The Characters

 Manco

Clint Eastwood plays the lead role of the "man with no name", the trademark poncho and cigarillo make him an instantly recognisble character. It is intresting to note from the way that Blondie dresses that in order of the story, this is the first film of the trilogy. When he sees a dying soldier on the floor, Blondie bends over and picks up the poncho that has become a trademark of the character, and is clearly recognisible in the two other films.

The character redefined the way in which hero`s were viewed in film, as the birth of the original anti - hero was established. A cold killer, who plays by his own rules.

Originally however Eastwood did not figure in Leone's plans for the character, and was only asked when Henry Fonda, James Coburn & Charles Bronson turned down the part.

Colonel Mortimer

Originally planned for a number of other actors including Henry Fonda, Lee Marvin and also Charles Bronson, when all these actors rejected, Leone approached Lee Van Cleef. At this time Van Cleef had not appeared in a film for three years and was employed as a landscape painter.

In the film the character of Colnel Mortimer has almost a father - son relationship with Manco, the character also does not appear in the film all that often and his relevance is only revealed in almost the last scene of the movie.

El Indio

Of all the characters who appear in the three films, I personally find the character of El Indio the most interesting. His merciless killing is almost as much of a habit as the drugs which he takes. It seems as if he one day almost hopes that someone will kill him. He is wracked by the guilt caused by the killing of Mortimer's sister and the time - piece which he carries is a constant reminder of this.

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