At the end of this blog entry, readers will find a youtube video link of Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox introducing director Sergio Leone’s 1966 iconic spaghetti western The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. At the same time, they can also read the transcript (read here). The episode’s original airdate was August 28, 1988 (read here). Though he considers it to be one of his favorite spaghetti westerns (read here), I think he may have changed his mind later because in an interview promoting his book about the subgenre (10,000 Ways to Die), he gives off the vibe that it has not aged well (read here). As for myself, I love the film, even though I rank it lower than it’s two predecessors – A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More. If any of you readers are interested in reading my list of my favorite Sergio Leone films, read here.
Here is a youtube video link of Alex Cox’s Moviedrome intro to The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
Here is a a youtube video link to the film’s US trailer
cinematiccoffee 
I like that he was sprucing up his boots for the introduction…
I am not a fan of the Spaghetti western genre. Unlike most people, I found the distinctive music irritating, and I hated the unnatural sound of the gunfire. Then there was the occasional use of foreign actors being badly dubbed, and the clumsy sets that looked like tourist cowboy towns. All in all, I thought the more famous films were just annoying, and I never bothered with the horde of imitators that followed.
Sorry, John. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
I’ve watched The Good the Bad and the Ugly many times over the years, mainly for Eli Wallach, who steals the show for me, as the scenery chewing Tuco. His shifty, double-crossing, foul-mouthed bandit manages to be the most likable and human of the cast despite his faults. Truly, one of my favourite film characters ever.
I love the film. I think it is gloriously stylistic and beautiful. I agree with Paul, that it’s Eli Wallach who steals the show, but the choice of favorite “goodbad” guy is highly personal. My daughter, for instance, prefers Lee Van Cleef. I love the technicolor, the music and the operatic themes.
There is always (or at least sometimes) something explicitly or subtly tongue-in-cheek about Alex Cox’s intros 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
That is quite an admission Pete 🙂 Nevertheless, have you tried watching any of Sergio Corbucci’s spaghetti westerns? I can’t guarantee that you will think any differently, but they are slightly edgier compared (notice I said compared) to Leone’s. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
I know what you mean Paul. In one or two ways, Tuco is kind of a tragic character when you take into account that he grew up poor and decided to become a bandit to support his parents while his brother left to become a priest. Even though his priest brother hated the decisions Tuco made – they have a heated conversation – you notice that there is still some family love between them considering that his priest brother asked for forgiveness from him even though Tuco had already walked away. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
As for myself, I love everything about this film despite ranking it lower than A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More. If you prefer the Clint Eastwood character (despite acknowledging that Eli Wallach steals the show) and your daughter prefers the Lee Van Cleef character, which character does your husband and other daughter prefer? 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
Yes, it is unusual for film fans to dislike such a popular genre.
I have seen Corbucci’s ‘Django’ (1966), and I didn’t enjoy that either. 🙂
Love this film. Excellent pick.
It’s incredible. EPIC. Had only pulled the vinyl soundtrack off the shelf at the weekend to listen to the duel music. Awe. This film was cemented in the greats to me by my Dad. Aged 14 we sat together and he past me a cold can of Newcastle Brown Ale and as he smoked away I cheekly asked him for a cigarette. He frowned, looked silently behind to see if my Mum was in bed and past me a fag. Yeah it was naughty lol but hey such a wonderful memory as we both sat there with Clint, Rod and Lee sipping beer in a cloud of smoke.
So do I John 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
That is pretty humorous 🙂 You and him must have had great times together 🙂 Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂
This is such a fun trilogy and yeah,I still the ending is one of the best showdowns in Western film. Eli and Lee both left their immortal stamps on the Western genre before and after “Good,Bad and the Ugly”. I believe this film marked a huge turn Van Cleef as he went from an ordinary and generic bad guy into becoming a anti-hero himself.
Great pick John and of course the score in a timeless classic.
This all said,I think “High Plains Drifter” is my favorite Eastwood Western.
My favorite Clint Eastwood western directed by someone else: For a Few Dollars More (1965)
My Favorite Clint Eastwood western directed by Eastwood: Unforgiven (1992).