Suspensions of Disbelief

[Cusser]

Most films require at least some suspensions of disbelief, and GBU is no exception.  These include Tuco getting his custom-made pistol back, Blondie dragging himself over to Bill Carson's carriage, Blondie able to shoot Tuco's rope from far away (even with that sight, mis-judged gravity drop could've plugged Tuco in the head), Angel Eyes as big shot at Prison Camp, etc.  But I thought that Leone did a good, subtle job of showing us that Tuco could read, and read English (map after leaving the mission, Angel Eyes' note), which would've been very uncommon for a Mexican at that time with virtually no schooling (U.S. literacy was quite low in those days); of course, this skill was needed to be able to read Arch Stanton's name later.  So this point was well done.

[SquareTex]

With regards to the custom pistol, it wouldn't surprise me if, after escaping, Tuco went and robbed ANOTHER storekeeper...and thus built a brand-new pistol.  

Of course, it's only a guess...  

[emjem]

Another suspension of disbelief: how did Blondie know that Tuco knew the name of the graveyard, and that there was gold buried in it?  How did he know Tuco didn't know the name on the grave?  What exactly were Carson's dying words?  

"I told that other guy the name of the graveyard where the gold is buried, but I didn't get a chance to tell him the name on the grave.  The gold is in the unmarked grave next to Arch Stanton's"

Seems awfully chatty for a dying guy!

--Mike

[CalamityJane]

 The only logical answer I can figure is that Blondie picked up where Tuco left off where Bill Carson was talking about the gold and the cemetary.  BC told Tuco the name, but when Tuco went to fetch him some wata', BC told Blondie the name of the grave.   When he was telling Blondie the name of the grave, he probably just spit out the name in a whisper, then died.  Blondie caught on to what BC and Tuco were talking about before he got there.  He could have also been on the side of the wagon, listening to Tuco's threats and heard him mention the gold coins when Tuco was shaking BC up in the wagon.   It's also possible that Blondie got wind of the gold coins right from the beginning and was searching for it just as Angel Eyes was in the start of the movie.   Does any of this make sense to you?  I know it's a long explanation, but I'm just trying to explain it the best way I can and thoroughly - that's all.    Hope this helps.