Indio's smoke

[Walter]

The manner of smoking is important in this movie. All the three main characters smoke a lot, and in a different way.

But what is actually Indio smoking when he gets these weird lapses, especially after an act of violence?

I have read a long time ago that it is supposed to be a joint, but it doesn't quiet fit - he seems high even before he smokes it.

Has anybody read or heard about what might be in Indio's yellow, suspicious-looking cigarette?


(I quit smoking a week ago, perhaps this is why I think of this. And because I watched the movie again yesterday...)

[Groggy]

The manner of smoking is important in this movie. All the three main characters smoke a lot, and in a different way.

But what is actually Indio smoking when he gets these weird lapses, especially after an act of violence?

I have read a long time ago that it is supposed to be a joint, but it doesn't quiet fit - he seems high even before he smokes it.

Has anybody read or heard about what might be in Indio's yellow, suspicious-looking cigarette?


(I quit smoking a week ago, perhaps this is why I think of this. And because I watched the movie again yesterday...)

It's at least supposed to be pot; however, as Frayling notes (in STDWD, not sure of the page off the top of my head), Leone was using an "exaggerated" affect of the pot, rather than a realistic one.  

[Il Buono]

Yeah, I quit smoking too two weeks ago...  So maybe other guys didn't notice, but Indio takes his joint between his middle finger and his ring finger (or how do you call it?)  I've never seen anybody smoking this way, do you?

Concerning Indio being high or not, I think he's a madman 24/7, and at some points his head is ready to explode so he smokes some pot to calm himself down...

[Walter]

Yeah, I quit smoking too two weeks ago...  So maybe other guys didn't notice, but Indio takes his joint between his middle finger and his ring finger (or how do you call it?)  I've never seen anybody smoking this way, do you?

Concerning Indio being high or not, I think he's a madman 24/7, and at some points his head is ready to explode so he smokes some pot to calm himself down...

Yes, I think smoking the joint to calm down sounds reasonable. I asked the question because I was curious if the narcotic aspect was well known, or if I was barking up the wrong tree here. Glad to see that some of you share my thoughts.  

As for the weird way of holding the joint, I think it is a way of hinting that this is not just tobacco, in addition, it makes the smoking seem like a ritual of sorts.
Indio is not only calmed down, but he enjoys the high of the joint especially after killing. Remember how eagerly he waits for it after the first shooting, when he guns down the informer?


I don't know if it is of any value, but "indo" is Californian slang for pot. The slang word might be new, though. Or, for all I know, been lifted from this very movie....  

[Sackett]

Yeah, I've always thought it was pot too.  He makes it look like he is on something, besides just an unfortunate memory.

[The Smoker]

Weed soaked in opium maybe. Leone would use the later in another film.

[KERMIT]

weed soaked in formaldehyde ?  an old new orleans smoke called " click-em"  

il indio, human paraquat  

[COLONNA]

Leone's heroes have some kind addictions: Cigar-Joe, Pipe-Mortimer, Marijuana-El Indio, Chewing*/Tobacco-Frank,Opium-Noodles,  Nose*-Tobacco-Carson/Jacson... Tuco alone is an angel without any vice !

* sorry I don't know the right word in english.In french is Chiquer and Priser

[KERMIT]

Leone's heroes have some kind addictions: Cigar-Joe, Pipe-Mortimer, Marijuana-El Indio, Chewing*/Tobacco-Frank,Opium-Noodles,  Nose*-Tobacco-Carson/Jacson... Tuco alone is an angel without any vice !

* sorry I don't know the right word in english.In french is Chiquer and Priser

another kind of addiction would be bounty hunter after tuco who didn't shoot because he was talking so much.

[cigar joe]

In english its "snuff" what Carson/Jackson uses.

sorry I don't know the right word in english.In french is Chiquer and Priser

[KERMIT]

In english its "snuff" what Carson/Jackson uses.

we know who the snuff box belongs to because "that's bill carson's name on the box"-angeleyes  
the very snuff box tuco rip's off bill carson winds up bitting him in the ass as this is all the physical evidence angel eyes needs to know that either tuco or blondie know something he dosn't about the gold.
i always flinch when angel eyes mashes tuco's fingers on the snuffbox lid.  

[Walter]

Leone's heroes have some kind addictions: Cigar-Joe, Pipe-Mortimer, Marijuana-El Indio, Chewing*/Tobacco-Frank,Opium-Noodles,  Nose*-Tobacco-Carson/Jacson... Tuco alone is an angel without any vice !

* sorry I don't know the right word in english.In french is Chiquer and Priser

Angel and angel... He smokes on Blondie's abandoned cigar, receives another one after the visit to his brother and takes Carson's snuff.... When I was still smoking I hated those guys who never bought their own...

[The Smoker]

Yeah. dont ya just hate those guys.  

hes trying to give up smoking by giving up buying.. until your down the pub = your sharing
 

[KERMIT]

i've givin up ciggys. it just kills me evertime i see il indio take a long drag off what he's smoking.  

[Walter]

i've givin up ciggys. it just kills me evertime i see il indio take a long drag off what he's smoking.  

Heh. I thought we'd agreed that's not tobacco...  ;