Bruno Nicolai	....	musical director

Other crew
Carlo Bartolini	....	production assistant
Serena Canevari	....	script girl
Luigi Corbo	....	production secretary
Jack DeLeon	....	adr talent (extended English-language version) (as Christopher Weeks)
Mickey Knox	....	dubbing director (english language version)
Eugenio Lardani	....	title designer (as Lardani)
Antonio Palombi	....	production secretary
André Sogliuzzo	....	adr talent (extended English-language version) (as Andre Sogliuzzo)
Federico Tofi	....	production assistant
Emilio Cigoli	....	voice dubbing: Lee Van Cleef (uncredited)
Nando Gazzolo	....	voice dubbing: Luigi Pistilli (uncredited)
Oreste Lionello	....	voice dubbing: Josef Egger (uncredited)
Pino Locchi	....	voice dubbing: Aldo Giuffrè (uncredited)
Glauco Onorato	....	voice dubbing: Al Mulock (uncredited)
Luigi Pavese	....	voice dubbing: Antonio Casas (uncredited)
Nino Pavese	....	voice dubbing: John Bartha (uncredited)
Bruno Persa	....	voice dubbing: Victor Israel (uncredited)
Mario Pisu	....	voice dubbing: Livio Lorenzon (uncredited)
Carlo Romano	....	voice dubbing: Eli Wallach (uncredited)
Enrico Maria Salerno	....	voice dubbing: Clint Eastwood (uncredited)
Rita Savagnone	....	voice dubbing: Rada Rassimov (uncredited)
Renato Turi	....	voice dubbing: Mario Brega (uncredited)

Thanks
Clint Eastwood	....	special thanks (2003 extended English-language version)
Alberto Grimaldi	....	special thanks (2003 extended English-language version)
Eli Wallach	....	special thanks (2003 extended English-language version)

Production Companies

• Arturo González Producciones Cinematográficas, S.A
• Constantin Film Produktion
• Produzioni Europee Associati (PEA)

Distributors

• United Artists (1967) (USA) (theatrical) (dubbed)
• United Artists (1968) (France) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1967) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• United Artists Films (1968) (Finland) (theatrical) (cut version)
• United Films Finland (1984) (Finland) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1974) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere) (pan/scan)
• Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Cinema Mondo (2003) (Finland) (theatrical) (restored version)
• Gloria Film A/S (2002) (Denmark) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (2003) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Park Circus (2008) (UK) (theatrical) (re-issue)
• United Artists (1968) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Japan (2000-2005) (Japan) (DVD)
• 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Japan (2007) (Japan) (DVD)
• FS Film Oy (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (Europe) (2000) (UK) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2000) (Germany) (VHS)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (France) (VHS)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (France) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (199?) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (????) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Mondo Home Entertainment (2007) (Italy) (DVD) (cut)
• Mondo Home Entertainment (2009) (Italy) (DVD) (uncut)
• Pioneer LDC (1993) (Japan) (video) (laserdisc)
• Sony Pictures Entertainment (2006) (Japan) (DVD)
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (2004) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (2009) (Sweden) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Warner Home Video (1999) (Germany) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (1999) (Japan) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (1994) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Vidéo (1996) (France) (VHS)

Other Companies

• American Movie Classics (AMC)  special thanks (as AMC) (2003 extended English-language version)
• Cantonri Moderni of Allessandroni  choir
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera cranes (uncredited)
• Cineteca Nazionale C.S.C  special thanks (as Cineteca Nazionale, Italy) (2003 extended English-language version)
• Dolby Laboratories  special thanks (2003 extended English-language version)
• Elios Film  interiors
• Eureka Edizioni Musicali  music publishing
• Film Foundation, The  special thanks (2003 extended English-language version)
• Hollywood Title  end titles by (2003 extended English-language version)
• Intersound  audio restoration and remastering services (2003 extended English-language version)
• Orchestra Cinefonica Italiana  orchestra
• Technicolor Rome  special thanks (2003 extended English-language version)
• The Studios of International Recording  score recording facility
• Western Costume Company  costumes

Also Known As:

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (UK) (USA)
El bo, el lleig i el dolent (Spain: Catalan title)
El bueno, el feo y el malo (Spain)
I due magnifici straccioni (Italy) (working title)
The Good, the Ugly, the Bad (USA) (literal English title)
The Magnificent Rogues (UK)
Zwei glorreiche Halunken (West Germany)

Runtime:

161 min | France:186 min (dubbed version) | Spain:182 min | 179 min (2005 DVD Special Edition) | Finland:142 min (1984) (cut version)

Country:

Italy | Spain | West Germany

Language:

Italian

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #21520) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (extended version) (2003) | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Italy:VM14 | Spain:13 | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1968) | Norway:16 (1982) | Australia:MA (re-rating) (2003) | South Korea:12 | Brazil:14 | Germany:16 (DVD release) | West Germany:16 (nf) (re-rating) | West Germany:18 (nf) (original rating) | Portugal:M/12 (DVD rating) | UK:15 (2008) | USA:TV-14 (cable rating) | France:-12 (DVD rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:R (original rating) | Canada:14+ (Quebec) (original rating) | Canada:G (Quebec) (re-rating) (2003) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Chile:18 | France:U (orginal rating) | France:U (re-rating) | Iceland:16 | Ireland:15 (re-rating) | Ireland:18 (original rating) | New Zealand:M (video rating) | New Zealand:R13 (Special Edition DVD) | Norway:15 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | UK:18 (video rating) (1986) | UK:X (original rating) (cut) | USA:M (re-rating) (1969) | USA:R (re-rating) (1989) | Netherlands:12 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Almería, Andalucía, Spain

Company:

Arturo González Producciones Cinematográficas, S.A

Trivia:

Ennio Morricone's iconic theme music was designed in places to mimic the sound of crying hyena.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Blondie is comforting the dying Rebel soldier near the end of the film, he gives him two puffs of his cheroot cigar - it changes length by almost an inch from shot to shot, first longer, then shorter, then longer again

Quotes:

[first lines]
Stevens: You're... from Baker... Tell Baker that I told him all that I know already. Tell him I want to live in peace, understand? That it's no use to go on tormenting me! I know nothing at all about that case of coins. Now that gold has disappeared, but if he'd listened, we could have avoided this altogether. I went to the Army court; there were no witnesses. They couldn't uncover any more. I can't tell Baker what happened to the money; go back and tell him that!

Movie Connections:

Edited into Instructions for a Light and Sound Machine (2005)

Westerns don't get any better than this.

This is the third,and arguably the best, of the so-called "spaghetti western" trilogy. It is ironic that, at the time the three Sergio Leone westerns were released, they were largely panned by critics as being poor and even laughable imitations of American-made westerns. The fact that they were filmed in Italy and Spain resulted in them receiving their amusing nickname which was intended to degrade them at the time.

Somehow, over the quarter century or so since their release, the critics have tended to change their opinions, and now these movies are generally regarded as classics. Perhaps this is because Clint Eastwood was principally known only as the second banana, Rowdy Yates, in the television series "Rawhide" when the films were produced but since then has achieved superstardom. But I also think it goes beyond that. I believe the critics decided to take another look at these films and realized that they had been premature in writing them off. Actually, I believe the three films were considerably better than most of what Hollywood produced. In fact, I think that TGTBATU ranks among the best westerns ever produced bringing to mind the magnificent films of John Ford, the undisputed master of that genre, and his protege, the incomparable John Wayne.

I have nothing but praise for this film. In fact, I rank it as one of my favorite films of all time. I could write volumes of what is good about this film. But since its qualities have been oft repeated in other viewer reviews, I will focus on what others didn't like about it. Most of the IMDb reviews had only one major complaint: the film is too long. I disagree. In fact, in spite of its nearly three hour length, I was disappointed that it ended. I was so absorbed in the film that I was disheartened to have to return to reality. The combination of story, cinematography, acting and musical score left nothing to be desired other than more of the same! The sequences that seemed to drag on in the opinion of other reviewers were necessary to fully create moods and to drive home important points. For example, the opening sequence might be regarded as needlessly long as Angel Eyes taunts a hapless man over a leisurely meal. But to me, scenes like that are what makes the movie great! The time allows the viewer to fully appreciate the amazing replication of the primitive home and the pitiful life of its dirt-poor inhabitants. I felt as though I was sitting there at the table; I was half tempted to reach for a bowl and spoon to partake of the meal. And all the while the suspense was building towards the inevitable climax. You know it's coming but not when and the length of the scene drives you crazy but makes it all the more satisfying when it does happen.

Another example is when Tuco punishes Joe by forcing him to walk through the desert. This is possibly the only time that one might become bored with the film. But again, I think the time for the scene was justified in that we are able to receive the full impact of that experience and enjoy the haunting music at the same time. Joe's subsequent predicament might not have had much credibility had this sequence been abbreviated.

In my opinion, one of the essential elements of a great film is creating moods that absorb our attention. This often takes time, lots of time. For example, many of the scenes in the magnificent film "Dr. Zhivago" were almost painfully long but they were necessary to create those startling surrealistic moods, and the film would not have been great without them. In many ways, TGTBATU has this same sort of greatness. It is a sweeping epic with very compelling characters and magnificent settings that draws the viewer in and doesn't release him until the closing credits begin to roll. When it's over, you feel that you've been on a long and exciting journey. Such a journey takes time.

In summary, if you haven't seen this film, buy it right away. Don't rent it because you will not want to part with it once you've seen it.

Then curl up with it on a cold, rainy Sunday afternoon when you are in no hurry to do anything.