THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY (1966, Leone)
Sergio Leono is every bit the master of suspense as Hitchcock. He’s one of my all-time favorite directors (possibly my very favorite dead director), because of his boldness, funk, imagination and the cinematic weight his work always displays. In today’s shot from what I think is his masterpiece, he draws out suspense in the form of a simple shot of long duration, and I’d even sit through more of it, I find it so compelling.
Leone always did more with less – less sound, less cutting, less dialogue – unless, of course, it was time for the shit to hit the fan and then he could cut as fast as the likes of a Guy Ritchie.
This scene, at the top of the picture, is part of the sequences that introduce each of the titular characters. In this, we are given “The Bad,” though we’re not sure of that yet. But any stranger on the horizon in the world of Leone is enough to cause unease and suspicion. So when the man on the horse appears, causing the kid on the donkey to run inside, we sense no good can come of this. And Leone of course knows this and takes full advantage.
David Lean via Sergio Leone
Like David Lean did with Omar Sharif‘s entrance in Lawrence, we get the full treatment here. Lee Van Cleef takes his sweet time as he approaches the house, and the audience feels the tension building with every hoof plop.
This is what I love about Leone – he knows what to milk, and just how to milk it, and does so with brazen boldness. Here is the sequence and the shot’s at :36. I mean, who holds a shot that long? No one anymore, sadly. Either because they’re not allowed, or because they don’t trust the audience’s attention span.
Brian Akers
Damn, now I have to go watch this again =) Thanks John!
jsbfilm
I know! That’s how I feel. I have to be careful watching any Leone clip or I’ll end up watching the whole thing for the 40th time. Thanks for the comment, Bri.
Carlos
I forgot just how good this movie was. This is gonna have to be a must see this weekend for me. Thanks for your post John!
Anonymous
This is simply one of the most amazing westerns ever made. Spaghetti westerns are a classic draw for me on a lazy sunday.
Anonymous
i think your labels are in the wrong place in the comment section john. It didn’t leave my name___ Anthony W
stanleyrumm
From the end of this clip until someone starts speaking (in part 2 of this youtube sequence uploaded by ‘lickmybigdick1’) is a little over 2 minutes.
In the extended cut, however it’s very nearly 3 minutes -and again it’s much more suspenseful for it. Not a lot added/ subracted, just some longer stares. When this is added to the ride-up section Van Cleef’s entrance takes nigh-on 7 minutes before anyone talks. Damn that’s an entrance!
I watched it recently (the extended cut) with my two kids (6 and 10). Yes it’s a little violent, but they were both engrossed from start to end. I believe it did them more good than harm. OK it kind of drags a teensy bit coming up to the bridge scene (with the dying captain), but neither kid was going to bed that night until they knew how it ended.
jsbfilm
Thanks, Stanley – great comment. I found myself looking at the DVD player time code read out at the beginning too, to figure out how long it was before someone talked, and how nonetheless gripping it was. That’s so great about your kids watching it – so happy to hear they were glued. Thanks for commenting!