Story in a few words
"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (1966) is a legendary spaghetti Western directed by Sergio Leone. The story follows three gunslingers—Blondie (Clint Eastwood), a cunning but honorable bounty hunter; Angel Eyes (Lee Van Cleef), a ruthless mercenary; and Tuco (Eli Wallach), a scrappy, double-crossing outlaw—who are all hunting for a hidden cache of Confederate gold buried in a cemetery. Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, their pursuit of the treasure is filled with shifting alliances, betrayals, and brutal encounters as they race to outwit each other.
"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" (1966) is a legendary spaghetti Western directed by Sergio Leone. The story follows three gunslingers—Blondie (Clint Eastwood), a cunning but honorable bounty hunter; Angel Eyes (Lee Van Cleef), a ruthless mercenary; and Tuco (Eli Wallach), a scrappy, double-crossing outlaw—who are all hunting for a hidden cache of Confederate gold buried in a cemetery. Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, their pursuit of the treasure is filled with shifting alliances, betrayals, and brutal encounters as they race to outwit each other.
As they traverse war-torn landscapes and evade Union and Confederate forces, the trio's uneasy partnerships and betrayals drive the tension to a climactic showdown at a cemetery, where an iconic three-way duel determines who will claim the gold. With its masterful direction, stunning cinematography, and Ennio Morricone’s unforgettable score, the film is a defining masterpiece of the Western genre.
In my own words
Thanks for reading todays episode of Yuri's Film Collection
16.03.2025
In my own words
"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" was the first Italian Western I ever watched, and honestly, it has now become my absolute favorite film. I don’t even know exactly why, but there’s something about it that’s just so energizing and breathtaking—the way the music and cinematography come together is simply perfect. Watching this movie, you can really see where so much of today’s filmmaking style and inspiration come from. As a huge Tarantino fan, I now fully understand where he got so many of his ideas. You can tell that Tarantino was massively inspired by Sergio Leone, the director of this masterpiece.
Right from the start, I was hooked. The first ten minutes have no dialogue, yet they are so incredibly well-executed. The silence, the framing, the intensity—it all just works perfectly. Especially the eye contact between the cowboys in those opening minutes—it’s such a creative touch from Leone, and you can see how much of an impact he had on modern filmmaking. The actors also did an amazing job, bringing so much depth to their characters without even needing words.
It’s hard to put into words just how great this movie is because it truly is a masterpiece. Everything about it is just so good. And as a Tarantino fan, it was funny to recognize so many of his trademarks and realize they came from Leone. That classic Tarantino-style camera zoom? Yep, it’s right here in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly! I remember seeing the first zoom and immediately thinking, "Ahh yes, I know that!"—it was such a cool moment.
I can’t recommend this film enough. It’s truly one of the finest pieces of film history ever made. Watching it has only made me more excited about filmmaking, and I really hope to create something even remotely close to this level of greatness one day. I’ve been learning about film since I was seven, and this movie has only deepened my passion for it.
Thanks for reading todays episode of Yuri's Film Collection
16.03.2025
Directed by: Sergio Leone
Screenplay: Luciano Vincenzoni, Sergio Leone, Agenore Incrocci
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef
All pictures are from IMDb