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)
El bueno, el malo y el feo (Argentina) (Mexico) (Venezuela) [es]
Le bon, la brute et le truand (Belgium: French title) (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
A jó, a rossz és a csúf (Hungary) [hu]
Bunul, raul si urâtul (Romania) [ro]
De goede, de harde, de vagebond (Belgium: Flemish title) [un]
Den gode, den onde och den fule (Finland: Swedish title) [sv]
Den gode, den onde og den grusomme (Norway) [no]
Den gode, den onde og den grusomme (Denmark) [da]
Den gode, den onde, den fule (Sweden) [sv]
Den gode, den vonde og den hjartelause (Norway) (TV title) [no]
Dobar, los, zao (Yugoslavia: Serbian title) [sr]
Dobry, zly i brzydki (Poland) [pl]
Goda, onda och fula (Finland: Swedish title) [sv]
Hodny, zly a osklivy (Czechoslovakia: Czech title) [cs]
Hyvät pahat rumat (Finland) [fi]
Hyvät, pahat ja rumat (Finland) [fi]
Iyi, kötü ve çirkin (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
O Bom, O Mal e O Feio (Brazil) [pt]
O Bom, o Mau e o Vilão (Portugal) [pt]
O kalos, o kakos kai o ashimos (Greece) [el]
Três Homens em Conflito (Brazil) [pt]
Zoku yuuhi no ganman (Japan) [ja]
Zwei glorreiche Halunken (Austria) [de]

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:

Director Trademark: [Sergio Leone] [close-up]

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the US trailer (distributed on the DVD version of the film) the characters are misidentified. The character of Tuco is introduced as "The Bad", though in the movie he is introduced as "The Ugly." Likewise, the character of Angel Eyes is introduced as "The Ugly" (instead of "The Bad" as in the movie).

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:

Referenced in The Showdown (2006)

The King of Cool

On a partial first viewing, I didn't like "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." I thought it was a slow, tedious story about a bunch of unpleasant jerk characters involved in a bog-standard conflict over money. It all seemed very macho and self-consciously cool, and it had obviously inspired all the overrated macho directors I don't like in my own generation - Tarantino, for example, and Robert Rodriguez. In short, I was unimpressed.

Years later, I gave the film a second shot, watching it all the way through this time. I loved it. What had changed?

For one thing, I took more notice of the technical side of the film. I paid attention to Leone's famous use of close-ups, his selection of memorable character actors, and his wonderful scene-setting. I admired the detailed sets and the sweeping landscapes, the props and the costumes and all those weird, wonderful faces that Leone clearly loved to photograph.

I also got hooked by some of the quieter moments that I had skipped over in my first viewing. One of the most effective scenes involves Eli Wallach's character, Tuco, quarreling with his brother when they meet after they've been apart for years. Their argument is great, emotionally charged stuff, made all the more effective by the suggestion that they really do love and care about each other. It's the kind of sensitive, human scene you never get to see in a Tarantino or Rodriguez movie.

Before I get too fuzzy-wuzzy, I should also like to point out that, on my second viewing, I LOVED all the action, too. Every gunfight is great, in its own way, and they're all a bit different. The greatest of them all is, of course, the final confrontation between the trio, which is accompanied by some of the most rousing music I've ever heard in a film. And hey, there's even a huge Civil War battle to provide a change of pace from all the small-scale action.

Ultimately, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is probably just a potboiler of a film, without too much to say about, for example, the human condition. But what a potboiler! It doesn't have to try to be cool - it simply IS cool. In fact, it probably defined heroic coolness for an entire generation. Eli Wallach's performance, Leone's direction and Morricone's music alone are enough to elevate it to classic status - and the fact that everything else in the movie is great, too, helps elevate it to the level of perhaps the greatest action film ever made.

And to think, I missed all that the first time through...