60 Years Later, the Greatest Spaghetti Western of All Time Stages Comeback on Digital Charts

Amid a massive new wave of interest in Westerns, one of the genre's greatest hits is finding success on streaming. The movie in question, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, also happens to be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Directed by Sergio Leone, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is considered the cornerstone of the subgenre known as Spaghetti Westerns — these were epic Westerns produced in Italy. Quentin Tarantino is a huge fan, having been directly inspired by Leone's films over the years. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly starred the legendary Clint Eastwood, and was a part of Leone's "Dollars Trilogy," which also included the films For a Few Dollars More and A Fistful of Dollars.

According to FlixPatrol, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was among the most-watched movies on the domestic Tubi charts this week. The movie followed three gunslingers looking for buried gold during the American Civil War. It also featured Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach in supporting roles. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was a massive box office success, grossing nearly $40 million worldwide against a reported budget of just over $1 million. It holds a "Certified Fresh" 97% score from critics and audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics' consensus reads, "Arguably the greatest of the Spaghetti Westerns, this epic features a compelling story, memorable performances, breathtaking landscapes, and a haunting score."

Clint Eastwood Is a Western Icon

The film has achieved legendary status for its stylized gunfights, lavish cinematography, and for Ennio Morricone's iconic score. However, it wasn't as acclaimed upon its original release. Famously, Roger Ebert admitted that he had sold the movie short by giving it just three stars; he later added it to his "Great Movies" list. Leone followed it up a couple of years later with another Spaghetti Western, Once Upon a Time in the West. The movie is now regarded as a classic, but unlike The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, it flopped in its initial box office run. Eastwood went on to establish himself as a Hollywood icon, and, in addition to starring in memorable Westerns, he also directed many. His last film as director, Juror #2, was released only a couple of years ago.

You can watch The Good, the Bad and the Ugly on Tubi, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

Release Date December 22, 1966

Runtime 161 minutes

Writers Agenore Incrocci, Furio Scarpelli, Luciano Vincenzoni, Sergio Leone, Mickey Knox

Producers Alberto Grimaldi

Cast

• 
•