Colonel/Manco alliance

[iceman]

Why did the Colonel risk giving away the alliance with Manco by shooting more apples from the tree. Didn't this give Indio the clue that they were working together

Ice

[iceman]

This is one of the stranger scenes in the movie.  On ly two rationales I can think of:

-Mortimer may think that there is a real chance the 3 locals won't back down from a fight with Manco, even after he demonstrates how good he shoots.  So he's gonna suggest he's on Manco's side, then talk his way out of things later.

-Or, he isn't trying to set himself up as a compadre of Manco's, but as a rival.

Like the second one ....seems logical

Ice

[mortimerforever]

Or he could be setting it up so when he helps in Indio later, the bandit won't turn on him.

[redyred]

Nah, he's just making a cool entrance.

[Juan]

Nah, he's just making a cool entrance.

I kinda agree with this.

I dont think Indio can see from his position whether, Manco has help or not, i think they just wait to see if Manco comes out alive. Mortimer can therefore make a cool entrance.

However even if Indio can see That Manco has help, so what? He might just think its a do gooder helping out. Why would he suspect that they are allies he cannot possibly hear what they are talking about, plus he does not know who Mortimer is.

[iceman]

Maybe Indios suspicion was aroused because Manco didn't appear shocked or surprised  when the Colonel shot the apples and they just appeared to ignore each other and went into the Tavern......

Ice

[Sancho]

I think Indio cud only see the apples being shot but not sure if there was any other person shooting ... other than Manco.

[Beebs]

I think Indio cud only see the apples being shot but not sure if there was any other person shooting ... other than Manco.

Well that's an interesting point. However, if Mr. Leone wanted it to be known that Indio thought it was just Manco shooting the apples he would make that clearer. But the Colonel's gun makes a distinctivly different sound than Manco as you know "every gun makes it's own tune"

I think personally that Lee van Cleef is just merely standing up for Manco and showing a challenge.
The look on the locals face is humorous and distinct though.

[Beebs]

I'm watching the movie as we speak and I can tell you Indio says to Manco "you shouldn't have shot all the apples off that tree" when he is caught. So he does know he shot the apples.

[Charlie Siringo]

It could be that the Colonel shot the apples from the tree to demonstate to Manco that Manco needed him!

Don't forget, up to then the Col. had only shot Manco's stetson and neck - much bigger targets - and Manco still didn't want him along. It was a final chance to convince b4 the real shooting starts.

[Beebs]

It could be that the Colonel shot the apples from the tree to demonstate to Manco that Manco needed him!

Don't forget, up to then the Col. had only shot Manco's stetson and neck - much bigger targets - and Manco still didn't want him along. It was a final chance to convince b4 the real shooting starts.

You know he's right. The two are always having some sort of shoot off. It is similar to the hat incident.