The Good, The Bad and the Ugly (4KUHD)

I’ve heard these Kino Lorber releases of the “Dollars Trilogy” criticized, or at least to be reported as not the best releases of the film. (Another boutique Blu Ray company also released them, Arrow maybe). But I have to say, they look and sound phenomenal. On a 4K tv with surround sound system (even basic and low end like I own), they’re awesome. The visual quality is great, sharp and contrasty, but no waxy skin AI upscaling. Natural grain from the film. The colors are pristine, and allegedly there’s more of a warm tone to the overall picture compared to the “better release”? But it’s a dusty western (and one of the greatest westerns of all time, if not the greatest). It works. I have zero complaints and am happy I picked up this, as well as Fistful of Dollars. Just need to find For A Few Dollars More to complete the collection. Highly recommend!

This standard definition, two-disc collectors set of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is likely to be valued by anyone familiar with the film and who recognizes it for the unique role it has played in filmmaking. Though not a high-def offering (you'll have to find that at The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) ), this remastered video which includes a substantial amount of original content not seen in the US edition, is a wonderful package. The video quality has been improved through remastering techniques, the surround-sound audio has been included, and the package contains a number of little "gift" items that, although are not necessarily expensive, are quite enjoyable in their own right. For example, the package includes a small set of four original posters for the movie in Italy, Japan, Spain, and the US printed in high quality gloss embossing on card stock. These are physically small, but are so lovingly printed that they are delightful. In addition, a small booklet with items of note from the movie is included, also on high-quality print and paper. Then, in addition to the movie itself (which is on one DVD) a second DVD containing an entire series of extras and bonuses finishes off the set. For the price, its a "tidy little sum" (to quote Angel Eyes), and should more than please any fan of the movie. It's a nice little collectors item package. It is not necessary, and is probably too difficult a task, to here write a long passage about the move itself. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is one of those films that was transcendental, that made its mark so strongly that, for many fans of the genre, divides what "came before" with what "came afterward." Its one of those movies that even those with little interest in Westerns could recognize as substantially different and a substantial contribution to moviemaking. Was it the filming techniques, with ultra-wide angle vistas interposed with tight shots of actors eyes? Or was it the script that asked fundamental questions about life while masquerading as a "Western"? Or was it perhaps the acting, with a magnificent performance of Tuco and also of Blondie, both of which from that point mark both actor's careers? Or was it the haunting and unmistakable music by Sergio Leone that is instantly recognized the world over, even by those who have never seen the movie? Or a combination of all these? I'm not sure, but I, like many others, upon first seeing this movie was instantly and acutely aware that this was something different, something moving and powerful, something with a message, something that bore (and still bears) repeated viewings, something that played around with deep issues and questions in life, and did so in a truly artistic way. Yes, it is hilarious--picture the opening scene where Tuco comes breaking through the windows with the giant turkey bone in his hand and turkey hanging out of his mouth--and yes, we can choose to watch the movie with any number of mindsets. But there are few movies--and this is one of them--where the viewer can be lifted out of the seat into a world of the storyteller so strongly that one truly forgets that it is a movie being watched. It happens more than once in this movie (in the graveyard scene, in the civil war bridge attack scene, and in the stagecoach scene, for example), but few movies ever can reach this level of narrational power. Its irrelevant that it is a Western. These are just the accouterments that allow the story to progress. Its about greed and wealth, law and order, haves and have nots, war and peace. And more than that. Someone once said to me, "Why is it called 'The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly'? There's not really anyone good, bad, or even (really) ugly in the movie!" But you see, that's one of the keys here. If you are looking for "good," "bad," or "ugly" in the story, you've started on the wrong foot. So, maybe, its one of the most deceptive titles in moviemaking. And maybe that's part of the clue to the story itself. Five stars for this wonderful little gift package of one of my favorite movies.

On the heels of a "Fistful of Dollars" and "A Few Dollars More", this film is the greatest of the Italian trilogy as Wallach and Van Cleef add perfect balance to Eastwood in this western thriller set in the Civil War, in the midst of Confederate General Sibley's failed attempt to wrest New Mexico from the Union. What is superior in this film, compared to the two earlier films with Van Cleef and Eastwood, is the addition of the excellent actor Wallach who plays the unprincipled, unflinching, killer Tucco who adds a constant, light and subtle comical touch to the film that invokes timely humor, literally tongue in cheek, into the many tense action scenes. Eastwood, as Blondie, is still the man with no name, speaking only a few words but speaking poignantly, as the dominant, cool good guy with Van Cleef as the methodical, steely eyed nemesis, a perfect foil for Eastwood. Wallach (Tucco) serves as a bridge between the two characters, making allegiances with who ever serves him the best. In other words, none can completely trust the other. This full version has several previously uncut scenes that add several minutes to the movie, some of which are helpful and a few may seem a little long such as the dessert scene where Tucco seeks revenge over Blondie. However, the film never loses its original punch and the sound track is unforgettable and it is used delightfully to kick up an action scene. Long after the movie is over, the music will continuously echo into your brain as the music never seems dated and the mere sound of the music heard anywhere brings you back to the film. Sergio Leone, who directed and wrote the script, pulls together one of the largest casts and production sets as he utilizes sets featuring whole towns and large scale battlefields. Some of the scenes of the Civil War are confusing such as the mix of what appears to be butternut uniformed Confederates mixed with the Union army at a bridge head. They may be "galvanized Yankees", confederates that traded sides after capture or they could be western volunteers. Leone pulls out the stops to create realistic battlefields, uniforms and gear although the battlefield bridge scene looks a bit over the top as each side fights enmasse over a bridge, remindingme of a flamboyant portrait of masses of infantry colliding on a span. In this large scene, he displays virtually every kind of cannon fro rifled Napoleons, smooth bores, large mortars and siege guns. The latter two less likely then the two former for the west due to limited transportation in the west particularly the siege guns. The additional 20 minutes history lesson on the additional disc gives a good over view of what was happening in this western Civil War campaign that the three characters stumble into. The film, with wide screen, is exciting, frequently funny, never too serious and unforgettable. A tremendous side story is the tremendous loss of life experienced during the Civil War displayed by large casualties, overwhelmed hospitals, prison camps, disabled veterans and, in the pivotal scene, a cemetery so large it seems without end. Although the characters are all hardened and can readily shoot a man, Leone shows, through the back drop of America's most costly war in human loss, the sheer violence and loss of life that reminds us that war is far less romantic. The writing is first rate, there are numerous memorable lines spoken by the main characters such as: "You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig."

A really beautiful transfer. Has a reversible cover which the store page shows both of

La cumbre de un género a veces denostado como fue el spaghetti western, pero que Sergio Leone supo elevar a la categoría de obra maestra con películas como "El bueno, el feo y el malo". Magnífica película con una banda sonora magistral que por sí sola representa a todo el género. La escena final del cementerio de Sad Hill, rodada entre de las localidades burgalesas de Salas de los Infantes, Contreras y Santo Domingo de Silos, es simplemente mítica. Recomendable para todos los amantes del género y del buen cine.

An diesen Film, der im Original ja "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" heißt, was nebenbei bemerkt wieder total komisch übersetzt wurde, bin ich über Metallica geraten, da diese die Filmmusik der fantastischen Friedhof-Szene als Intro für ihre Konzerte benutzen. Irgendwann mal habe ich dann nachgeschaut, woher diese Musik stammt und siehe da, es ist aus einem Film mit Clint Eastwood. Dass es einer der vlt. besten Western aller Zeiten ist, wusste ich da noch nicht. Was zeichnet diesen Film denn überhaupt aus?! - Zunächst mal sind es drei sehr gegensätzliche Charaktere. Großartig spoilern möchte ich auf gar keinen Fall, wenn gleich die klassischen Italo-Western immer recht ähnlich sind. Trotzdem schafft es der Film/Schauspieler etc., dass man weder den Bösewicht, den Westernheld, noch den Trottel so richtig hasst oder mag. Ist einfach echt gelungen das Dreigestirn. Das ist eine Stärke des Films. - Das Beste an dem Film ist mMn aber definitiv die Musik. Dieser Film wird von einer Musik untermalt, die ich so in fast keinem Film bisher gehört habe. Dass das Main-Theme als Klassiker gilt, ist nicht verwunderlich. Geschrieben wurde es von keinem Geringeren als Ennio Morricone, der jüngst ja erst den Oscar für Hateful Eight bekommen hat. Das ist schon lächerlich, wenn man andere Werke von ihm kennt. Dieser Mann ist für den Film gleichbedeutend, wie Clint Eastwood, und das meine ich so, ohne übertreiben zu wollen. Die Untermalung passt perfekt, jedes Thema für die Charaktere ist einfach wundervoll. Man kann den Film im Musikunterricht als perfekte Filmmusik thematisieren. Auch hier ist die Friedhof-Szene einfach das Maß aller Dinge im Western, ich kenne keine stärere Schluss-Sequenz, als diese hier, natürlich untermalt mit "The Ecstasy of Gold". Meiner Ansicht nach sogar noch stärker, als das Main-Theme dieses Films, was mittlerweile weltberühmt ist. Letztlich muss man ihn gessehen haben, um all die Faszination nachvollziehen zu könne. Wichtig ist aber auch, dass man die Musik auch richtig wahrnimmt, da der Film an sich zwar immer noch sehr gut ist, aber erst durch Morricone's Werk perfektioniert wird. Wer zudem nicht so auf Filmmusik steht, wird es spätestens nach dem Film tun. Bei mir hat sich durch diesen Film eine Sensibilität bei der Filmmusik eingestellt, sodass ich mittlerweile umso mehr darauf achte, welche Charaktere welche Themes haben etc. Definitiv einer meiner Lieblingsfilme. 5 Sterne!

I just received the item today, and I only have had time to watch the 181 minute "all in" 4K cut of the movie and I couldn't be happier about it. This is the definitive release of this great movie. Amazon finally shipped my copy more than a week and a half after the release date, having pre-ordered it in June, and apparently, this has fast become a highly sought out hard to find product. I look forward to watching all the extras and the Sad Hill Unearthed documentary. the 3 Arrow 4K releases of the Dollars trilogy is easy one of the best sets in my vast collection. Sound and image are top notch and extras are plentiful. Well worth the money.

Media and contains quality is excellent.