Tuco's Expression

[Dirty Rat]

Just before the final dual when Tuco is slowly getting his pistol out of his pocket being watched by Angel Eyes, a real typical Leone style bit of shooting.
But what do you read from the expression on Tuco's face? He has an almost boyish look on his face towards the man that had him nearly beaten to death at the Betterville camp.

I have always wondered about this

[Cusser]

Hoping to even the score....

[Dirty Rat]

It still strikes me as requiring a little more discussion though......
More analysis needed I think.

[Jordan Krug]

I just think he's a more passionate character than the other two, the tension/excitement play across his face.  The other two are cool/collected and ready for battle, no matter what the outcome. I think for them, it's all about THIS moment, whereas Tuco is very nervous about losing the gold.

[Dirty Rat]

I just think he's a more passionate character than the other two, the tension/excitement play across his face.  The other two are cool/collected and ready for battle, no matter what the outcome. I think for them, it's all about THIS moment, whereas Tuco is very nervous about losing the gold.

I think you may be right there JK

[Prabal]

the look ( while taking pistol out from pocket) very rightly described as the look being " one hoping to even the score." However there is no tension on his face then. There is impatience on his face once all three have taken up their positions. During the actual build up, however, I feel it is Angel Eyes who looks the most tense of the three 
 In my opinion, the only person who seemed sure of himself was Blondie. Blondie looks only at Angel Eyes and only once, does he nod ever so gently towards Tuco. In hindsight, it all seems perfect for he knows that only Angel Eyes is threat to him To me, Angel Eyes looks the most tense of the three. He is constantly fidgeting and his hands are on the gun all the time. He is looking at both of others all the time. To me, if I ever have to define opportunism visually, it would be Tuco's face. Tuco is like that dog waiting to jump on the bone, barely being able to restrain himself and ready for the violent exercise. However, I do agree with the notion that Tuco was the one who cares most about the money.

[Smokey]

"I feel it is Angel Eyes who looks the most tense of the three..."

He should be. His targets are farthest apart! 

[drinkanddestroy]

That look on Tuco's face is a look saying "don't worry, I'm not trying to sneak my gun on you: I am only taking my pistol out of my pocket to prepare for the duel."

It's sort of a similar situation with Frank and Harmonica in OUATITW: Frank comes riding up to Harmonica who is whittling on a piece of wood; Harmonica's gun is lying next to him (I think it's on the post of a fence or something), and wrapped around the post is the empty gun belt. AS Harmonica throws away the piece of wood and stands up, he slowly picks up the pistol, holsters it, and puts on the belt, while Frank watches him carefully. He does this all very slowly, and smiles while he is doing it; if he made any sudden movements, Frank could assume he is trying to kill him, and Frank would draw and shoot.

So Harmonica slowly puts the gun into the holster and dons the belt, just as Tuco slowly takes the gun out his pocket; it's not the same expression on their face, but the point is the same: "I'm not pulling a fast one here; I am playing this straight, readying for the duel."

[emmo26]

Tuco and Blondie knew that AE was the biggest threat.  So they both aimed at him first.

However BLondie hedged his bets (emptied Tuco´s gun)... for the following reason

Tuco could have easly shot Blondie dead first because Blondie would be too busy shooting at AE.  Two dead guys and then Tuco runs away with all the gold.

[emmo26]

Not too sure if the above was discussed on QI....if one fella has a 40 percent accuracy opposed to the other guy who has a 80 percent record, who do you shoot first?

[drinkanddestroy]

why are you trying to overanalyze a simple concept: if there is a 3-way standoff, but one guy knows that only one of his opponents has a loaded gun, then BOOM, he wins the fight. Cuz AE has to be focused on two opponents, while Blondie is really only focused on one. So if he can unload Tuco's gun, the odds are significantly in his favor. Obviously. This concept is simple and straightforward and doesn't need any sort of academic overalanysis

[emmo26]

Yes D&D.

I agree.  The last thing I would want anyone to do, is to turn this truly great forum into a "star was" type nerd fest. 

[Senza]

I think it says, "I could easily kill you right now after what you did to me, but I'm going to play this fair."