Some films can be watched time and again. Sergio Leone’s “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” is one that I never tire of and is, perhaps, the best of the trilogy of spaghetti westerns starring Clint Eastwood.
It is a masterpiece that brings together a great story, set against the backdrop of the U.S. Civil War; wonderful characterization by Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach; Leone’s hallmark style of direction with its great use of close-ups to build up tension; meticulous attention to detail; and one of the best scores in cinematic history by Ennio Morricone.
“Ecstasy of Gold” exemplifies Morricone’s prodigious talent.
The final three-way duel shows all the elements referred to above.
1 Comment
June 26, 2008 at 8:56 am
Well done, Calvin…you’ve worked out how to do the videos. I had every confidence you would.
You’re right about the music. Erricone does a masterly job. I watched both clips. The final one has to be one of the best moments in film, but only because of a combination of brilliant direction and superb music to match each scene. Some films are hits because of this combination. One of my all-time favourites is ‘Once Upon A Time In America’. It uses the same combination: Sergeo Leone – Enzio Morriconi, but uses another brilliant lead star…Robert de Niro. I have the soundtrack on CD and play it often. ‘Cockey’s Song’ is superb.
M.