The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  162 Minutes  (Extended: 179 Minutes)

Rated: R   

Genre: Western, Adventure, Drama

Director: Sergio Leone

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, Aldo Giuffre, Antonio Casas, Luigi Pistilli, Benito Stefanelli

IMDB Rank: 8.8/ 10

Part 1 Time:  70 Minutes (Extended: 82 Minutes)

Part 2 Time:  93 Minutes (Extended: 97 Minutes)

*** The double VHS tape format breaks at 94 minutes as Tuco (Eli Wallach) discloses the whereabouts of the $200,000 in gold. A better intermission point would be at the conclusion of the scene where Tuco takes Blondie to a nearby mission to recover.

Where does the first part end? Tuco takes Blondie (Clint Eastwood) to a Catholic mission to recover. Blondie reciprocates the offer of friendship. ‘The Ecstasy of Gold’ theme is played following the end of the scene.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “I’ll sleep better, knowing my good friend is by my side to protect me,” states Blonde before passing out.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “Tuco, water. Well, here’s water. But if I get that name from you, I’ll give you water.” Tuco talks to himself as he brings water for Blondie, a few days have now passed.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, Tuco has set aside his grudge against Blondie and has instead formed an unlikely alliance with him. Both have information that will provide the exact whereabouts of the $200,000 in gold. However unbeknown to them a mercenary named ‘Angel Eyes’ (Lee Van Cleef) also has his sights set on finding the gold.

Which part is better? With some added context, part two could stand alone as a feature film as the search for the $200,000 in gold begins. Here the protagonists and antagonists are in frequent conflict as they work together and against one another to find the grave that holds the $200,000 in gold. Part two is also memorable for one of the most famous western confrontation scenes, the Mexican standoff.

Academy Awards: None