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The Good, The Bad and The Ugly - 2 Disc Special EditionThis two-disc Special Edition presents the restored, extended English-language version of Leone's The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, now clocking in at almost three hours (actually 171 minutes on this Region 2 DVD as a result of the faster frames-per-second ratio of the PAL format). It includes some 14 minutes of previously cut scenes, with both Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach returning to the editing suite in 2003 to add their voices to scenes that had never before been dubbed into English (Wallach's voice is noticeably that of a much older man in these additional sequences). The extra material contains nothing of vital importance, but it's good to have the movie returned to pretty much the way Leone originally wanted it. The anamorphic widescreen picture is now also accompanied by a handsome Dolby 5.1 soundtrack, making this the most complete and satisfactory version so far released.
Film historian Richard Schickel provides an authoritative and engaging commentary on Disc 1. On the second disc there are featurettes on Leone's West (20 mins), The Leone Style (24 mins), Reconstructing The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (11 mins) and a documentary about the historical background of the Sibley campaign, The Man Who Lost the Civil War (15 mins). In addition, there's a two-part appreciation of composer Ennio Morricone, Il Maestro, by film-music expert John Burlinghame. Tuco's extended torture scene can be found here, along with a reconstruction of the fragmentary "Socorro Sequence". In short, exemplary bonus features that will satisfy every Leone aficionado. --Mark Walker ... Read More » |
Average User Rating: 80% (69 Reviews) | |
| 5 / 5 | There are those with guns, and those who dig. You dig.
"toryn_westcott" - 16 March 2004 The special edition DVD is finally here. It has been eagerly awaited, for never has such a fine picture graced a digital versatile disc. This film has everything that defines a classic. Frankly it remains under-rated even though it is highly respected. Eastwood is entirely enjoyable to watch, and never is there a dull moment. The slower scenes perfectly build the tension, and the resolutions are always pleasing - not in a manic explosion of a climax, with explosions, bullets and Hollywood-director-boat only scrapes a rock and then explodes - scenes, but with the expert craftsmanship of Sergio Leone, and he makes you wait and then beg for what's coming. And by God, you won't be able to keep yourself from smiling. This film brings out all the things you want to see in a western. The music does nothing but compiment the action, the photography is graceful yet enjoyably stylish, the dialogue is well written, with a few one liners that have outshined the others for years, and wow, the film is just great. I do not believe i have ever sat through a film with a better ending scene. THE climax of cinema. BRILLIANT! |
| 5 / 5 | A genre-defining masterpiece
Dave (Edinburgh) - 11 December 2000 This masterpiece is the film which defines the Spaghetti Western. Clint Eastwood is good guy Blondie and the other two main characters, Tuco (Eli Wallach) and Angel Eyes (Lee Van Cleef) veer between bad and ugly over the two and half hour duration of this film. The plot is long and winding, but is essentially fairly simple - three guys who don't trust each other trying to get their hands on a consigment of gold. We all know about the music - and Morricone's soundtrack is an undisputed masterpiece. If there is a better marriage of sound and vision in cinema than the last 15 minutes of this film, I have yet to see it. But it's more than just a music video - the direction from the legendary Sergio Leone is out of this world. This is an epic in every sense of the word - the battle against good and bad, a cast of hundreds in the Civil War scenes and camera work which makes no concessions to TV and uses the entire length of the screen. The DVD is good, too. The picture and sound quality are out of this world. The 15 minutes of deleted scenes add nothing, but are a nice curio. You also get the original theatrical trailer. So this isn't a DVD to buy for fancy bells and whistles, but it delivers in spades on the top-quality basics - ie perfect sound and vision. A masterpiece.... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | "Such ingratitude after all the times I saved your life..."
Michael Crane - 17 July 2004 "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is Sergio Leone's epic masterpiece. While it is part of his Spaghetti Western Trilogy( all three films have different characters and plots), the film stands on its own and really shows you how good a movie can really be. This movie has it all. It has action, drama and even some comic relief in it. It is a timeless classic that is unforgettable. When I first saw it, I was a little kid and couldn't truly appreciate it as I can now at age 22. Blondie (The Man with No Name) isn't your typical good guy. He mainly does things that suits his own agenda. However, when compared to the murderous Angel Eyes and the greedy Tuco, Blondie is a saint. This tale involves bloodshed, shoot-outs, search for treasure, and double-crossing. And it all takes place while the Civil War is going on, which makes things a lot more "interesting" for the notorious three. The West has never been wilder or more unpredictable than it is now. With an incredible score, excellent acting, and superb story-telling, this is one memorable film that you will never forget. As I said in the beginning, the first time I saw this was when I was a little kid. When I just recently purchased this new edition of the movie, it truly was like I was watching it for the first time. Coming from a guy who isn't a big fan of Westerns (I don't mind them, but I don't watch too many of them), I absolutely LOVED this film. In fact, I wanted to give it a standing ovation when it was all said and done due to how moved I was by it. This really is filmmaking at its finest. I wasn't terribly impressed with Leone's "Once Upon a Time in America," but he is absolutely flawless with this amazing and timeless Western. It is slower than the second film ("For a Few Dollars More"), but I think that makes this all the better. The build up of tension is much more present in this film, and you really get the sense that these characters are real people. Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach are brilliant in their roles, and a lot of props need to go to Lee Van Cleef as he is absolutely chilling in his role. This new edition really does the film the justice it deserves. The film has been restored to the director's original vision as much as possible, giving you an extra 18 minutes. You will notice the added scenes as the voices have been re-dubbed (the first time you will notice this will throw you, as I think that specific part has the worst re-dubbing, but the other added scenes are done a lot better, even if you still notice it). The picture looks incredible and the sound is great. Extras included are commentary from Richard Schickel, a couple of documentaries and featurettes, poster gallery, deleted scenes and the original theatrical trailer. Along with the nice packaging, you get an 8-page booklet that includes pictures from the film along with Roger Ebert's most recent review of the film. And, you get some mini-posters included inside the packaging as well. A superior edition of the movie, without question. "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is a pure triumph in filmmaking and should be seen by everybody at least once. Don't let the fact that this is a Western throw you. I think this can be enjoyed by everybody, and even by those who are not big fans of Westerns. A film filled with authentic emotion and action, this is one that shouldn't be missed by anyone. I LOVE this movie, and I cannot express that enough. -Michael Crane ... Read Full Review » |
| 1 / 5 | My favourite film has been ruined
owen morris (United Kingdom) - 19 July 2004 In the name of making even more money off us poor, dumb suckers who slavishly buy every new edition of our favourite films, my personal number one film of all time has been desicrated by the needless addition/restoration/fucking around with by some useless Hollywood dimwit. Don't buy this version. The scenes that Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach have overdubbed new dialogue are embarrasing in the extreme. They were useless scenes anyway, and now only confirm Clint's obvious mental deterioration.....he certainly doesn't need the money. The so-called "improved soundtrack"....is a disaster. The original soundtrack was a work of art.....perfect....infact stunning for it's time. Now, dialogue, sound effects....and worst of all, the music, have an unreal, unfocused, stupid quality that defies belief. If it ain't broke don't fix it! Rubbish. Buy the version released a couple of years ago. It is the correct version. This new one is crap. |
| 3 / 5 | should have left it alone
kezzez "kezzez" (london) - 24 April 2004 DON'T FIX WHAT ISN'T BROKEN! From the start let me say I love this filmbut sadly the new scenes are quite frankly laughable. The overdubbing oftheir own parts from the remaining living actors do not work. There is no other way to put it. Do not get me wrong this film has to bemy all time favourite but the additional scenes turn it now into acomplete joke. Clint Eastwood overdubbing his own deleted Italian release scenes soundsnothing like himself from 1966, Eli Wallach (The Ugly) is a croaky old manand struggles to have the same mischevious chuckle to his voice from theoriginal film. This is not a big let down, however the suprising bonusand a factor which works extremely well is Lee Van Cleef's newly restoredparts, which do work and his voice is ALMOST spot on. This is suprisingbecause he died in 1989, 13 years before he was required to voice over hisItalian dubbed scenes. The actor who did his part was pretty much spot onmore so then Clint's or Eli's. I am not blaming Clint or Eli but the truthis and the studio should have realised this that a sound a like actorwould have been much much better. There voices after nearly 40 years havechanged to much. What we end up with on the extra scenes is basicallyClint Eastwood doing a naff Clint Eastwood impression. I so wanted thiselement to work but I am afraid it does not. To cap it all the extrascenes do not 'blend' in with the rest of the film.It switches from monoto stereo so noticably. Unfortunately it gets worse. The studio that remastered the film decided to upgrade the soundtrack.This led to certain limitations, i.e the original sound effects (gunshots)were mixed on the same track as the music. Obviously they have to keep themusic so they had to re-do the sound effects. Big Big mistake, what we endup with now is a tinny "blat" for ALL the gun shots in the film. In myopinion ruining the impact of certain key scenes. There is an interesting additional scene involving Tuco's meeting with thethree bandits who sneak up to Blondies room but on reflection you can seewhy the director Sergio Leone had it cut to the editing room floor. Thecommentary is painfull, it is by a film critic who spends ages getting tothe point about a certain scene which has by then been and gone and hespends most of his time saying "ermmm" or/and "errrrr" What he doeseventually come up with is fairly interesting but takes such afrustratingly long time about it. The extras basically skip over the film and it's content pretty quickly,having said that I was amazed at how unrecognizable Eli Wallach is now inthe interviews, which was kind of sad. All in all I think the film should have been left alone, I am so glad Ikept my original copy on DVD but I do feel in some way that it is a bonusto have the special edition just to throw new light on one of the bestfilms ever made. Incidentally if you ever wondered where the composer (Ennio Morricone) gotthe idea for the main sound effect in the theme tune. In other words the'Ahheeahheeahhh'. What is the first noise you hear in the film after themain opening credits? Thats right a coyote. Little snippits of information like that make this DVD fairlyworthwhile. As a bonus I hate DVD's with hidden extras or 'Easter Eggs' as they liketo call them. With this one they are not hard to find and when you do findthem they are certainly not worth bothering with.... Read Full Review » |
RRP
£19.99
Release Date
26 April 2004
Price Range
£4.99 - £19.99