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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is an epic Western that follows the classic genre closely. The main aspect that places the film into the revisionist category is that its filmed location is in Spain. Without the familiar landscapes of home, the film loses its idealistic patriotism. Although this film is just as epic without it, focusing on the morals and motives of the characters.

The three main characters ("the good," "the bad," and "the ugly") are all introduced in the beginning half with text and a freeze frame on their face. Before they are completely introduced with their title, the director shows a situation they are in to help portray thei character.

When "Blondie" (Clint Eastwood) is introduced, he has already been seen saving Tuco (the ugly) in order to turn him into the sheriff for a reward. He then watches from far away to see Tuco get hanged. But as they hanging proceeds, Blondie shoots the rope so it breaks and Tuco runs free...The "good guy" is saving the criminal?

Falling away from the classic Western's virtuous and simple hero, this new hero has more questionable morals. His way is more difficult to figure out. Yet, through the music, and his actions and his speech, the audience trusts him. He is technically doing wrong by conning the government out of money for the rewards and helping a criminal escape, but we know that he is just and heroic.