The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (soundtrack)

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Soundtrack album by
Ennio Morricone
Released1966 (original album)
2004 (remastered, expanded)
GenreContemporary classical
Length33:13 (original release)
53:03 (2004 re-release)
172:38 (2020 re-release)
LabelEMI America
Capitol Records
Quartet Records (2020 expansion)
ProducerEnnio Morricone
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic link
Blender link[permanent dead link‍]
SoundtrackNet link
Music from the Movies

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released in 1966 alongside the Western film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, directed by Sergio Leone. The score is composed by frequent Leone collaborator Ennio Morricone, whose distinctive original compositions, containing gunfire, whistling, and yodeling permeate the film. The main theme, resembling the howling of a coyote, is a two-note melody that is a frequent motif, and is used for the three main characters, with a different instrument used for each one: flute for Blondie, arghilofono for Angel Eyes, and human voices for Tuco.[1][2]

Among other elements, the score complements the film's American Civil War scenes, containing the mournful ballad "The Story of a Soldier", which is sung by prisoners as Tuco is being tortured by Angel Eyes.[3] The film's famous climax, a three-way Mexican standoff, begins with the melody of "The Ecstasy of Gold" and is followed by "The Trio".

The main theme was a hit in 1968. The soundtrack album was on the charts for more than a year,[2] reaching No. 4 on the Billboard pop album chart and No. 10 on the black album chart.[4] The main theme was also a hit for American musician Hugo Montenegro, whose rendition on the Moog synthesizer was a No. 2 Billboard pop single in 1968.[5][6][7] In 2008, the score was featured in the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live.[8][9]

The album was remastered and re-released on Capitol Records on May 18, 2004, which had ten additional musical cues from the film. A European release by GDM music in 2001 contains even more music, with a running time of 59:30.[6][7] In 2020, a three-disc release presenting the complete score and the original album was issued by the Spanish label Quartet Records.[10]

  1. ^ McDonald, Steven. "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly > Overview". AllMusic. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  2. ^ a b Edwards, Mark (2007-04-01). "The good, the brave and the brilliant". The Times. London. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  3. ^ Yezbick, Daniel (2002). "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly". St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture. Gale Group. Retrieved 2006-05-23.
  4. ^ "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly charts and awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  5. ^ "Hugo Montenegro > Charts & Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  6. ^ a b Torikian, Messrob. "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". SoundtrackNet. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  7. ^ a b Mansell, John. "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". Music from the Movies. Archived from the original on 2007-02-17. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  8. ^ "The Police, Queen, Morricone Honoured At Grammy Hall Of Fame". Uncut. 1 December 2008. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  9. ^ Kreps, Daniel (1 December 2008). "Grammys Induct Jimi Hendrix, Queen Recordings Into Hall Of Fame". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  10. ^ "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (3-CD)".