Wednesday, September 19, 2007

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

(aka Buono, il brutto, il cattivo, Il) (1966)

Staring: Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Eli Wallach
Director: Sergio Leone

I'm hesitant to actually put any words down for this review, as I feel that there are almost no words to really describe how fantastic this film is. Looking at the spread here, it is hands down the best Western ever made. Ever. Sorry "High Noon", sorry "Rio Bravo", sorry "The Outlaw Josey Wales", sorry Tombstone, and sorry Unforgiven.

The film has three of the best characters portrayed on screen, and to be honest is hands above most other Western film characterizations, of which so many feel completely bland and unnatural in other films. The score is a masterpiece, and I'm grateful that Ennio Morricone finally got the recognition he deserved this past Oscar season.

The story is top notch. Not only is there a great deal of action, the story itself is an amazing journey. Set during the American Civil War, it follows the three title characters on a journey for riches they can barely believe in.

Photobucket

The end sequence is something that can only be experienced and not be explained.

*****/*****

1 comment:

Matt Ramone said...

The final stand-off went from tense to ridiculous to Family Guy-length to legendary. On Leone could pull that off.