The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly v Once upon a time in the West

[MomurdA]

Both directed by sergio. seems to be a lot of fans of tgtbtu here, what you think about this other film with bronson and fonda?

[dean_martin]

Both directed by sergio. seems to be a lot of fans of tgtbtu here, what you think about this other film with bronson and fonda?

The opening scene of Once upon a Time in the West is one of my favorite movie segments of all time. For me, the tension really builds as the bad guys including Jack Elam wait for the train. Even though Elam is trying to relax, that damn fly keeps flying around until he finally catches it in his gun barrell.

Leone's "close ups" in both of these films are some of the best in the business and the music by Ennio Morricone in these and in other Leone films is excellent.

Interestingly, Leone was assisted with the screenplay for Once Upon a Time in the West by Italian slasher film guru Dario Argento. I think Argento may be responsible for the not-so-wholesome male-female relations in the story.

The Good the Bad and the Ugly is an excellent film. Eastwood is rock steady with intense restraint, Wallach is brilliant and Van Cleef is menacing. But as a whole, I'm kind of partial to Once upon a Time in the West because the story is deeper and the scope complimented by Leone's huge/wide camera shots is greater. I would love to see this one on the big screen.

Another Leone film that deserves DVD release is Fistful of Dynamite (Duck, You Sucker!) with a wild Rod Steiger as a peasant, James Coburn as an Irish motor-cycle riding explosives expert and even some tank-weilding Germans all thrown together during the Mexican Revolution. This film has some political overtones and some excellent dialog. I wish I could remember Steiger's definition of "revolution" ver batim - "The people who read the books tell the people who don't read the books..." Anyhow, it's a great monologue.

[MomurdA]

I would have to agree with you on the opening of once upon a time... Probably one of the best openings of any movie, ever. The creaking windmill, the fly, the water dripping on that dude's hat. The opening lines from bronson after one of the baddies tells him they are short a horse: "no, looks like there's two too many." CLASSIC. I also love how every character has their own music. Bronson has the creepy harmonica music, Cheyenne has the meandering almost comical tune, and Fonda has the evil tune.

Good Bad and Ugly is also great. The last gunfight with Eastwood, Wallach, and Van Cleef is classic, just because of the music and the intense closeups of the actors faces.
Why cant anybody make movies like this anymore.? I will definitely have to check out Fistful of Dynamite.

[Smokey]

Good Bad and Ugly is also great. The last gunfight with Eastwood, Wallach, and Van Cleef is classic, just because of the music and the intense closeups of the actors faces.

Oh man, love that scene. Note that in that scene, music dies down slowly, and then slowly picks back up with an exploding end. And the expression on Eastwood face as count down continue (kind of sad expression) is priceless.

Have to give slight edge to Good Bad Ugly over Once in a Time as more entertaining and "lively". OUTW seem to be too serious and rigid, while GBU is more fun to watch thanks to Wallach's excellent performance.

<img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/6304698798.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg">

[agtpunx40]

I actually think that the Good the Bad and the Ugly is one of the best movies of all time. The directing and music are almost unreal. The last scene is incredible, about as close to perfect overall as you can get. I also love the opening scene with angel eyes. It's really cool how you almost forget what a badass tuco is in the movie. Except when he's around clint eastwood or angel eyes, he really badass. As soon as he gets around them, he suddenly becomes almost weak by comparison. Once Upon a Time in the West is also great though. I agree with whoever else said that it's a little less "fun." I'd put it this way. I'm readpy to watch TGTBATU pretty much any time. I sort of have to be in the right mood to watch OUTW

[Smokey]

I actually think that the Good the Bad and the Ugly is one of the best movies of all time. The directing and music are almost unreal.

Recently, AMC showed an exclusive extended version of GBU. After seeing the extra scenes, I know why they were left on the floor :D

[dean_martin]

OK, I agree that GBU is more fun to watch and is better suited for multiple viewings, but this movie poster is better than that dvd box cover!