Morality in the Dust: Deconstructing 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'"

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, 1966

Directed By: Sergio Leone

Link to Trailer


The plot of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly begins during the civil war in the setting of the old west. The main characters that are introduced to us are Blondie (aka the good), Angel Eyes (aka the bad) and Tuco (aka the ugly). The main goal of the story is to find a treasure of gold coins. Blondie and Tuco each have a piece of the map and in turn have to work together to reveal the location of the treasure that each of them desire. Meanwhile, the 3rd main character Angel Eyes is searching for the treasure on his own and will stop at no cost to retrieve it.

The main Plot Device of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly would be  the main characters' search for the gold treasure. The treasure drives the plot as it is what carries the plot and moves the story along by being the main character's main pursuit.

The introduction of the film introduces the main characters to us (Blondie, Tuco, and Angel Eyes) and what their goal is going to be throughout the film. In other words, setting the stage.

Furthermore, Blondie and Tuco partner up with the intention of finding the rumored gold that they seek. Then it is established that Angel Eyes is separately working independently against them with the same purpose of finding the treasure. 

The film concludes with the discovery of the treasure in an old graveyard and an intense standoff between Blondie, Tuco, and Angel Eyes. The men stand in a triangle form and Blondie kills Angel Eyes first and then it is discovered that Blondie unloaded his gun the night before leaving the audience in awe.

Tuco undergoes the most changes that I’ve noticed in the film. He begins the film as just a wanted criminal but as the story progresses and his relationship with Blondie, a deeper side of his personality is revealed. Towards the end of the movie, more of his vulnerable side is shown and so is the growth that he has made. 




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