Friday, January 15, 2010

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is undeniably movie history. Sergio Leone's western classic is so much more than a western. It's an epic tale from a time long gone, but never forgotten. There's been to many books written and movies made to ever fade as a romantic fantasy of a time were the most ruthless, the smartest and the quickest ruled.

Were other movies make sure they have enough gunfights to establish just how quick and deadly their lead-characters are, Leone uses more subtle ways of ensuring us these are no common men. Even if the movie is very long, we never doubt their abilities just because there's less shooting than in most movies half its length. I like the faith he has in his audience.

To mention this movie without mentioning the name Ennio Morricone should be a crime. The score of the movie is not to be underestimated as part of its greatness. Morricone haven't got his Oscar win. 5 times nominated for best original music and then the misfortune regarding the missing paperwork for another Leone movie, Once Upon a Time in America, were history feel he was robbed. He did get the honorary award in 2007 for his magnificent and multifaceted contribution to the art of film music.

I don't think I've seen the entire movie before, and unfortunately I feel can't rate it higher than I do after first viewing. There's some flaws to point at, but I'm not going to lie either. Next time around it might be lifted, because this is in my opinion no doubt a truly magnificent piece of movie history.

I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people think the movie is too long and filled with too little action, but that's their problem. Not the movie's. Expecting an action packed shooting party of a western, and you might be disappointed. Expect an epic story from the western era, and you're in for a real treat.

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