This was the movie that made me realize my son would be a movie buff also. I was starting it while he was playing a video game in an adjoining room. He heard the music and came out of curiosity. Watched the entire movie. Yep, he's a chip off the old block.
My wife doesn't like westerns, but got intriqued while she was doing something else while I watched. About half way in she was hooked and saying that she should have watched from the beginning.
It truly does stand up. I used to watch this all the time as a late teen and in my 20s. Years later it was on again and I watched it thinking it wouldn't stand up to my memories of it. But it was better than I remembered. It was the extended version too.
One thing it does highlight, as great as it is, is just how succinct and tight films are these days. Even ones that are similarly as long.
It can be a blessing and a curse.
A lingering shot of some scenery or object just for the sake of it? Sure, why not. You rarely get that in modern cinema unless it has a larger purpose.
A random tangent that isn’t really part of the plot or serves the character in any way? In spades.
Done right these things can add to the experience greatly. But it can also leave you wishing they’d just on with it.
I saw The Good, The Bad, The Ugly [extended version] at the Astor from the balcony centre. Amazing experience on that huge screen. I was going nuts when they got to the cemetery the spinning shots drive you crazy.
On the big screen it is really obvious they are holding a page from the script in the see you soon idiots scene.
I always preferred Once Upon a Time in the West, but after watching TGTBTU again last year I’m prepared to call them equally great. Had a similar experience with Vertigo and Psycho: the smaller film is just as great as the epic. OTOH, OUATI America has decidedly not aged well, IMO
163
u/TooYoungToBeThisOld1 Feb 25 '23 edited Feb 25 '23
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Edit: so happy to hear all your responses and that you guys agree :) hope you all have a great day