The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

R

Released Dec 29, 1967

2h 41m

Western

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Popcornmeter

97%

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77 Reviews

97%

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100,000+ Ratings

In the Southwest during the Civil War, a mysterious stranger, Joe (Clint Eastwood), and a Mexican outlaw, Tuco (Eli Wallach), form an uneasy partnership -- Joe turns in the bandit for the reward money, then rescues him just as he is being hanged. When Joe's shot at the noose goes awry during one escapade, a furious Tuco tries to have him murdered. The men re-team abruptly, however, to beat out a sadistic criminal and the Union army and find $20,000 that a soldier has buried in the desert.

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Critics Consensus

Arguably the greatest of the spaghetti westerns, this epic features a compelling story, memorable performances, breathtaking landscapes, and a haunting score.

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Ed Potton

Times (UK)

Ennio Morricone’s soundtrack is widely regarded as the best of his career, with the moody, two-note flute melody... an instantly recognisable refrain that is folksy and avant-garde at the same time.

Apr 22, 2024

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TIME Magazine

All three arrive at the cache at the same time. Who gets it? Director Leone doesn't seem to care very much, and after 161 minutes of mayhem, audiences aren't likely to either.

Aug 11, 2008

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

It still looks a treat and a bold and largely successful attempt to recast the traditions of the genre in a new, sometimes critical, almost operatic way.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 1, 2008

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…a revisionist Western, and a rare genre entry with loaded satirical intent that’s always hiding in plain sight…captures a master director in absolute full flow…

Rated: 5/5

Apr 28, 2024

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Zita Short

InSession Film

It makes a case for Sergio Leone as a true artist and it slowly reveals itself to have real emotional heft when you begin considering some of the ambitious themes that Leone tackles.

Feb 2, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

While it may not be the best Western ever made - heck, it's not even the best Western Leone ever made - it's clearly the work of a master filmmaker whose style has never grown stale.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 30, 2021

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Spencer Nielsen

I love John Ford, but Sergio Leone made the greatest western of all time. Every sequence is perfectly constructed, the iconic moments are pure cinema, and Tuco is one of the great big screen characters. Absolutely lives up to its own monumental image.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/09/24

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SweeTart

Classic. Excellent soundtrack.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/21/24

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Liam C

Enjoyable experience as to be expected from this well known hitter, however I feel the film shows it's age now not in effects or acting but more in story complexity. Having watched films of all ages I feel the plot of this film sits a bit awkwardly now between easy going watch and more complex story. Back upon release I have no doubts this was a fantastic film but for a modern watcher I feel it shows it's age more than others of the era.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

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Nick R

Fantastic in just about every way a movie can be. One of the best westerns of all time and a score so iconic people still reference and use it today.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/03/25

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Magnus J

Greatest. Movie. Ever. Everybody involved is amazing. Clint Eastwood is the coolest and manliest he has ever been. Lee Van Cleef is the greatest and most iconic villain in any western ever. And Eli Wallach simply steals the show and the entire movie. The final duel between the three men is the single greatest scene in cinematic history. Ennio Morricone's music in this movie is not just some of the greatest movie music of all time. It's some of the greatest music ever. Period. Sergio Leone is a master filmmaker and you really see his talent on full display in this movie. Every shot and scene in this movie is iconic. When you can instantly recognice a movie just from hearing a whistle, you know you're dealing with one of the greats. This movie will never die.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/01/25

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Audience Member

I get that for it's time it was a masterpiece but if you ask me , it could definitely be better. The story is slow burning and the dialogue is not great. But I have to tell you, this macho stoic acting is missing from heroes nowadays. If you want to see this classic go ahead, don't be surprised if it is less than you expect.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/01/24

Full Review

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Sergio Leone

Director

Clint Eastwood

Blondie

Eli Wallach

Tuco

Lee Van Cleef

Sentenza

Aldo Giuffré

Alcoholic Union Captain

Mario Brega

Cpl. Wallace

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Synopsis

In the Southwest during the Civil War, a mysterious stranger, Joe (Clint Eastwood), and a Mexican outlaw, Tuco (Eli Wallach), form an uneasy partnership -- Joe turns in the bandit for the reward money, then rescues him just as he is being hanged. When Joe's shot at the noose goes awry during one escapade, a furious Tuco tries to have him murdered. The men re-team abruptly, however, to beat out a sadistic criminal and the Union army and find $20,000 that a soldier has buried in the desert.

Director: Sergio Leone
Producer: Alberto Grimaldi
Screenwriter: Agenore Incrocci, Furio Scarpelli, Luciano Vincenzoni, Sergio Leone
Distributor: United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Produzioni Europee Associati, Constantin Film
Rating: R
Genre: Western
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 29, 1967, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 27, 2015
Runtime: 2h 41m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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