Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo
"For three men the Civil War wasn't hell. It was practice."
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig.
— Blondie
Context:
Blondie says this to Tuco in the Sad Hill Cemetery after he has killed Angel Eyes. He forces Tuco to dig for the gold, having already emptied Tuco's gun, thus demonstrating the truth of his statement.
Meaning:
This iconic line, delivered at the film's climax, perfectly encapsulates Blondie's cynical worldview and his position of power. It highlights the brutal simplicity of the world they inhabit, where power is determined by who holds the weapon. It's a pragmatic and unsentimental assessment of the situation.
When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk.
— Tuco Ramirez
Context:
Tuco says this after being confronted by a one-armed man seeking revenge. The man takes too long to monologue about his desire for vengeance, giving Tuco the opportunity to shoot him from his bathtub.
Meaning:
This line reveals Tuco's practical, if brutal, philosophy of survival. It's a piece of advice that contrasts with the often long and tense build-ups to violence in the film. It suggests that in a life-or-death situation, hesitation and posturing are fatal mistakes. Eli Wallach noted that this line became one of the most quoted from the movie.
If you miss you had better miss very well. Whoever double-crosses me and leaves me alive, he understands nothing about Tuco. Nothing!
— Tuco Ramirez
Context:
Tuco says this to Blondie early in the film during their bounty-hunting scam. It foreshadows Tuco's later pursuit of Blondie after Blondie abandons him in the desert.
Meaning:
This quote powerfully conveys Tuco's vengeful and unforgiving nature. It serves as a warning to Blondie and the audience that Tuco is not to be underestimated and that any betrayal will be met with relentless pursuit. It reveals the core of his character: a man who will not suffer being made a fool of.
I've never seen so many men wasted so badly.
— Blondie
Context:
Blondie says this to a dying Confederate soldier after giving him his poncho and a final puff of his cigar. They are on a battlefield, surrounded by the dead and dying, a stark illustration of the war's brutality.
Meaning:
This line is one of the film's most direct anti-war statements. Spoken by the usually detached and self-interested Blondie, it carries significant weight. It's a moment of genuine reflection on the senselessness of the Civil War and the tragic loss of life, showing a flicker of humanity beneath his hardened exterior.